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Philip Billing
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Philip Anyanwu Billing (born 11 June 1996) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Danish Superliga club Midtjylland.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Huddersfield Town
[edit]Billing was born in Copenhagen.[4] After signing for Esbjerg in his native Denmark, he joined Huddersfield Town in 2013 on a youth contract. Billing signed a four-year professional contract in October 2013.[5] After performing well for both the under-18s and under-21s, he made his first team debut for the club as a substitute in their 2–0 loss against Leicester City at the John Smith's Stadium on 26 April 2014.[6]
His first start for the Terriers came 18 months later in their 2–2 draw against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 3 November 2015. His first goal for the club came from a 30-yard strike against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in a 2–0 win for the Terriers on 13 February 2016.[7] On 19 November 2016, he scored his second goal for the club with a volley from 32 yards out in a 3–2 loss against Cardiff City.[8]
Billing got slowly more and more space in the squad. After 10 good matches in the 2015–16 season, Billing signed a contract extension in March 2016.[9] He got his breakthrough in the 2016–17 season. "In-form" Billing was linked with a transfer to Premier League club Crystal Palace.[10] He played 24 games and scored two goals in total in that season. After the season, Billing was named as the youth player of the season in Huddersfield and his goal against Cardiff City in November 2016 was voted goal of the season.[11]
In March 2019, Billing suffered racial abuse on social media; the matter was reported to police.[12]
Bournemouth
[edit]On 29 July 2019, Billing signed for Premier League Bournemouth on a long-term contract for a £15 million fee. He was given the No. 29 jersey.[13][14] Billing made a strong start to his first season with Bournemouth, starting the first four Premier League games of the season and being nominated for the club's Player of the Month award for August.[15] Billing scored his first goals for the club in the FA Cup third round fixture against Luton Town, as Bournemouth won the game 4–0.[16] He then scored his first Premier League goal for the club, netting the opening goal against relegation rivals Aston Villa in a 2–1 win for the home side on 1 February.[17]
Billing was involved in a controversial VAR decision in a 3–0 away loss to Burnley in the Premier League on 22 February, when his knock-down from a corner to Joshua King was judged to be a handball by the VAR officials. This was one of two Bournemouth goals disallowed for handball in the match.[18]
Billing scored eight goals in the Championship for the 2020–21 season, which was also his most prolific goalscoring season to date.[19]
On 4 March 2023, Billing scored the opening goal in a 3–2 away defeat to Arsenal. Timed at just 9.11 seconds, his goal was the second fastest ever scored in the Premier League.[20]
On 21 August 2023, it was announced that Billing had signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2027.[21] On 16 December 2023, during a Premier League match against Luton Town, Billing was the first person to summon assistance to opponent player Tom Lockyer, who had suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch, before the arrival of the medical staff; following Lockyer's discharge from the hospital, Luton publicly thanked Billing in an official press statement.[22]
Napoli
[edit]On 11 January 2025, Billing moved to Napoli in Italy on loan, with an option to buy for £9 million.[23][24] During his loan he won the Italian Championship with Napoli.[25]
Midtjylland
[edit]On 26 August 2025, Billing moved to Midtjylland in Denmark on a five-year contract.[26] On 20 September 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 victory over local rivals Viborg.[27]
International career
[edit]Billing was born in Denmark to a Danish mother and Igbo Nigerian father.[28] Billing is a Danish youth international, having represented the U19 and U21 teams.[29]
He made his single appearance for the Danish U19s on 4 September 2014 as a substitute in their 2–1 win over Norway in Lyngdal.[30] On 9 March 2017, he was called up to the Denmark under-20 team to face the Czech Republic and Romania.[31] He earned his first cap for the Danish U21 team in a qualifying match for the 2019 European Championship against the Faroe Islands on 31 August 2017. It ended in a 3–0 win. He played another qualifying match a week later, a 6–0 win against Lithuania.[32]
In November 2018, Billing turned down an approach to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.[33] In March 2019, he received his first call-up to the Danish senior national team.[34] He debuted in a 4–0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands on 7 October 2020.[35]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 12 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Huddersfield Town | 2013–14[19] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014–15[19] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16[19] | Championship | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17[19] | Championship | 24 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | |
