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Luke Ayling
Luke David Weller-Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough. Usually a right-back, he can also play as a centre-back.
Ayling began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 8. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in July 2009. Ayling was loaned out to Yeovil Town in March 2010 and played four matches. At the end of the season he agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil. After four seasons with Yeovil, Ayling signed for Bristol City where he played until 2016 when he signed a deal with Leeds United, where he was a mainstay as Leeds won the 2019–20 EFL Championship, under manager Marcelo Bielsa. He signed for Middlesbrough on loan in January 2024, and later joined the side permanently in May 2024.
Ayling was born in Lambeth, London. He joined Arsenal at the age of eight despite being a Chelsea fan, progressing through the youth teams, playing alongside Jack Wilshere and Kyle Bartley, before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2007. He featured in the Reserves whilst he was still a schoolboy, and was an integral part of Arsenal youth team's Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, forming a crucial defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley. In July 2009, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.
Ayling's only call into the first-team squad came during the 2009–10 season. He was an unused substitute for a dead rubber 1–0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to Greek team Olympiacos on 9 December 2009. He departed the club in June 2010 after his contract expired.
In March 2010, Ayling joined EFL League One club Yeovil Town on loan for an initial month, and on 2 April 2010, made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Southend United. His loan was extended until the end of the season, He played four matches in total, including his first league start in the final match of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, on 8 May 2010.
On 30 June 2010, Ayling agreed a permanent contract with Yeovil. He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient. He made forty appearances in his first full season with Yeovil but had discipline issues, receiving thirteen yellow cards and two red cards. On 19 May 2013, he played in the 2013 League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to earn promotion to the Championship.
After relegation from the Championship during the 2013–14 season, his contract expired in June 2014. After rejecting the offer of a new contract at Yeovil, he left the club.
Following his departure from Yeovil Town, Ayling signed for Bristol City on 8 July 2014 for an undisclosed compensation fee, signing a three-year deal. He made his debut on 9 August 2014 in their opening day victory over Sheffield United.
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Luke Ayling
Luke David Weller-Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough. Usually a right-back, he can also play as a centre-back.
Ayling began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 8. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in July 2009. Ayling was loaned out to Yeovil Town in March 2010 and played four matches. At the end of the season he agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil. After four seasons with Yeovil, Ayling signed for Bristol City where he played until 2016 when he signed a deal with Leeds United, where he was a mainstay as Leeds won the 2019–20 EFL Championship, under manager Marcelo Bielsa. He signed for Middlesbrough on loan in January 2024, and later joined the side permanently in May 2024.
Ayling was born in Lambeth, London. He joined Arsenal at the age of eight despite being a Chelsea fan, progressing through the youth teams, playing alongside Jack Wilshere and Kyle Bartley, before signing scholarship forms with the club in the summer of 2007. He featured in the Reserves whilst he was still a schoolboy, and was an integral part of Arsenal youth team's Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, forming a crucial defensive partnership with Kyle Bartley. In July 2009, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.
Ayling's only call into the first-team squad came during the 2009–10 season. He was an unused substitute for a dead rubber 1–0 UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to Greek team Olympiacos on 9 December 2009. He departed the club in June 2010 after his contract expired.
In March 2010, Ayling joined EFL League One club Yeovil Town on loan for an initial month, and on 2 April 2010, made his professional debut as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Southend United. His loan was extended until the end of the season, He played four matches in total, including his first league start in the final match of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, on 8 May 2010.
On 30 June 2010, Ayling agreed a permanent contract with Yeovil. He made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient. He made forty appearances in his first full season with Yeovil but had discipline issues, receiving thirteen yellow cards and two red cards. On 19 May 2013, he played in the 2013 League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to earn promotion to the Championship.
After relegation from the Championship during the 2013–14 season, his contract expired in June 2014. After rejecting the offer of a new contract at Yeovil, he left the club.
Following his departure from Yeovil Town, Ayling signed for Bristol City on 8 July 2014 for an undisclosed compensation fee, signing a three-year deal. He made his debut on 9 August 2014 in their opening day victory over Sheffield United.
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