Björn Hardley

Björn Bryan Hardley (born 19 December 2002) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a defender for Eredivisie club Utrecht.[3]

Björn Hardley
Personal information
Full name Björn Bryan Hardley[1]
Date of birth (2002-12-19) 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
 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)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:34, 26 July 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

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

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

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]

International career

Hardley is eligible to represent the Netherlands and Suriname.[10]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 13 December 2022[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U21 2020–21 —————0000
2021–22 —————3[lower-alpha 1]131
2022–23 —————5[lower-alpha 1]050
Total————8181
Career total 000000108181
  1. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". PremierLeague.com. Premier League. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  2. Björn Hardley at WorldFootball.net
  3. "Björn Hardley". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  4. "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.
  5. 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)
  6. 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.
  7. Marshall, Adam (24 August 2021). "Reds lose Papa John's Trophy opener". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  8. "Hardley transfer confirmed". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  9. "Manchester United player follows Zidane Iqbal to FC Utrecht as defender completes transfer". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  10. 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.
  11. Björn Hardley at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 December 2022.


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