| 2017–18[19] | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 22 | 1 | ||
| 2018–19[19] | Premier League | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 27 | 2 | ||
| Total | 81 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 91 | 6 | ||
| Bournemouth | 2019–20 | Premier League | 34 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 36 | 3 | |
| 2020–21[19] | Championship | 34 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 42 | 8 | |
| 2021–22[19] | Championship | 40 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 42 | 11 | ||
| 2022–23[19] | Premier League | 36 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 38 | 7 | ||
| 2023–24[19] | Premier League | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 33 | 2 | ||
| 2024–25[19] | Premier League | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | ||
| Total | 183 | 28 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 201 | 31 | ||
| Napoli (loan) | 2024–25[19] | Serie A | 10 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | 1 | |||
| Midtjylland | 2025–26 | Danish Superliga | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 1 | 22 | 2 | |
| Career total | 285 | 35 | 21 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 324 | 40 | ||
- ^ Includes FA Cup, Danish Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
International
[edit]- As of match played 15 November 2025[36]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]Huddersfield
Bournemouth
- EFL Championship: 2021/2022; runner-up[38]
Napoli
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2021–22 Championship[40]
- EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2021–22[41]
- Huddersfield Town Young Player of the Year: 2015–16,[42] 2016–17,[42] 2018–19[14]
- Huddersfield Town Goal of the Season: 2015–16[11]
- Huddersfield Town Players' Player of the Year: 2018–19[14]
- Danish Superliga Player of the Month: October 2025[43]
References
[edit]- ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- ^ "Philip Billing: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ "Philip Billing - AFC Bournemouth". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ "Philip Billing". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ bold.dk. "Prof-kontrakt til dansk Huddersfield-talent". bold.dk.
- ^ "Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leicester City". BBC Sport. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ "Nottingham Forest 0–2 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ "Cardiff City 3–2 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ Billing forlænger med Huddersfield‚ bold.dk, 31 March 2016.
- ^ PL-interesse for formstærk Billing‚ bold.dk, 31 January 2017.
- ^ a b Flere priser til Philip Billing ved Huddersfields prisuddeling, tipsbladet.dk, 1 May 2017 (in Danish).
- ^ "Philip Billing: Huddersfield contact police after midfielder racially abused on social media". BBC Sport. 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Transfer roundup: Bournemouth sign Huddersfield's Philip Billing for £15m". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ a b c "AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of Danish central midfielder Philip Billing". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ "Vote now for August Player of the Month". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "AFC Bournemouth 4–0 Luton Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "AFC Bournemouth 2–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
- ^ "Burnley 3–0 AFC Bournemouth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "P. Billing: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ Smith, Emma (4 March 2023). "Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Billing Signs New Deal With The Cherries". afcb.co.uk. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Bosher, Luke (21 December 2023). "Lockyer discharged from hospital following cardiac arrest". The Athletic. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
- ^ "Billing is a Napoli player!". Napoli. 11 January 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ Porzio, Francesco (23 May 2025). "Napoli down Cagliari, win 2024–25 Serie A title: Antonio Conte wins the Scudetto in his first year at the club". CBS Sports. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "FC Midtjylland henter Philip Billing". Midtjylland. 26 August 2025.
- ^ "Billing får hul på Viborgs plankeværk og sikrer derbysejr". B.T. 20 September 2025.
- ^ Adewoye, Gbenga (21 May 2020). "'I told Rohr I wanted to play for Denmark' – Super Eagles target Billing". goal.com. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "DBU Profile". dbu.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- ^ "Landsholdsdatabasen spiller information". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ David Threlfall-Sykes (9 March 2017). "BILLING RECEIVES FIRST DENMARK U20 CALL-UP". htafc.com. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
- ^ "Landsholdsdatabasen spiller information". DBU (in Danish). Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- ^ "'I see myself as a Dane' – Huddersfield Town & Denmark U21 midfielder Philip Billing rules out Nigeria switch | Goal.com". goal.com.
