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Dedryck Boyata
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Dedryck Anga Boyata (born 28 November 1990) is a Belgian former footballer who played as a centre-back or right-back.
Key Information
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He made his senior debut with Manchester City in 2010, and was their Young Player of the Year for 2009–10. For the 2011–12 season he was loaned to Bolton Wanderers, and for the first half of 2012–13 he was at FC Twente. In 2015, he moved to Celtic for around £1.5 million. In summer 2019 Boayata joined Hertha BSC.
Boyata has been capped by Belgium at youth and senior level, making his senior debut in 2010. He was part of their squad that came third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Club career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Born in Uccle, Belgium, Boyata started his career in the youth team at Brussels before joining Manchester City in 2006. He was part of City's 2008 FA Youth Cup winning side, starting in both legs of the final against Chelsea.[4][5] He won City's Academy Player of the Month award for April 2009.[6] He was one of seven Academy players from his year to be promoted to training with the senior players from the start of the 2009–10 season.[7]
Manchester City
[edit]Boyata made his first team debut against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round on 2 January 2010, playing centre-back and helping his side to a 1–0 win at the Riverside Stadium.[8] His league debut was as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers nine days later, replacing Martin Petrov in the 86th minute of a 4–1 home win.[9] His first start in the Premier League came away against Hull City on 6 February. He was named young player of the 2009–10 season for his efforts during both legs of the League Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester United.
Early in the 2010–11 season he scored the second goal in the Europa League play-off match against FC Timişoara on 26 August, his first for the club. His form continued to improve and was chosen to start against Chelsea on 25 September, who had been undefeated in the start of the season. Boyata played the match at right-back and put in a good performance as City kept a clean sheet to win the match 1–0.[10] He was shown a red card just five minutes into a 3–0 home loss against Arsenal on 24 October, for fouling Marouane Chamakh while being the last man before goal.[11] In total he clocked up 17 appearances during the season and was an unused substitute as Manchester City won the 2010–11 FA Cup.[12] After that, Boyata spent a large part of the next two seasons away on loan, first at fellow Premier League club Bolton Wanderers and then in the Netherlands with FC Twente.[13]
Loan moves
[edit]On 26 August 2011, Boyata joined Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan.[14] He made his starting-eleven debut for Bolton Wanderers on 10 September playing the full game of Bolton's 5–0 home defeat to Manchester United.[15] On 2 October 2011, Boyata scored his first goal for Bolton Wanderers in 5-1 away defeat against Chelsea.[16] Boyata sustained an ankle injury in the 2–0 loss to Sunderland on 22 October and the injury, which kept him out for six weeks, meant that Boyata, as part of his loan agreement, returned to Manchester City for treatment. He returned to the Bolton starting line up in the match at Tottenham Hotspur on 3 December.
