Björn Hardley
Björn Bryan Hardley (born 19 December 2002) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a defender for Eredivisie club Jong Utrecht, Utrecht's reserve team.[3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Björn Bryan Hardley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 19 December 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Tilburg, Netherlands[2] | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Jong Utrecht | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2013 | SV Advendo | ||
| 2013–2014 | RKVV DIA | ||
| 2014–2019 | NAC Breda | ||
| 2019–2023 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2023 | Manchester United | 0 | (0) |
| 2023– | Utrecht | 0 | (0) |
| 2023– | Jong Utrecht | 9 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:38, 4 February 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Early career edit
Born in Tilburg, Hardley started his career with local sides SV Advendo and RKVV DIA, before joining NAC Breda in 2014.[4][5] While at NAC, Hardley's performances caught the eye of Manchester United scout Rene Moonen, who invited four other United scouts to watch Hardley in action.[6]
Manchester United edit
After impressing scouts, Hardley signed a three-year contract with Manchester United in 2019.[4] He progressed through the ranks at United, establishing himself in the under-18 squad before moving to the under-23 side. He made three appearances in the 2021–22 EFL Trophy, scoring once in a 3–2 defeat to Lincoln City.[7]
Having trained with the first team since November 2021, Hardley was added to Manchester United's Champions League squad in early December.[6]
Utrecht edit
On 20 July 2023, Hardley's departure from Manchester United was confirmed by the club as he had joined with Dutch club Utrecht.[8] He was the second player from Manchester United to join the club in the summer transfer window, following Zidane Iqbal.[9] He was moved to the club's reserve team, Jong Utrecht, for the 2023–24 season. His debut came on 21 August 2023, coming on as a substitute in the 90th minute, in a 1–0 victory over FC Groningen.[10] His first start for the club came a month later on 22 September, in a 3–2 victory over Cambuur.[11]
International career edit
Hardley is eligible to represent the Netherlands and Suriname.[12]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of match played 4 February 2024[13]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United U21 | 2020–21 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | — | 3[a] | 1 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| 2022–23 | — | — | — | — | — | 5[a] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | ||||||
| Jong Utrecht | 2023–24 | Eerste Divisie | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||||
| Career total | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 1 | ||
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
References edit
- ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". PremierLeague.com. Premier League. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ a b Björn Hardley at WorldFootball.net
- ^ "Björn Hardley". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ a b "NAC verliest talent aan Manchester United: "Zeven scouts hebben hem bekeken"" [NAC lose talent to Manchester United: "Seven scouts have watched him"]. goal.com (in Dutch). 1 July 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Blanco, Yadran (8 December 2021). "Manchester United roept talent Bjorn Hardley uit Breda op voor de Champions League" [Manchester United calls up talent Bjorn Hardley from Breda for the Champions League]. bd.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 January 2022. (subscription required)
- ^ a b Railston, Steven (8 December 2021). "Who is Bjorn Hardley? Profile of Manchester United's young Champions League squad addition". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Marshall, Adam (24 August 2021). "Reds lose Papa John's Trophy opener". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Hardley transfer confirmed". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Manchester United player follows Zidane Iqbal to FC Utrecht as defender completes transfer". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Jong FC Utrecht 1-0 FC Groningen". 21 August 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Jong FC Utrecht 3-2 SC Cambuur Leeuwarden". 22 September 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ Krishnan, Joe (30 November 2021). "Introducing Man Utd youngster Bjorn Hardley - part of Cristiano Ronaldo's "winning team"". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Björn Hardley at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2022.