Max Harrison Sanders (born 4 January 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Crewe Alexandra.
Sanders grew up in Horsham and attended Tanbridge House School in the town.[3][4]
Before joining Brighton & Hove Albion's academy, Sanders had been with AFC Wimbledon's academy.[5]
Sanders was first named in a matchday squad for Brighton & Hove Albion on 17 March 2018; he remained an unused substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup sixth round.[6]
Sanders joined AFC Wimbledon on loan from Brighton on 2 September 2019.[7] He subsequently made his professional debut for AFC Wimbledon on 7 September 2019, replacing Scott Wagstaff in the 45th minute of a 1–2 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons.[8] Sanders' sole goal during his loan spell at Wimbledon came on 15 February 2020, in a 2–2 draw to Rotherham United in League One.[9]
On 1 July 2020, Sanders signed a new one-year contract with Brighton which extended his stay at the club until the end of the 2020–21 season.[10] He made his debut for The Seagulls coming on as a sub in a 4–0 victory over Portsmouth in the EFL Cup on 17 September 2020.[11] 6 days later he started in The Seagulls 2–0 away win over Preston, this appearance also coming in the EFL Cup.[12] He made his third and final League Cup appearance of the season as an 81st-minute substitute for Jayson Molumby which The Seagulls lost 3–0 at home to Manchester United on 30 September falling short of the quarter-finals.[13]
On 1 February 2021, Sanders signed for Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee, with a deal running until 2023.[14] Sanders was encouraged by Brighton sporting director Dan Ashworth to sign for Lincoln in order to play under Michael Appleton.[15] He made his debut on 17 February, starting in the EFL Trophy semi-final away at Sunderland, being replaced in the 58th minute in an eventual penalty shootout loss after a 1–1 draw.[16] He made his league debut for The Imps three days later, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, one minute before Lincoln's winning goal in a 2–1 away victory over Wigan.[17]
He scored his first goal for the side on 6 November 2021, scoring the only goal of the FA Cup first round fixture at home against Bowers & Pitsea.[18] On 10 May 2023, it was announced in the clubs retained list that Sanders would leave the club at the end of his contract.[19]
On 21 June 2023, Sanders became the first summer signing for newly promoted Leyton Orient. He signed a two-year contract,[20] and made 30 appearances, scoring once, for the London club.[21]
On 3 July 2024, Sanders joined Crewe Alexandra on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[21] He made his debut in the side's League Two opener away at Barrow.[22]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 2019–20[23] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[23] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| AFC Wimbledon (loan) | 2019–20[24] | League One | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Lincoln City | 2020–21[25] | League One | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021–22[26] | League One | 19 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2022–23[27] | League One | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| Total | 57 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 72 | 2 | ||
| Leyton Orient | 2023–24[28] | League One | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Crewe Alexandra | 2024–25[29] | League Two | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Career total | 126 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 154 | 4 | ||
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