On 31 August 2012, Boyata left Manchester City to join Dutch Eredivisie club FC Twente on a short-term loan.[17] He made 8 appearances for FC Twente before rejoining Manchester City on 8 January 2013.[18]
Return to Manchester City
[edit]Boyata made his first Manchester City appearance in over two years when he started in a League Cup third round match versus Wigan Athletic on 24 September 2013. He helped his side keep a clean sheet in a 5–0 win, and came close to opening the scoring himself in the first half with a header that was tipped over the bar by the Wigan goalkeeper.[19] On 4 January 2014, he was sent off for two bookings in the third round of the FA Cup, in a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.[20] He was not included in City's matchday squad as they defeated Sunderland in the League Cup Final.[21] Manchester City won the Premier League in 2013–14 but Boyata was not eligible for a medal as he made just one league appearance all season.[22] On 28 May, Boyata signed a contract extension with Manchester City, which was due to keep him at the club until 2016.[23]
On 10 August, Boyata played the full 90 minutes as City opened the season with a 3–0 defeat to Arsenal in the 2014 FA Community Shield.[24] In all, he made six appearances in his final season, with one start from two in the league.[13]
Celtic
[edit]
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Boyata signed for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on a four-year contract on 2 June 2015, for a fee of about £1.5 million.[25]
He made his competitive debut on 15 July in a Champions League qualifier at Celtic Park against Stjarnan, scoring the opening goal in a 2–0 win,[26] and headed Kris Commons's cross for the late only goal against Qarabağ FK two weeks later in the third qualifying round.[27] However, Celtic's defence was generally poor in the first half of the season, during which the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.[28] Boyata was singled out for criticism for his performances, notably where he gave away a penalty with a "clumsy" foul during a 2–1 defeat away at Aberdeen,[29] and also for some of the goals conceded during Celtic's run in the UEFA Europa League.[30]
Boyata found himself out of the team at the start of season 2016–17, but worked hard in the gym to improve his fitness.[31] His first start (and appearance) of season came in the 1–0 Scottish Premiership victory at Kilmarnock on 18 November 2016.[32] Boyata did not make his second appearance of the season until the 3–0 Scottish Cup victory at Albion Rovers on 22 January 2017.[33] He scored two goals in his next three league appearances at Celtic Park,[34] both headers from set-pieces, in 1–0 wins against St Johnstone and Aberdeen respectively.[35][36] Boyata re-established himself in the team, having followed advice from manager Brendan Rodgers: "He [Rodgers] wanted me just to play simple and to play as I did in training and he said that everything would go well if I did whatever he told me."[37]
Hertha BSC
[edit]In May 2019, Boyata joined Hertha BSC on a free transfer.[38][39] He made his competitive debut on 14 September on the fourth matchday of the domestic league in a 2–1 loss to Mainz 05, coming on as a late substitute for Javairô Dilrosun.[40] Boyata scored his first goal for his new club on 29 September, completing the scoring in a 4–0 victory over 1. FC Köln.[41]
Ahead of the season 2020–21, Boyata replaced Vedad Ibišević as Hertha captain.[42]
Club Brugge and retirement
[edit]On 22 August 2022, Boyata signed for Belgian First Division A side Club Brugge on a three-year contract.[43]
Boyata was not registered in Brugge's 2024–25 Champions League squad, meaning he missed the chance to face his former team, Celtic, in the league stage.[44]
On 3 January 2025, he departed by mutual agreement.[45]
Boyata announced his retirement from football on 12 August 2025.[46]
International career
[edit]Youth teams
[edit]Boyata played 12 matches for the Belgium under-19s, scoring two goals. Boyata made his Belgium U21 debut in a 1–0 win over Malta on 3 March 2010.[47] Five months later, he received his first senior international call-up when he was named in the squad for a friendly against Finland.[48] He continued to show some impressive performances as he was promoted to a full first team player for Manchester City.