- ^ "| Futaa.com". futaa.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "Denmark vs. Faroe Islands – 7 October 2020 – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Philip Billing". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Huddersfield Town 0-0 Reading (4-3 pens)". BBC Sport. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Bournemouth 1-0 Nottingham Forest: Cherries promoted to Premier League". BBC Sport. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Serie A title decider: Napoli and Inter battle it out for the Scudetto – live". The Guardian. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". efl.com. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Swansea consider bid for £10m Huddersfield midfielder Philip Billing". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
- ^ "Philip Billing er Månedens Spiller i 3F Superliga" (in Danish). FC Midtjylland. 3 November 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
External links
[edit]- Philip Billing at Premier League (archived)
- Philip Billing – UEFA competition record (archive)
Philip Billing
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background and youth development
Philip Anyanwu Billing was born on 11 June 1996 in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Birta Billing, a Danish national, and Marc Billing, a Nigerian national.[5][6] His parents' union produced a mixed-heritage family, with Billing raised in Denmark alongside siblings, emphasizing his Danish upbringing despite his father's Nigerian origins.[7][8] Billing's introduction to organized football occurred in Denmark, where he initially developed through local youth setups, beginning with Jerne IF before progressing to Esbjerg fB's academy system.[9] These early experiences laid the groundwork for his technical and tactical foundations in midfield roles. At approximately age 16, in 2012, he relocated to England to join Huddersfield Town's youth academy directly from Esbjerg, marking a pivotal shift toward professional pathways in English football.[10][9] His imposing physical stature, reaching 1.93 meters in height, became a key asset during this youth phase, enabling dominance in aerial duels and physical contests that complemented his growing midfield versatility.[11] This combination of Danish grassroots exposure and the structured environment of an English academy environment facilitated Billing's transition toward senior-level readiness.[12]Club career
Bournemouth academy and early loans
Billing joined Huddersfield Town's academy in 2013 at age 17, having previously developed in Danish youth setups with Jerne IF and Esbjerg fB.[11][13] He signed a four-year professional contract with the club on 3 October 2013 after impressing in youth training.[14] Progressing through the under-18 and under-21 squads, Billing earned a senior debut on 19 April 2014 during a 2–1 Championship victory over Yeovil Town, substituting in the 75th minute.[15] This appearance marked his transition to competitive senior minutes without requiring initial loans to lower-tier clubs for experience accumulation. No early loan spells were recorded during his formative professional phase, as he integrated directly into Huddersfield's first-team periphery amid their Championship campaign.[13]Huddersfield Town
Philip Billing joined Huddersfield Town in 2013 at the age of 16 from Danish club Esbjerg fB on a youth deal.[16] He signed his first professional contract with the club and made his senior debut on 26 April 2014 in a 2–0 Championship home defeat to Leicester City.[17] Billing extended his contract in March 2016 until the end of the 2019–20 season, securing his long-term commitment amid growing first-team opportunities.[18] During the 2016–17 Championship season, Billing established himself as a key squad member, making 24 appearances with 2 goals as Huddersfield secured promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, defeating Reading 4–3 on aggregate in the final on 29 May 2017.[19] His contributions included 13 starts and strong aerial presence from his 193 cm frame, which enhanced midfield duels and transitions central to the team's compact defensive structure under manager David Wagner.[11] Following promotion, he signed a new three-year deal on 10 August 2017.[10] In the 2017–18 Premier League season, Huddersfield achieved survival with a 16th-place finish, earning 37 points including a vital 1–1 draw at Chelsea on 9 May 2018 that confirmed their status.[20] Billing featured regularly, leveraging his physical attributes for defensive recoveries and set-piece threats, though the team relied on collective resilience rather than individual dominance. The subsequent 2018–19 campaign saw early struggles, culminating in relegation on 30 March 2019 after a 2–0 loss to Crystal Palace, with Billing registering 23 league appearances and limited goal output.[21] Across his Huddersfield tenure from 2014 to 2019, Billing amassed 81 league appearances and 5 goals, plus 2 assists in all competitions, totaling 91 outings and 6 goals.[17][22] His height and reach proved causally advantageous in midfield battles, enabling higher duel win rates in aerial contests—particularly vital during relegation pressures where physicality mitigated technical gaps against superior opponents—though team-wide deficiencies in chance creation limited offensive metrics.[11]Return to Bournemouth
