Ben White (footballer)

Benjamin William White (born 8 October 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ben White
Personal information
Full name Benjamin William White[1]
Date of birth (1997-10-08) 8 October 1997[2]
Place of birth Poole, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Playing position(s) Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Brighton & Hove Albion
Youth career
–2012 Southampton
2014–2016 Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016– Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2017–2018 → Newport County (loan) 42 (1)
2019 → Peterborough United (loan) 15 (1)
2019–2020 → Leeds United (loan) 46 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 July 2020

He has previously had spells on loan at Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United.

Club career

White started his youth career at Premier League club Southampton before being released at the age of 16, he was signed by Brighton & Hove Albion where he initially joined their academy.[4]

Brighton & Hove Albion

For the first league match of the 2016–17 season on 6 August 2016, White was an unused substitute in a 0–0 draw away to Derby County.[5] White made his professional football debut three days later on 9 August, playing the entire game of the first round EFL Cup match in a 4–0 home victory over Colchester United.[6] White continued to be an unused substitute in the next three league games against Nottingham Forest,[7] Rotherham United[8] and Reading.[9] His second start for Brighton came in the next round of the EFL cup again playing the whole match away against Oxford United on 23 August, where Brighton won 4–2.[10] White was once again an unused substitute on 18 March 2017, this time against Leeds United.[11] White also appeared 3 times during the Checkatrade Trophy before Brighton U21s were eliminated in round three by Coventry City.

Newport County (loan)

On 1 August 2017, White signed for League Two side Newport County on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season in what was described by manager Michael Flynn as a "big coup for the club."[12] White made his debut for Newport on 8 August 2017 in a 2–0 victory over Southend United in the first round of the EFL Cup.[13] He made his Football League debut on 12 August 2017 in a 1–1 draw versus Crewe Alexandra. White scored his first Football League goal on 21 November 2017 for Newport against Barnet in a 2–1 home defeat.[14]

On 7 January 2018, White started for Newport in a shock 2–1 home win over Championship club Leeds United in the FA Cup third round, which meant Newport progressed to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since the 1978–79 FA Cup.[15] In the following round, Newport were drawn at home to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. On 27 January 2018, White started the match as Newport put in a creditable 1–1 draw to force a replay at Tottenham's temporary home ground Wembley Stadium, with White praised for his performances against Harry Kane.[16][17]

On 15 March 2018, White won the South Wales Argus Player of The Year Award for Newport for the 2017–18 season. At the awards ceremony, manager Mike Flynn described White as "the best loan signing the club has ever made."[18]

Initial return

After being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur after initially rejecting a new contract offer at Brighton,[19] White did sign a new long-term contract extension at Brighton in April 2018.[20]

At the start of the 2018–19 season, then-Brighton manager Chris Hughton stated that White would be the club's fourth-choice centre back behind Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy and Leon Balogun.[21] White however was a regular for Brighton U23s. On Monday 26 November 2018 he set up three goals in the Premier League 2 Division 1 to help The Seagulls U23's to come from 2–0 down to win 3–2 against Swansea U23s.[22] White made the bench for the Premier League for the first time on 8 December 2018, where Brighton lost 1–0 away to Burnley. White remained an unused substitute.[23]

Peterborough United (loan)

On 3 January 2019, White signed for League One club, Peterborough United on loan until the end of the season.[24] He made his debut for the Peterborough on 5 January 2019 in a 5–0 away loss to Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup.[25] White's first match at the London Road Stadium was also his first League One appearance where he came on in the 88th minute to replace Joe Ward in a 2–1 victory over Rochdale on 12 January.[26]

White scored his first goal for Peterborough — and first in League One — scoring the second goal in a 2–0 home win over a struggling Southend United on 23 March 2019.[27] White played in the final game of the season where Peterborough won 3–1 at home to Burton Albion. However, with Doncaster Rovers winning their match, The Posh just missed out on a play-off spot.[28][29] White finished his loan spell making 16 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

Leeds United (loan)

On 1 July 2019, White signed for Championship club Leeds United on loan until the end of the season. On the same day, White signed a new one-year contract extension at Brighton & Hove Albion.[30] [31][32] He was given the number 5 shirt ahead of the 2019–20 season,[33] and made his debut on the 4 August in Leeds' opening day 3–1 victory against Bristol City.[34]

On 4 September 2019, after impressive performances during the month of August, White won the EFL Championship PFA Player of the Month award for August 2019.[35] In November 2019, it was reported that White was being scouted by Premier League side Liverpool,[36] with Brighton head coach Graham Potter advising that White wouldn't be recalled from Leeds and that his future would be at Brighton at the end of his loan spell.[37]

On 23 December 2019, after continuing his form, White won the EFL Championship Best Young Player award, as voted by Sky Sports readers.[38] White was watched by England Manager Gareth Southgate in January 2020, with Southgate also scouting White's team-mate Kalvin Phillips.[39]

White played in all 46 league games as Leeds were promoted to the Premier League as league champions.[40] He scored his only goal for Leeds in the last game of his loan spell in a 4–0 victory against Charlton Athletic, [41] which was ultimately voted Goal of the Month for July 2020.[42]. Following the conclusion of his loan, White won the Leeds' Young Player of the season award[43] and the Yorkshire Evening Post award for Player of the 2019-20 season.[44]