Senior team
[edit]
Belgium manager Georges Leekens selected Boyata for two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Austria in late 2010.[49] He didn't play against Kazakhstan, but made his debut against Austria on 10 October 2010, coming on as a half time substitute for Toby Alderweireld in a 4–4 draw.[13] He received a call up for a friendly match against Slovenia in August 2011, but did not play.[50]
He was recalled to the Belgium squad in October 2015 for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Andorra and Israel.[51] He didn't play in either of these games, but was called up again for a friendly against Portugal on 29 March 2016.[50] He won his second cap in that game when he came on as a substitute after 86 minutes for Jason Denayer.[50][52]
In May 2018 he was named in Belgium’s preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[53] On 4 June 2018, Boyata was named in the final 23-man squad for Belgium at the 2018 World Cup.[54] He played every minute of Belgium's group stage games at the 2018 World Cup, however he was dropped for the knockout stage as Belgium finished third.[55][56]
In June 2021, Boyata was called up to Belgium's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He played 2 games in the tournament.[57]
Personal life
[edit]Boyata is from Uccle, a suburb of Brussels[58] and is known to have a good relationship with former Manchester City and Belgium team-mate Vincent Kompany.[59] His father Bienvenu Mandungu Boyata is a former Congolese footballer, who played during the 1990s in Belgium for Union Saint-Gilloise and Stade Leuven.[60]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 4 February 2024[13]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 2009–10[61] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11[62] | Premier League | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[a] | 1 | — | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2013–14[63] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15[64] | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 13 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 2011–12[65] | Premier League | 14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||
| Twente (loan) | 2012–13[66] | Eredivisie | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[a] | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Celtic | 2015–16[67] | Scottish Premiership | 26 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12[c] | 2 | — | 42 | 6 | |
| 2016–17[67] | Scottish Premiership | 17 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 5 | ||
| 2017–18[67] | Scottish Premiership | 28 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5[d] | 0 | — | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2018–19[67] | Scottish Premiership | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8[a] | 0 | — | 32 | 1 | ||
| Total | 90 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 25 | 2 | — | 135 | 15 | |||
| Hertha BSC | 2019–20[68] | Bundesliga | 28 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 29 | 4 | |||
| 2020–21[69] | Bundesliga | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||||
| 2021–22[70] | Bundesliga | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2[e] | 1 | 27 | 1 | |||
| 2022–23[71] | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 70 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 76 | 6 | ||||
| Club Brugge | 2022–23 | Belgian Pro League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[d] | 0 | — | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | Belgian Pro League | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 4[f] | 1 | — | 12 | 1 | |||
| Total | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | — | 26 | 1 | ||||
| Career total | 208 | 18 | 30 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 297 | 24 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield
- ^ Six appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearances in Bundesliga relegation play-offs
- ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
International
[edit]- As of match played 11 June 2022[72]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 31 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]Manchester City U18
Manchester City
Celtic
- Scottish Premiership: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19[citation needed]
- Scottish Cup: 2016–17, 2017–18[citation needed]
- Scottish League Cup: 2017–18,[74] 2018–19[citation needed]
Club Brugge
Belgium
- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018[citation needed]
Individual
- Manchester City Young Player of the Year Award: 2010[75]
- PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2018–19 Scottish Premiership[76]
References
[edit]- ^ "FIFA World Cup Russia 2018: List of Players: Belgium" (PDF). FIFA. 15 July 2018. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Pickup, Oliver (4 April 2008). "FA Youth Cup Final: Man City have the edge". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ Ogden, Mark (17 April 2008). "FA Youth Cup: Manchester City beat Chelsea good and proper!!". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ "Brazil ace collects April Thomas Cook acolade [sic]". Official website. Manchester City FC. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ "City's Likely Lads". Manchester Evening News. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- ^ "Jonge Belg Dedryck Boyata voor het eerst in basis Manchester City". Gazet Van Antwerpen (in Dutch). Concentra Media. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
- ^ "Man City 4-1 Blackburn". 11 January 2010 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "City 1–0 Chelsea". mcfc.co.uk. Manchester City FC. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
- ^ "Man City 0–3 Arsenal". BBC News. 24 October 2010.
- ^ a b McNulty, Phil (14 May 2011). "Man City 1 – 0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "D. Boyata". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ "Boyata loaned to Bolton for rest of the season". Official website. Manchester City FC. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ "Premier League (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ "Bolton 1-5 Chelsea". 2 October 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ "Boyata completes FC Twente loan switch". Official website. Manchester City FC. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ "Manchester City recall Dedryck Boyata from loan spell at FC Twente". The Guardian. 8 January 2013.
