Ne-Jai Tucker

Ne-Jai Tucker (born 20 August 2002) is a Bermudan footballer who last played for Burnley as a midfielder. He is a full Bermuda international.

Ne-Jai Tucker
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-08-20) 20 August 2002
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
North Village Rams
ABC Valencia
Manchester City
Burnley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Burnley 0 (0)
International career‡
2019 Bermuda U-17 3 (0)
2020 Bermuda U-20
2023 Bermuda U-23
2023- Bermuda 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:15, 23 September 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:15, 23 September 2023 (UTC)

Early life

From the age of four years-old Tucker played football for North Village Rams and ABC Valencia on the island of Bermuda. At the age of eleven he moved with his family to the United Kingdom. He spent a couple of years in the Manchester City academy before being scouted playing football near Manchester for Urmston Sports Club in May 2016, and was invited to trial for Burnley, and played for the Burnley under-15s at Turf Moor the following day.[1]

Career

Burnley

In July 2021 Tucker signed his first professional contract with Burnley.[2][3] In September 2021 Tucker scored his first goal for the Burnley under-23 team in Premier League 2 against Southampton under-23s at St Mary's Stadium.[4] Tucker’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season,[5] but Burnley announced they had activated the option for a further year in June 2022.[6] Tucker was personally name checked by new Burnley manager Vincent Kompany as a youngster that had impressed him during pre-season training in July 2022.[7] He was released by Burnley at the end of the 2022-23 season.[8]

International career

Tucker is a Bermuda international.[9] He represented the Bermuda national under-20 football team in 2020 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying matches.[10] He scored for Bermuda U23s at the 2023 Island Games, held in Guernsey.[11]

He made his senior debut for Bermuda in September 2023 in the CONCACAF Nations League against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national football team.[12]

References
  1. "The Burnley experience: before there was Nahki, there was Ne-Jai". Royal Gazette.
  2. "Ne-Jai Tucker signs professional terms with Burnley". Royal Gazette.
  3. "Ne-Jai Tucker Signs With Burnley Football Club". Bernews.com.
  4. "Ne-Jai Tucker breaks his scoring duck in Premier League 2". Royal Gazette.
  5. "Premier League players in the making - the top 10 Burnley wonderkids and what the future might hold". Lancs Live.
  6. "Ben Mee decision made as Burnley FC release retained list". Burnley Express.
  7. "Vincent Kompany namechecks two standout Burnley prospects as Clarets youngsters ask question". Lancs Live.
  8. McDougal, John (May 13, 2023). "Burnley confirm 18 players to leave as Clarets retained list announced". lancs.live. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  9. "Seven sign first professional contracts at Burnley". Burnley Express.
  10. "Tucker Leads the Young Internationals". uptheclarets.com.
  11. Wright, Stephen (July 10, 2023). "Two More Wins For Bermuda Football Teams". Bernews.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  12. "ST. VINCENT / GRENADINES VS. BERMUDA 4 - 3". Soccerway. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

Ne-Jai Tucker at Soccerway

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