Style of play

White is known as a ball playing centre-back with good technical ability and was also praised by former manager Mike Flynn for his tough tackling style, White can also play as a defensive midfielder or as a right-back.[45] White describes his own style as a 'cool' 'calm' player.[46] White is also known for his surging forward runs with the ball helping create quick counterattacks from deep.[47] White's style of play has been compared to John Stones and Rio Ferdinand.[48]

Career statistics
As of end of the 2019–20 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion 2016–17[49] Championship 000020—20
2017–18 Premier League 000000—00
2018–19 00—00—00
Total 0000200020
Brighton & Hove Albion Reserves & Academy 2016–17 ———3[lower-alpha 1]030
2018–19 ———3[lower-alpha 2]030
Total ———6060
Newport County (loan) 2017–18[50] League Two 42150203[lower-alpha 3]0521
Peterborough United (loan) 2018–19[51] League One 15110—00161
Leeds United (loan) 2019–20[52] Championship 461102000491
Career total 10337060901253
  1. 3 appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. 3 appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. 3 appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Leeds United

Individual

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  2. "Benjamin White". 11v11. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  3. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=94482
  4. "WHITE DELIGHTED WITH REWARD OF NEW CONTRACT". Brighton & Hove Albion. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  5. "Derby County 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. "Brighton & Hove Albion 4–0 Colchester United - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  7. "Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Nottingham Forest - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  8. "Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 Rotherham United - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  9. "Reading 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  10. "Oxford United 2–4 Brighton & Hove Albion - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  11. "Leeds United 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  12. David Williams (1 August 2017). "Ben White loan signing a 'big coup' for Newport County AFC - boss Michael Flynn". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  13. "Southend United 0–2 Newport County". BBC Sport. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  14. White scores for Newport
  15. "Newport County 2–1 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  16. "Newport County 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur". Bbc.co.uk. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  17. "WHITE DELIGHTED WITH REWARD OF NEW CONTRACT". Brighton & Hove Albion. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  18. "Newport County boss heaps praise on Brighton & Hove Albion loan star Ben White". South Wales Argus. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  19. "Spurs target Ben White agrees new Brighton deal; speaks about Kane duel". HITC. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  20. "WHITE DELIGHTED WITH REWARD OF NEW CONTRACT". Brighton & Hove Albion. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  21. "Ben White has role to play with Dunk ruled out". The Argus. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  22. "WHITE ALWAYS HAPPY TO ASSISTS - News - Brighton & Hove Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  23. "Burnley 1-0 Brighton: James Tarkowski goal earns Clarets hard-fought win - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  24. "DEFENDER HEADS OUT ON LOAN - News - Brighton & Hove Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  25. "Middlesbrough 5-0 Peterborough in FA Cup third round - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  26. "Peterborough United 2-1 Rochdale - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  27. "Peterborough United 2-0 Southend United - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  28. "Peterborough United 3–1 Burton Albion: - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  29. "Doncaster Rovers 2–0 Coventry City - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  30. "Ben White signs new contract with Brighton but joins Leeds United on loan". Brighton & Hove Independent. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  31. "WHITE: HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF - News - Brighton & Hove Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  32. "Leeds United sign Jack Harrison & Ben White". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  33. "Why Leeds United - First Team". Leeds Live. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  34. "Bristol City 1 Leeds 3". Leeds United. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  35. "BEN WHITE NAMED PFA FANS' PLAYER OF THE MONTH". Leeds United. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  36. "Liverpool 'genuinely interested' in Brighton defender Ben White". Liverpool Official Site. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  37. "Brighton boss responds to Liverpool and Man Utd transfer interest in Ben White". The Mirror. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  38. "Ben White voted Championship's best young player by Sky Sports readers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  39. "He's playing in the Championship and developed outside 'the system' but Kalvin Phillips is ready for England". 15 January 2020 – via The Athletic.
  40. "Championship: Leeds United promoted to Premier League after 16-year absence - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  41. "Ben White ends loan stint with brilliant goal for Leeds". The Argus. 22 July 2020.
  42. "Leeds' Ben White wins July Goal of the Month". EFL. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  43. "LEEDS UNITED PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS". Leeds United. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  44. "'He wore it brilliantly' - YEP's Leeds United Player of the Season revealed". Yorkshire Evening Post. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  45. "Why Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White is earning rave reviews at Newport County". The Argus. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  46. ""I'M ABSOLUTELY BUZZING TO BE HERE" BEN WHITE". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  47. "Why Leeds United signed centre-back Ben White - and what to expect from him". Leeds Live. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  48. "Ben White progress sees Brighton slap huge fee on Leeds loanee". Teamtalk. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  49. "Games played by Ben White in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  50. "Games played by Ben White in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  51. "Games played by Ben White in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  52. "Games played by Ben White in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  53. "Leeds United are champions!". Leeds United F.C. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  54. "Newport County boss heaps praise on Brighton & Hove Albion loan star Ben White". South Wales Argus. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  55. "LEEDS UNITED PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2020 WINNERS". Leeds United. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  56. "'He wore it brilliantly' - YEP's Leeds United Player of the Season revealed". YEP. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  57. "BEN WHITE NAMED PFA FANS' PLAYER OF THE MONTH". Leeds United. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  58. "Leeds' Ben White wins July Goal of the Month". EFL. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
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