- ^ "Man City 5 – 0 Wigan". BBC Sport. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ Bevan, Chris (4 January 2014). "Blackburn Rovers 1 – 1 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (2 March 2014). "Man City 3 – 1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ "Boyata signs new deal". Official website. Manchester City FC. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (10 August 2014). "Arsenal 3–0 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata: Celtic sign Manchester City defender". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
- ^ "Celtic 2 – 0 Stjarnan". BBC Sport. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ "Celtic 1–0 FK Qarabag". BBC Sport. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- ^ Murray, Ewan (1 October 2015). "Celtic pay price for defensive lapses to let Fenerbahce claim a draw". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Moffat, Colin (12 September 2015). "Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Halliday, Stephen (5 November 2015). "Celtic: Ambrose and Boyata in line to face Molde". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ Cameron, Neil (18 February 2017). "The life story of Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata makes your root for a man who came from nothing". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "Kilmarnock 0-1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Albion Rovers 0-3 Celtic: It's three and easy for Celtic". Scotsman. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ "Celtic 1:0 St Johnstone". BBC. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Celtic 1:0 Aberdeen". BBC. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ "Brendan Rodgers told me to keep it simple, says Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata". The Sunday Post. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata: Celtic defender signs for Hertha Berlin". BBC News. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ "Hertha BSC verpflichtet Boyata" (in German). Hertha BSC. 20 May 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Mainz vs. Hertha Berlin – 14 September 2019". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "Hertha routs 10-man Cologne 4-0, Freiburg moves 3rd". Fox Sports. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Ibisevic-Nachfolger gefunden: Boyata neuer Hertha-Kapitän". kicker (in German). 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "Red Devil Dedryck Boyata signs deal with Club". Club Brugge KV. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ McDermott, Scott (24 November 2024). "Celtic Invincible's pain at missing Parkhead return in Champions League". Daily Record.
- ^ Former Celtic treble winner left without a club as contract terminated
- ^ "Former Hertha Berlin, Celtic and Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata retires from football at the age of 34".
- ^ "EK-kwalificatiewedstrijd: België – Malta 1–0". footbel.be. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
- ^ "First senior call-up for Boyata". Official website. Manchester City FC. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ^ "Belgian FA – Boyata caps". Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- ^ a b c "Dedryck Boyata". Royal Belgian Football Association. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ "Belgium make sweeping changes for Euro 2016 double-header". Sky Sports. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ "Portugal 2 - 1 Belgique". Royal Belgian Football Association. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- ^ "World Cup 2018: Belgium announce initial 28-man squad for Russia". The Independent. 21 May 2018.
- ^ "Kompany included but Benteke misses out". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018.
- ^ Online, Record Sport (2 July 2018). "Dedryck Boyata dropped from Belgium side for World Cup last 16 clash with Japan". dailyrecord. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
- ^ "Belgium defeats England 2-0 in third place match at FIFA World Cup". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ UEFA.com. "Dedryck Boyata - Belgium - UEFA EURO 2020". UEFA. Retrieved 29 October 2021.[dead link]
- ^ "Dedryk Boyata, la surprise belge de Roberto Mancini à Manchester City" (in French). actu24. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- ^ "Boyata : " Kompany m'aide beaucoup "". Footgoal.net. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata, l'option back droit de Georges Leekens?". Sport Foot Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Dedryck Boyata | Football Stats | Celtic | Age 24 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Dedryck Boyata in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ "Dedryck Boyata". EU-Football.info. 30 October 2018.
- ^ "CITY WIN FA YOUTH CUP". mancity.com. Manchester City. 16 April 2008.
