Declan Frith

Declan Frith (born 16 May 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays for Valencia Mestalla, the reserve side of Valencia. He began his career at Welling United before spending time in the academies of both Aston Villa and Chelsea, appearing for both their U21 sides in the EFL Trophy.

Declan Frith
Personal information
Full name Declan Frith[1]
Date of birth (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002
Place of birth England[2]
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Left-back, midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Valencia B
Number 12
Youth career
0000–2021 Welling United
2021 Chelsea
2021–2023 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Valencia B 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:04, 4 November 2021 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

Having trialled with Charlton Athletic, Bromley and Sutton United, Frith failed to find a club to sign a professional contract with after leaving school. A further trial at Southend United would also prove unsuccessful, and he eventually settled at non-league Welling United.[3]

A change in FIFA regulations and the effects of Brexit meant that Premier League side Chelsea had to branch out their scouting network, notably bringing in a number of young, non-league players.[4] As a result of this, Frith was offered a trial with the West London-based club in February 2021, and signed in May of the same year.[5][6]

Initially signed as a left-sided defender, Frith was used sparingly on both the left and right sides of midfield, he managed a total of five appearances for Chelsea's under-23 side, including featuring in an EFL Trophy game against Exeter City.[6][7] After initially being set for release at the end of the 2020–21 season, Frith continued to feature for the club’s youth teams.[7]

He eventually left Chelsea at the end of August 2021, and signed a professional contract with fellow Premier League side Aston Villa on 13 October 2021.[3][8][9] He settled quickly into the youth team of his new club, notably scoring twice on his debut against West Midlands rivals Birmingham City U23s.[10][11] He followed this up with a hat-trick against Coventry Sphinx in the first round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.[12] On 16 June 2023, Frith was released by Aston Villa.[13]

Move to Spain

On 5 September 2023, Frith signed for Valencia CF Mestalla, the reserve side of Valencia CF, managed by Miguel Angel Angulo.[14][15]

Career statistics
As of 18 October 2022.[7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea U21 2021–22 ————1[lower-alpha 1]010
Aston Villa U21 2022–23 ————2[lower-alpha 1]020
Career total 000000003030
  1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 released lists". premierleague.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  2. Declan Frith at WorldFootball.net
  3. Townley, John (2 November 2021). "The inside story of new Aston Villa wonderkid after his Birmingham City heroics". birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  4. Kinsella, Nizaar (5 October 2021). "How Brexit made Chelsea look to non-league for next wave of talent recruitment". goal.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  5. Winter, Lewis (12 May 2021). "Chelsea announce signing of two youngsters ahead of summer transfer window". express.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. "Chelsea transfer round-up: Romelu Lukaku fee set, Kingsley Coman linked with switch". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. Declan Frith at Soccerway
  8. "Frith joins Villa Academy". avfc.co.uk. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  9. Kingsley, Igho (13 October 2021). "Photo confirmation : 19-year-old Chelsea winger completes transfer to Aston Villa". allnigeriasoccer.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  10. Dick, Brian (16 October 2021). "The new Aston Villa signing who has already emulated Grealish and Agbonlahor". birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  11. Owen, Danny (22 October 2021). "Aston Villa Coach Blown Away by Teenager who Joined just Weeks Ago". hitc.com. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  12. "Villa to take on Stourbridge in Birmingham Senior Cup". avfc.co.uk. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  13. "Premier League clubs publish 2022/23 retained lists". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  14. Álvarez, V. (2023-09-03). "El Valencia Mestalla asegura el fichaje de Declan Frith". Superdeporte (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  15. Sadiq, Ansser (2023-09-04). "DONE DEAL: Valencia snap up Aston Villa defender Declan Frith - Tribal Football". www.tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
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