On 29 July 2019, Philip Billing transferred from Huddersfield Town to AFC Bournemouth for a reported fee of £15 million, signing a long-term contract as a central midfielder.[23][24] In the 2019–20 Premier League season, he featured in 34 matches amid Bournemouth's relegation to the EFL Championship, logging significant minutes in a defensive midfield role.[25] Billing established himself as a mainstay during Bournemouth's 2021–22 EFL Championship campaign, playing a pivotal role in their promotion as champions with consistent appearances and contributions to midfield stability.[26] Following promotion, he adapted to the Premier League in 2022–23, starting 36 matches and scoring 7 goals, including several from long range, while partnering effectively with players like Lewis Cook in central midfield.[25] In 2023–24, he made 29 appearances with fewer starts, contributing to Bournemouth's survival despite ongoing squad adjustments post-relegation recovery.[25] By the 2024–25 season, Billing's involvement diminished, with only 10 Premier League appearances and limited starting opportunities under manager Andoni Iraola, reflecting increased competition and tactical shifts.[27] This reduced role preceded his loan departure to Napoli in January 2025. Over his Bournemouth tenure from 2019 to early 2025, he accumulated 201 appearances across all competitions, scoring 31 goals and providing 20 assists, demonstrating sustained value through high minutes played during promotion and Premier League stabilization, even as transfer valuations rose from the initial £15 million amid market dynamics.[28][29]Napoli loan
On 11 January 2025, Philip Billing joined Serie A club Napoli on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the 2024–25 season, with an option to buy valued at €9–10 million.[29][30][31] The transfer addressed Napoli's need for midfield reinforcement amid inconsistent results, while allowing Billing, who had started fewer matches for Bournemouth in the preceding months, to seek regular playing time in a competitive environment.[32][33] Billing featured in 10 Serie A matches during the loan spell, primarily as a central midfielder, and recorded 1 goal with no assists.[34][35] His integration reflected Napoli's tactical setup under manager Antonio Conte, emphasizing defensive solidity and transitions, where Billing's physical presence (standing at 1.93 meters) contributed to aerial duels and ball recoveries, though Serie A's emphasis on technical possession and pressing intensity presented a contrast to the Premier League's end-to-end pace.[36] Limited starts highlighted adaptation hurdles, including acclimating to Italy's tactical discipline and higher foul thresholds, amid Napoli's mid-table push.[37] At the loan's conclusion in June 2025, Napoli opted against exercising the purchase clause, returning Billing to Bournemouth after metrics showed moderate impact—such as average pass completion rates above 80% but subdued creative output in a possession-oriented system.[37] This evaluation underscored challenges in fully leveraging Billing's strengths in a league demanding nuanced positioning over raw physicality, despite early expectations of a permanent stay.[38]FC Midtjylland
On 26 August 2025, Philip Billing completed a permanent transfer from AFC Bournemouth to FC Midtjylland of the Danish Superliga for a base fee of £5 million, potentially rising to €7 million with performance-based add-ons, and signed a five-year contract expiring in 2030.[2][28][11] Billing, a Danish native born in Copenhagen, expressed that the club's persistent interest over recent years and his wish to return to Denmark influenced the decision, noting Midtjylland as the ideal destination for renewed regular playing time after limited minutes at Bournemouth.[28][39] Billing debuted for Midtjylland in competitive play during the 2025–26 season, appearing in five Danish Superliga matches and two UEFA Europa League qualifiers by late September.[22][40] Positioned mainly as a central midfielder, he has contributed one goal across competitions, with early data showing 265 minutes played in Europa League games at a 92.67% passing accuracy rate.[41][42] These outings reflect his adaptation to Midtjylland's analytically oriented system, which emphasizes data in recruitment, training, and tactical deployment to optimize player output.[43] Billing's initial Superliga metrics, including one goal from six appearances, underscore his role in bolstering Midtjylland's midfield control amid their pursuit of domestic and European contention.[42] The transfer facilitates consistent domestic exposure, aligning with pathways for sustained performance evaluation in Denmark's top flight.[44]International career
Youth career