- ^ "Motherwell 0 - 2 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ^ "Boyata's Young Player of the Year Award". ManCity. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
- ^ "James Forrest, Steve Clarke & Ryan Kent win PFA Scotland annual awards". BBC Sport. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
External links
[edit]
- Profile at the Club Brugge KV website
- Dedryck Boyata at the Royal Belgian Football Association
- Dedryck Boyata – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Dedryck Boyata – FIFA competition record (archived)
Belgium squads | |||||||||||||||
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Dedryck Boyata
View on GrokipediaEarly life and background
Family and heritage
Anga Dedryck Boyata was born on 28 November 1990 in Uccle, a municipality in Brussels, Belgium.[1] His father, Bienvenu Mandungu Boyata, is a former professional footballer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, born on 5 November 1963, who played as an attacker in Belgium during the 1990s for clubs including Union Saint-Gilloise and Stade Leuven.[10] Little public information is available about his mother, but Boyata's Belgian nationality stems from his birth in the country.[3] Boyata's father played a significant role in introducing him to football from an early age, sharing his passion for the sport and providing encouragement during challenging periods in his career.[11] As a former player himself, Bienvenu Mandungu Boyata instilled a deep appreciation for the game, drawing from his experiences in Congolese and Belgian football environments.[12] This dual Belgian-Congolese heritage profoundly shaped Boyata's upbringing in the diverse, multicultural setting of Brussels, fostering a bicultural identity that reflects the city's immigrant influences.[13] Like fellow Belgian international Vincent Kompany, Boyata shares roots tracing back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo through his paternal lineage, highlighting a common thread among players of mixed heritage in the national team.[14]Early football development
Dedryck Boyata began his organized football journey in the youth ranks of local Brussels clubs, starting with RCS Saint-Josse and White Star Woluwe before joining RWDM Brussels FC in 2003 at the age of 12. His early experiences in these Belgian youth setups laid the foundation for his defensive skills, influenced by his father's legacy as a former Congolese professional footballer who competed in Belgium's lower leagues during the 1990s.[16] In 2006, at age 15, Boyata was scouted and recruited to Manchester City's academy after impressing overseas talent spotters.[17] Upon arrival in England, he adapted swiftly to the more intense and physical style of English youth football, progressing rapidly through the under-18 team where he contributed to their FA Youth Cup victory in 2008.[18] This period marked his transition to a dedicated centre-back role, capitalizing on his growing physical presence—he reached a height of 1.88 meters (6 ft 2 in)—with initial training emphasizing aerial duels and positioning to build his commanding defensive stature.[1]Club career
Early career
Boyata signed his first professional contract with Manchester City in 2008, having progressed through the club's academy after joining from the youth setup of FC Brussels in 2006.[19][17] He made his senior debut on 2 January 2010, starting as a centre-back in Manchester City's 1–0 FA Cup third-round win over Middlesbrough at Eastlands.[17][3] In the 2009–10 season, Boyata received limited first-team opportunities, registering two appearances in the Premier League as a substitute and one start.[20][21]Manchester City
Boyata joined Manchester City in 2008 after joining from the youth setup of FC Brussels and made his senior debut for the club on 2 January 2010, starting in a 1–0 FA Cup third-round victory over Middlesbrough.[21] To gain further first-team experience, Boyata was loaned to Bolton Wanderers on 26 August 2011 for the duration of the 2011–12 Premier League season, where he made 14 appearances and scored once against Manchester United.[22][23][5] He returned to City at the end of the loan and was part of the squad that won the 2011–12 Premier League title, though he did not feature in competitive matches that season.[5] On 31 August 2012, Boyata joined FC Twente on a season-long loan in the Eredivisie, but his time there was limited to five appearances before Manchester City recalled him on 8 January 2013.[24][25][5] Upon his return, Boyata became a more regular squad member, featuring intermittently across competitions. In the 2013–14 season, he made six appearances across competitions, including four in the League Cup (contributing to their win, with a start in the third-round victory over Wigan Athletic), one in the FA Cup, and one in the Premier League.[5][26] The following year, he added two Premier League appearances and was part of the squad for the 2014–15 Premier League and League Cup wins.[5] Over his full tenure at City from 2009 to 2015, Boyata accumulated 23 senior appearances across all competitions without scoring.[5][3][17] Boyata's contract with Manchester City expired at the end of the 2014–15 season, allowing him to depart on a free transfer to Celtic in June 2015.[27]Celtic
