Adam Clayton (footballer) facts for kids
Clayton with Bradford City in 2023
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Stephen Clayton | ||
| Date of birth | 14 January 1989 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Matlock Town (player/coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1996–2008 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2008–2010 | Manchester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 28 | (1) |
| 2010 | → Leeds United (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2010–2012 | Leeds United | 45 | (6) |
| 2010–2011 | → Peterborough United (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2011 | → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 6 | (1) |
| 2012–2014 | Huddersfield Town | 85 | (11) |
| 2014–2020 | Middlesbrough | 213 | (1) |
| 2020–2021 | Birmingham City | 14 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Doncaster Rovers | 33 | (0) |
| 2023 | Bradford City | 14 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Rochdale | 27 | (0) |
| 2024 | Liversedge | 10 | (0) |
| 2024– | Matlock Town | 13 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2009 | England U20 | 4 | (0) |
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Adam Stephen Clayton (born on January 14, 1989) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Matlock Town, where he is also a coach.
Adam started his professional career at Manchester City. During his time there, he went on loan to other clubs like Carlisle United and Leeds United. His loan to Leeds became a permanent move in 2010. He also had loan spells at Peterborough United and Milton Keynes Dons.
He became a regular player for Leeds in the 2011–12 season. After that, he played for Huddersfield Town for two years. In 2014, he joined Middlesbrough. With Middlesbrough, he helped the team get promoted to the Premier League. He played for Middlesbrough for six seasons before moving to Birmingham City in 2020. Later, he played for Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Rochdale, and Liversedge. In 2024, he joined Matlock Town as a player and coach.
Adam also represented England's under-20 team in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Manchester City
Adam Clayton was born in Manchester and joined Manchester City when he was just seven years old. He signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2007. During the 2008–09 season, he was a substitute in a few matches but didn't get to play. In May 2009, he signed a new two-year contract.
Loan to Carlisle United
In November 2009, Adam joined Carlisle United on loan. He made his first professional appearance on November 7, 2009, in an FA Cup match. A few days later, he scored his first senior goal for Carlisle in a Football League Trophy game. He also made his Football League debut soon after.
His loan was extended, and he helped Carlisle reach the 2010 Football League Trophy Final. He scored in the semi-final and helped his team win a penalty shootout. Carlisle lost the final to Southampton. Adam played 36 games for Carlisle and scored three goals.
Moving to Leeds United
Adam joined Leeds United on a one-month loan in August 2010. He made his debut as a substitute. After playing just two games on loan, he signed a permanent three-year contract with Leeds.
Loan Spells for Experience
To get more playing time, Adam went on loan to Peterborough United in November 2010. He played eight games there. Later, in March 2011, he joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the season. He scored a winning goal against his old club, Carlisle United, helping MK Dons reach the play-off semi-finals.
Becoming a Regular at Leeds
When some of Leeds' main midfielders left, Adam got his chance to play more in the 2011–12 season. He started the first game and helped his team. He came close to scoring his first Leeds goal against Middlesbrough and then scored a late goal against West Ham United.
By mid-September, other big clubs were interested in him, but Adam said he wanted to stay at Leeds for a long time. He scored his third goal of the season against Peterborough United and then a fantastic winning goal against Leicester City. This goal, a long-range shot, won him the club's Goal of the Season award.
After a great season, Adam wanted to extend his contract, but they couldn't agree on terms. He was then put on the transfer list, meaning he could leave the club if a good offer came in.
Time at Huddersfield Town
On July 6, 2012, Adam joined Huddersfield Town for about £350,000. He made his debut in a League Cup match in August 2012. He scored his first goal for Huddersfield in a 2–2 draw against Ipswich Town. He also scored a penalty goal against Sheffield Wednesday.
In January 2014, Huddersfield turned down a £1 million offer from Brighton & Hove Albion for Adam. He had a strong 2013–14 season, playing 42 league games and scoring 7 goals. He won the club's Player of the Year award for his excellent performance.
Joining Middlesbrough
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On August 13, 2014, Adam signed a four-year deal with Middlesbrough. He quickly became a very important player in the midfield, working well with the team captain, Grant Leadbitter.
On May 7, 2016, Adam helped Middlesbrough get promoted to the Premier League after a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Even though new players joined, Adam and Leadbitter stayed and continued to play regularly in the Premier League. However, the team was relegated back to the Championship after one season.
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Adam continued to play regularly for Middlesbrough under new managers. He spent six seasons with the club. In 2020, his contract ended, and he left Middlesbrough.
Later Career Clubs
On September 1, 2020, Adam joined Birmingham City, signing a two-year contract. He made his debut in an EFL Cup match. He started the season well, but a foot injury affected his playing. His contract with Birmingham City ended in November 2021.
In January 2022, Adam signed with Doncaster Rovers. He played his first game for them as a substitute. In January 2023, he moved to Bradford City on a short-term contract and left when it ended.
In July 2023, Adam signed a one-year contract with Rochdale. He left Rochdale at the end of the 2023–24 season. In August 2024, he joined Liversedge in the Northern Premier League. After 11 games, he moved to Matlock Town in October 2024, taking on a role as both a player and a coach.
International Career
Adam was chosen to play for the England under-20 squad in March 2009. He made his international debut as a substitute in a friendly match against Italy, which England won 2–0.
He was part of England's team for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He played in two of England's three matches in the tournament, but the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester City | 2008–09 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Carlisle United (loan) | 2009–10 | League One | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 2 | 36 | 3 | |
| Leeds United | 2010–11 | Championship | 4 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Championship | 43 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 46 | 6 | ||
| Total | 47 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 50 | 6 | |||
| Peterborough United (loan) | 2010–11 | League One | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2010–11 | League One | 6 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Huddersfield Town | 2012–13 | Championship | 43 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 48 | 5 | |
| 2013–14 | Championship | 42 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 46 | 7 | ||
| Total | 85 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 94 | 12 | |||
| Middlesbrough | 2014–15 | Championship | 41 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Championship | 43 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 48 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 34 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 39 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | Championship | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 38 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | Championship | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 | ||
| Total | 213 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 241 | 1 | ||
| Birmingham City | 2020–21 | Championship | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |||
| Doncaster Rovers | 2021–22 | League One | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | League Two | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
| Total | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | ||
| Bradford City | 2022–23 | League Two | 14 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| Rochdale | 2023–24 | National League | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| Liversedge | 2024–25 | Northern Premier League (NPL) Division One East |
10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Matlock Town | 2024–25 | NPL Premier Division | 13 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 497 | 21 | 28 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 557 | 24 | ||
Honours
Carlisle United
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2009–10
Middlesbrough
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2015–16
Individual Awards
- PFA Team of the Year: 2015–16 Championship
- Huddersfield Town Player of the Year: 2013–14
- Middlesbrough Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16
See Also
In Spanish: Adam Clayton (futbolista) para niños
Images for kids
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Clayton with Bradford City in 2023
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Clayton (right) watches Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho on the final day of the 2016–17 Premier League season
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Clayton playing for Middlesbrough in December 2016
