Ayden Edford Heaven (born 22 September 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Manchester United.
Club career
Arsenal
Heaven joined the academy at West Ham United when he was eight years old, where he stayed for four years. After a trial with Chelsea, he joined the academy system at Arsenal, the club he had supported since childhood.[2] He signed a scholarship contract with Arsenal in the summer of 2023.[3] He trained with the Arsenal first team squad on occasion during the 2023–24 season.[4][5]
Heaven was heavily involved with Arsenal first team training during the 2024 summer pre-season, and was one of three youngsters, along with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, individually praised by manager Mikel Arteta in August 2024.[6] The following month he was included amongst the match-day substitutes for the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.[7] He made his Arsenal debut on 30 October 2024, away at Preston North End in EFL Cup helping Arsenal win 3–0.[8]
Manchester United
On 1 February 2025, Heaven joined Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with an option for an extra year.[9][10]
International career
In May 2024, Heaven made his debut for the England U18 side against Northern Ireland.[11]
Style of play
Heaven is considered capable of playing as a box-to-box central midfielder as well as in defence, central or left-sided.[12][13][14]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 30 January 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal U21 | 2023–24[15] | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2024–25[16] | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||
| Arsenal | 2024–25[16] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Manchester United | 2024–25[16] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
References
- ^ "2023/24 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Collings, Simon (8 July 2024). "Arsenal transfer news: Gunners face fight over Ayden Heaven as Borussia Dortmund target deal". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Collings, Simon (21 February 2024). "Arsenal transfer news: Academy star Ayden Heaven attracting Premier League interest". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Canton, Tom (21 February 2024). "Who are James Sweet and Ayden Heaven? – Arsenal youngsters drafted in for Porto clash". Football.London. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Vegas, Paul (9 July 2024). "Borussia Dortmund Heaven pressure arrives for Arsenal". Tribal Football. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Haigh, Phil (16 August 2024). "Mikel Arteta backs three Arsenal youngsters to step up this season". Metro. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Spurs vs Arsenal 0–1". Soccerway. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Setford, Heaven thrilled with winning Arsenal debuts". Tribal Football. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Stone, Simon (1 February 2025). "Man Utd sign teenager Heaven from Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ "Ayden Heaven signs for Manchester United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ Vassell, Zac (22 May 2024). "Report: England MU18s 4–2 Northern Ireland". EnglandFootball.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Connor, Lee (8 July 2024). "Borussia Dortmund now want to sign Arsenal teenager who Mikel Arteta had in first-team training last season". tbrfootball. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Gallagher, Jack (16 August 2024). "4 of Arsenal's potential breakout stars of 2024/25 season". 90min.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ Kaynak, Kaya (19 July 2024). "Arsenal predicted XI vs Bournemouth as two youngsters start and new signing involved". Football.London. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Ayden Heaven in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Ayden Heaven in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
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