Dedryck Boyata joined Celtic from Manchester City in June 2015 for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract that would keep him at the club until 2019.[28] Bringing prior experience from the English Premier League, where he had made sporadic appearances for Manchester City, Boyata arrived seeking consistent first-team football.[27] His debut came in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Stjarnan, where he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 victory, helping Celtic advance.[29] Boyata's breakthrough came during the 2016–17 season, when he established himself as a key defender, making 42 appearances across all competitions and scoring 4 goals.[30] He was pivotal in Celtic's historic "Invincibles" Treble, as the team completed an unbeaten domestic campaign, winning the Scottish Premiership without a loss while also securing the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup. In the league alone, Boyata featured in 17 matches, contributing 5 goals, including crucial headers that underscored his aerial prowess and set-piece threat.[31] From 2017 to 2019, Boyata became a consistent starter in Celtic's defense, forming a reliable partnership that bolstered the team's dominance in Scottish football.[30] He played a significant role in securing four consecutive Scottish Premiership titles between 2015–16 and 2018–19, along with additional domestic cup successes, including two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups during his tenure.[4] Boyata's composure and physicality were particularly evident in UEFA Champions League qualifiers, where his defensive solidity helped Celtic progress in multiple campaigns, often shutting out opponents in high-stakes ties. Over his four seasons at Celtic, Boyata amassed 90 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, scoring 12 goals, while totaling 138 outings and 12 goals across all competitions.[5] His contributions were instrumental in Celtic's sustained period of domestic supremacy, marked by robust defending and timely offensive interventions from the backline.[30]Hertha BSC
Dedryck Boyata joined Hertha BSC on a free transfer from Celtic on 1 July 2019, signing a long-term contract after his previous deal expired.[32] He made his competitive debut for the club on 14 September 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 Bundesliga defeat to FC Augsburg.[33] Drawing on his defensive experience from Celtic, Boyata quickly adapted to the Bundesliga's demands, establishing himself as a reliable centre-back.[34] In the 2019–20 season, Boyata featured in 27 Bundesliga matches, scoring once as Hertha finished 10th in the league. He maintained a strong presence the following year, appearing in 27 league games and netting three goals, while also being appointed club captain ahead of the 2020–21 campaign. His leadership and consistent performances earned him a contract extension in August 2021, securing his stay until June 2024.[35] The 2021–22 season proved challenging due to multiple injuries, including a torn thigh muscle in March 2021 that sidelined him for several weeks and a right ankle ligament tear in January 2022, which kept him out for approximately four weeks.[36][37] These setbacks limited him to 16 Bundesliga appearances and one goal that year. Over his three seasons with Hertha, Boyata made 70 Bundesliga appearances and scored five goals in total.[38] Boyata departed Hertha BSC in August 2022, transferring to Club Brugge for a reported fee of €1.5 million despite his contract running until 2024.[39]Club Brugge
In August 2022, Boyata signed a three-year contract with Club Brugge, returning to Belgian football following his time at Hertha BSC.[40][41] The transfer fee was reported as €1.4 million, with the move allowing him to return to the Belgian Pro League.[42] During the 2022–23 season, Boyata featured in 16 league appearances for Club Brugge, providing defensive stability as the team mounted a strong challenge for the title, ultimately finishing second in the championship playoffs behind Genk.[5] His contributions helped the side secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage. Boyata's involvement diminished in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons due to recurring injuries, heightened competition in the defensive line, and reported tensions, limiting him to just 10 appearances across all competitions as Club Brugge clinched the 2023–24 league title. His limited role was amid reported tensions, with Boyata later describing his treatment as disrespectful in a November 2024 interview, contributing to the mutual termination.[5][43] His original contract, set to expire in summer 2025, was mutually terminated on 3 January 2025.[41] Following his departure from Club Brugge, Boyata remained without a club from January to August 2025.[29]International career
Youth international career