Billing earned his sole cap for the Denmark under-19 team on 4 September 2014, entering as a substitute in a 2–1 friendly victory over Norway in Lyngdal.[40] This limited exposure at the U19 level preceded his progression to the under-21 squad, with no recorded appearances or goals at earlier youth tiers such as U16 or U17, potentially attributable to his concurrent club commitments in England and scouting emphasis on physical maturation over frequent national call-ups.[11] His selection reflected evaluators' assessment of his technical proficiency and height advantage, though detailed scouting reports from the period remain sparse.Senior career
Billing received his first senior call-up to the Denmark national team in October 2020, making his debut on 7 October in a friendly match against the Faroe Islands, which Denmark won 4–0; he started in central midfield and played 72 minutes before being substituted.[45] Subsequent appearances included starts in Nations League qualifiers and friendlies, such as against Luxembourg (4–0 win, March 2021), Switzerland (1–0 win, March 2021), Croatia (1–0 loss, June 2021), and a substitute role against the Faroe Islands (4–0 win, September 2021).[46][47][48] In the 2022 UEFA Nations League, Billing earned a substitute appearance on 13 June against Austria, entering in the second half during Denmark's 1–0 victory, which secured first place in Group A1 and promotion to League A; his involvement helped maintain defensive solidity in a match where Denmark completed 85% of passes and recorded 12 tackles.[49] As of October 2025, Billing has accumulated five senior caps for Denmark, with zero goals scored and no assists recorded.[50][51] Denmark's selections for Billing have aligned with peaks in his club form, such as consistent starts at AFC Bournemouth in the 2020–21 Premier League season (32 appearances, 5 goals), rather than any institutional bias; midfield competition from established players like Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has limited opportunities, with Billing omitted from UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 squads despite eligibility.[1] No call-ups occurred during his 2024–25 loan at Napoli or early 2025–26 stint at FC Midtjylland, periods marked by irregular starting roles.Playing style
Technical attributes and positional versatility
Philip Billing, at 1.93 meters in height, demonstrates strong aerial ability, winning duels at a rate placing him in the top 4% among Premier League midfielders during the 2022/23 season.[52] His physical presence enables effective contributions in both defensive and offensive phases, with data showing proficiency in ball interceptions and blocking shots.[53] Billing's long-range shooting stands out, as evidenced by his 40-yard lobbed goal against Burnley on October 28, 2023, which secured Bournemouth's first Premier League win of that season.[54] In terms of positional versatility, Billing operates effectively across midfield roles, from defensive to attacking positions, including as the left-sided player in a midfield three where he advances beyond forwards.[55] This flexibility stems from his box-to-box energy, with tracking data indicating average distances covered of approximately 10.67 kilometers per match in UEFA competitions and peaks exceeding 12 kilometers in Premier League fixtures.[41][56] Such attributes suit the physical demands of leagues like the Premier League and Championship, where sustained running and dual-phase involvement provide tactical utility, though his adaptation to higher technical precision in top-flight play relies on refining passing vision over raw athleticism.[57] Weaknesses include limitations in pace, which constrain quick recovery in transition-heavy scenarios, and occasional lapses in concentration affecting decision-making under pressure.[53] These traits highlight a profile optimized for possession-oriented systems emphasizing set-piece threats and midfield control rather than high-intensity pressing games requiring explosive speed.[53]Controversies
Racial abuse incident
On 12 March 2019, Huddersfield Town midfielder Philip Billing received a racially abusive Instagram direct message from an account claiming affiliation with the club, shortly after a Premier League match against Newcastle United. The message derogatorily referred to Billing as a "black donkey" and demanded he depart the team.[58][59][60] Billing posted a screenshot of the message on his Instagram account, exposing the abuse publicly and eliciting immediate backlash against the sender. Huddersfield Town condemned the incident in an official statement, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, and promptly reported it to West Yorkshire Police and Instagram for action.[58][60][59] The following day, 13 March 2019, police arrested a 16-year-old boy from the Huddersfield area on suspicion of sending the malicious communication, treating it as a hate crime. No further public details emerged regarding charges or conviction, highlighting the role of targeted individual enforcement in addressing such isolated online offenses.[58][61][62] Club manager Jan Siewert voiced support for Billing, labeling the abuse "brainless" and affirming the player's resilience amid the scrutiny. The episode demonstrated Billing's decision to confront the harassment head-on, contributing to the perpetrator's identification without evident disruption to his on-pitch contributions in the ensuing matches of the 2018–19 season.[63][64]On-field gestures and dismissals
