Ryan Andrews (footballer)

Ryan Andrews (born 26 August 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Watford.

Ryan Andrews

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-08-26) 26 August 2004 (age 19)
Place of birth	Watford, England
Position(s)	Full-back
Team information
Current team	Watford
Number	45
Youth career
2012–	Watford
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–	Watford	22	(1)
International career^‡
2023-	England U20	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 December 2023 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:46, 24 November 2023 (UTC)

Career

Born in Watford, Andrews was with the Watford academy from 2012 onwards.^[1] He signed his first professional contract with Watford in May 2022, with the deal lasting two years with the option of a third.^[2]

Watford

He made his first senior appearance on 7 January, 2023 in the FA Cup away against Reading^[3] He described his debut as “an absolute joy!...it's a dream come true for me, my family and everyone that's helped me in my career so far.”^[4]

Andrews made his league debut in the EFL Championship playing at right-back against Coventry on April 10, 2023 with Watford manager Chris Wilder saying “ “I thought he was great...he can be pleased he played a part in the real good things we did. His performance was another good thing that happened today.”^[5] After playing the next week against Bristol City and starting consecutive games Andrews was named in the Championship team of the week.^[6] Chris Wilder again praised his performance saying he “didn't do a lot wrong for me, he had energy, he had power, he had pace, he was positive, he took the ball up the pitch, he picked out some good passes and he defended really well.”^[7][8] He finished the season with six consecutive starts in the Championship at full-back ahead of recognised international players with Wilder saying he had the place on merit and was a “natural footballer”.^[9]

International career

In October 2023, he was called up to the England U-20 side for matches against Portugal U-20 and Romania U-20.^[10] He made his debut on 12 October 2023 during a 2-0 away defeat to Romania.^[11]

Personal life

He is the son of former Watford footballer Wayne Andrews.^[12] He is of Barbadian descent through his father.^[13]

Career statistics

Club

As of 12 December 2023.^[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Watford	2022–23	Championship	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
	2023–24	Championship	16	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	17	1
Career total			22	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	24	1

References

1. "Getting to know:Ryan Andrews". watfordfc.com.
2. "Watford hand professional deal to Ryan Andrews". Watford Observer. 30 May 2022.
3. "READING VS. WATFORD". Soccerway.
4. French, Andrew (January 8, 2023). "Watford's young debutants reflect on the Reading game". Watford Observer. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
5. French, Andrew (April 12, 2023). "Watford boss changed personnel and shape at Coventry". Watford Observer. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
6. Mail, Harry (April 17, 2023). "Championship team of the week includes Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Watford men". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
7. "Chris Wilder: Watford need consistency to force way into Championship play-offs". BBC Sport. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
8. French, Andrew (April 18, 2023). "Watford boss challenges youngster to keep progressing". Watford Observer. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
9. French, Andrew (May 9, 2023). "Watford boss says young defender is a natural footballer". Watford Observer. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
10. "Interim head coach Joe Edwards has picked a 21-man squad for their games with Romania and Portugal in October". Englandfootball.com. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
11. "Report: Romania 2-0 England's Elite League squad". Englandfootball.com. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
12. "How Watford are trying to revamp academy to bring through more of their talented youngsters". The Athletic.
13. "Chilvers joins Colchester". 8 June 2004. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
14. Ryan Andrews at Soccerway