He progressed to the U19 level with call-ups in 2008 and 2009, accumulating 12 caps and scoring 2 goals across friendlies and competitive matches during this period.[44] Boyata made his U21 debut on 3 March 2010 in a 1–0 friendly victory over Malta, marking a key step in his development.[7] Over the following years, he earned a total of 10 caps for the U21 side between 2010 and 2012, featuring in friendlies as well as qualifiers for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[44]Senior international career
Boyata made his senior international debut for Belgium on 12 October 2010, entering as a half-time substitute for Toby Alderweireld during a 4–4 draw with Austria in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier at King Baudouin Stadium.[45] Following a successful youth international career, this appearance marked his transition to the senior setup under coach Georges Leekens.[3] Over the course of his international tenure, Boyata earned 31 caps for the Red Devils between 2010 and 2021, without scoring a goal.[9] He featured notably in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, contributing to Belgium's successful campaign that secured their return to the tournament after a 12-year absence, though he did not make the final squad.[46] Boyata was selected for Belgium's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he deputized for the injured Kompany by starting the opening group stage match against Panama—a 3–0 victory—and making two additional appearances against Tunisia and England as Belgium advanced to the semi-finals and ultimately finished third. His performances highlighted his aerial strength and composure in high-stakes games. Boyata also featured in UEFA Euro 2020, starting in the group stage matches against Russia (3–0 win) and Denmark (2–0 win) in June 2021, helping Belgium top Group B before advancing to the quarter-finals.[47][48] Boyata's final international appearance came on 16 November 2021, starting in a 1–1 World Cup qualifying draw against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, after which he was no longer called up to the national team.[49]Post-playing career
Retirement
Dedryck Boyata officially announced his retirement from professional football on 12 August 2025, at the age of 34, following a seven-month period without a club after leaving Club Brugge in January 2025.[50][51] This decision came after he had been training with several clubs in hopes of securing a new contract, but ultimately chose to step away from the game after failing to secure one following his release from Club Brugge due to limited playing time and performance concerns.[52][50] Boyata reflected on his 17-year professional career that encompassed 245 club appearances and 26 goals across multiple leagues.[30] In his farewell statement, Boyata shared an emotional message expressing deep gratitude to key chapters of his career, particularly Manchester City for launching his professional path, Celtic for the successful and memorable years in Scotland, and the Belgium national team for the international honors and camaraderie.[53] He described the decision as bittersweet but right for his future, closing the door on a career marked by resilience and achievement.[54]Coaching career
Following his retirement from professional football, Dedryck Boyata joined the technical staff of the Belgium U21 national team on 12 August 2025.[8] This move came shortly after he ended his playing career at Club Brugge, marking his transition into coaching within the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA).[55] Boyata supports head coach Gill Swerts alongside assistant coach Nill De Pauw and goalkeeper coach Bram Castro, contributing to the development of young talents for potential transition to the senior Red Devils squad, including preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers leading to EURO 2027.[8] Drawing from his background as a central defender with 31 caps for the senior Belgium national team, he aids in bridging the gap from youth to professional levels.[8]Personal life
Family and relationships
Dedryck Boyata married his long-term partner Manon in June 2017 in Belgium, and his family has remained closely connected despite his professional commitments abroad.[56] The couple has a daughter, born around 2019.[57] Boyata's family accompanied him during his club relocations, including a move to Glasgow in 2015 for his stint with Celtic, where his wife later reflected on the positive experiences they shared there.[29] Following his transfer to Hertha BSC in 2019, the family settled in Berlin, adapting to life in Germany until his departure in 2022.[58] His return to Club Brugge brought the family back to Belgium, closer to extended relatives. Manon has provided consistent support during Boyata's career, including attending key international matches such as Belgium's 2018 World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, where she was seen in the stands alongside family members.[59] This presence extended to his recovery periods from injuries, with family offering encouragement throughout his professional challenges, as noted in reflections on their role in his career stability.[60]Citizenship and heritage