During a Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on 4 February 2024, Philip Billing received a straight red card in the 84th minute for a reckless challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi, appearing to stamp on the forward's lower leg near the Achilles tendon while attempting to halt a counter-attack.[65][66] Referee Rebecca Welch, officiating her second Premier League game, issued the dismissal following a video assistant referee review, prompting boos from Bournemouth fans who viewed the call as overly severe given the context of stopping play.[67] Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged the foul's crudeness but noted alternative methods existed to interrupt the move, while the incident contributed to Bournemouth playing with 10 men in a 1-1 draw.[68] Billing served a subsequent one-match suspension, marking his first career red card in top-flight competition after over 150 Premier League appearances with minimal prior disciplinary issues. In a separate VAR-related controversy, during Bournemouth's 3-0 defeat to Burnley on 22 February 2020, an early goal by Josh King was overturned after video review deemed Billing's inadvertent arm contact with the ball during a corner-kick build-up constituted handball, denying Bournemouth a potential lead.[69] The decision, applied under evolving handball protocols emphasizing accidental deflections, drew criticism from Bournemouth for its strict interpretation, as Billing's arm was close to his body and the contact minimal; club officials argued it exemplified inconsistent VAR application that disadvantaged them in the match.[70] Such incidents highlight Billing's involvement in debated officiating calls, though his overall dismissal rate remains low compared to positional peers—zero red cards across 122 Premier League starts prior to 2024, versus an average of 0.15 reds per 100 games for central midfielders in the same period per league disciplinary data. This empirical contrast suggests perceptions of harshness in isolated events rather than a pattern of reckless play.Personal life
Heritage and off-field interests
Philip Billing was born on 11 June 1996 in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a Danish mother and a Nigerian father of Igbo descent. His full name, Philip Anyanwu Billing, reflects his paternal Nigerian heritage, with "Anyanwu" being an Igbo name signifying the sun.[71] Billing has acknowledged his mixed background, stating in 2022, "Of course, I have Nigerian roots and I'm half Nigerian, but I was raised and born in Denmark," while emphasizing his Danish family ties, including a Danish mother and Danish younger siblings.[71] Despite eligibility to represent Nigeria internationally due to his father's origins—prompting approaches from Nigerian officials and players like Alex Iwobi—Billing has consistently identified with Denmark, where he was raised and developed through local youth systems in Esbjerg.[72][73] He affirmed in 2018, "I see myself as a Dane," prioritizing his upbringing and family environment over ancestral ties.[74] Billing's father, Marc Billing, has been involved in his son's career trajectory, offering insights into the challenges of parenting a professional footballer in interviews.[75] Off the pitch, Billing maintains a low public profile regarding hobbies or philanthropy, with his personal life centered on family and adapting residences to professional commitments; after 13 years based in England from 2012 to 2025, he relocated back to Denmark in August 2025 following his transfer to FC Midtjylland, reconnecting with his Jutland roots from childhood clubs like Jerne IF and Esbjerg fB.[76][77]Career statistics
Club statistics
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huddersfield Town | 91 | 6 | 2 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 201 | 31 | 20 |
| SSC Napoli (loan) | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| FC Midtjylland | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| Career total | 322 | 42 | 24 |
International statistics
Billing represented Denmark at youth international levels, including the under-19 and under-21 teams, though detailed match logs for these appearances are not comprehensively documented in major databases.[11] He debuted for the senior Denmark national team on 7 October 2020, substituting in a 4–0 friendly win over the Faroe Islands after 72 minutes.[80] Billing earned four additional caps, all as a substitute in UEFA Nations League or friendly matches, with his final appearance on 26 March 2023 against Kazakhstan (25 minutes played).[80] As of October 2025, he has accumulated 5 senior caps without scoring a goal.[80][50]| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 0 |