Dedryck Boyata holds Belgian citizenship by birth, having been born on 28 November 1990 in Uccle, a municipality of Brussels.[3] His father, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a former player for the Congolese national team, provided Boyata with eligibility to represent the DRC at the international level; however, Boyata consistently chose to play for Belgium across all youth and senior categories, accumulating 31 caps for the Red Devils.[61][47] Boyata's mixed Belgian-Congolese heritage reflects the diverse backgrounds within the Belgian national team, where several players share African ancestry.[14] Growing up in the linguistically diverse environment of Brussels—a region where French and Dutch predominate alongside English in professional contexts—Boyata developed multilingual proficiency, facilitating his career across Belgium, England, Scotland, and Germany.[62]Career statistics and honours
Club statistics
Dedryck Boyata amassed 299 appearances and scored 24 goals across his senior club career, spanning six clubs from 2008 to 2025, with 12 assists, 40 yellow cards, and 6 red cards.[38] These figures encompass all competitions, including domestic leagues, cups, and European tournaments (senior matches only). His career totals reflect consistent defensive contributions, particularly during his peak years at Celtic and Hertha BSC, though later seasons at Club Brugge were impacted by injuries, such as a knee issue in 2022–23 that caused him to miss 13 matches.Breakdown by Club
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 35 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| FC Twente (loan) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Celtic | 135 | 15 | 9 | 16 | 2 |
| Hertha BSC | 76 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 2 |
| Club Brugge | 26 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 299 | 24 | 12 | 40 | 6 |
Bolton Wanderers (2011–12, on loan from Manchester City)
Boyata's early senior appearances came at Bolton in the English Premier League and cups during the 2011–12 season, where he featured as a young defender.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | FA Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Manchester City (2009–15)
At Manchester City, Boyata alternated between first-team and loan spells, contributing in the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League qualifiers (senior appearances only). Aggregate: 35 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists, 4 yellow cards, 1 red card.FC Twente (2012–13, on loan)
Boyata's brief stint in the Netherlands included Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and UEFA Europa League matches.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Eredivisie | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012–13 | KNVB Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012–13 | UEFA Europa League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Celtic (2015–2019)
Boyata's most prolific club period was at Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, cups, and European competitions, where he helped secure multiple titles (cross-referenced in Honours). Aggregate: 135 appearances, 15 goals, 9 assists, 16 yellow cards, 2 red cards.Hertha BSC (2019–2022)
In the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, Boyata provided defensive stability, with occasional goals from set pieces.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–22 | Bundesliga | 70 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 2 |
| 2019–22 | DFB-Pokal | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–22 | Bundesliga Playoffs | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 76 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 2 |
Club Brugge (2022–2025)
Boyata's final club saw limited appearances due to injuries, particularly in the 2023–24 season where he managed only 4 league starts amid recovery from a knee injury, though he contributed in European fixtures. Aggregate: 26 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards. All statistics compiled from Transfermarkt, reflecting data as of retirement in August 2025.[38]International statistics
Dedryck Boyata earned 31 caps for the Belgium senior national team, scoring 1 goal between his debut in 2010 and his final appearance in 2019.[63] He featured in major tournaments, including 3 appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The following table summarizes his senior international appearances by year.| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 1 |
| 2018 | 10 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 31 | 1 |
| Level | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| U17 | 5 | 0 |
| U19 | 12 | 2 |
| U21 | 7 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 2 |
Club
Manchester City- EFL Cup: 2013–14[4]
- Scottish Premiership: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 (4)[29]
- Scottish Cup: 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 (3)[29]
- Scottish League Cup: 2017–18, 2018–19 (2)[29]
- Belgian Pro League: 2023–24[4]
International
Belgium- FIFA World Cup third place: 2018[64]
Individual
Boyata did not win any major individual awards during his career, though his contributions earned him recognition as part of Celtic's historic unbeaten 2016–17 campaign.[2]References
- https://www.[transfermarkt](/page/Transfermarkt).us/dedryck-boyata/profil/spieler/88262