Jason Denayer

Jason Grégory Marianne Denayer (born 28 June 1995) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Pro League club Al Fateh and the Belgium national team.

He made his professional debut while on loan at Celtic, being named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year after helping them win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup.

He then spent the following season on loan at Galatasaray, helping them win the Turkish Cup.

In 2013, Lierse, who are in partnership with the JMG Academy, attempted to sign Denayer.

However, he rejected their offer and instead moved abroad to England to try and find a club.

He had a trial at Liverpool, but club and player failed to reach an agreement.

He then went for a trial at Manchester City.

In July 2013 Denayer joined the Manchester City academy.

In the summer transfer window, Denayer signed his first professional contract at Manchester City after a successful trial.

Denayer was ever present for the club's campaign in the UEFA Youth League, where he made eight appearances, scoring once in a 6–0 win over Bayern Munich.

Denayer also played a huge role in domestic competitions where he helped the club finish fourth in the Professional U21 Development League, as well as reaching the final of the U21 Premier League Cup.

In pre-season during July 2014, Denayer was included in the first team and started in a 2–0 friendly loss away against Dundee.

On 12 August 2014, Celtic signed Denayer on a season-long loan from Manchester City, making him one of Ronny Deila's first major signings as Celtic manager.

Denayer revealed that Vincent Kompany and Patrick Vieira played a vital role for him in joining the club.

He scored on his debut and was named man of the match in a 6–1 victory at home to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Four days later, on 20 August 2014, Denayer made his Champions League debut, in a 1–1 draw against Maribor, where he was part of the starting line-up.

His second goal came in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen on 13 September 2014.

The defender scored again for Celtic on 18 October 2014, in a 5–0 win over Ross County.

By the end of December, Denayer had made 17 appearances for Celtic and formed a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

Denayer commented about playing alongside Van Dijk: "We play well together and he is a very good player", adding "I am also learning from him as well. He has more experience than me and he knows what to say to me. I listen to him because I know he can help make me a better player."

Just months after arriving at Celtic, reports claimed that Celtic were keen to extend Denayer's loan spell by another year.

However, Denayer immediately ruled out joining Celtic on a permanent basis, insisting that he hoped to earn a first team place at Manchester City in the near future.

Manchester City kept an eye on Denayer's progress at Celtic, with Development Side coach Patrick Vieira stating "When I watch Jason playing for Celtic, or Marcos Lopes playing at Lille, it makes us really proud. The way they are performing lets me know we are doing things the right stuff [sic]", and adding "The object is to provide players for the first team, but we know the gap is massive from under-21 to the first team – but this is one way we can get them there."

He played several times for Belgium at Under-19 and Under-21 levels, before making his full senior debut in March 2015.

On 10 July 2015, it was confirmed that he would be in the club's squad for their pre-season tour in Australia.

Denayer signed a new five-year deal on 13 July 2015.

Denayer won his first major trophy on 15 March 2015 when he played in Celtic's 2–0 win over Dundee United in the League Cup Final at Hampden Park.

He was described as being "strong in the tackle" and "comfortable with the ball".

Denayer himself stated that "It is the first cup final and first win of my career, so it was a very special day for me."

He also praised Celtic manager Ronny Deila: "He has been a very good coach for me", adding "I think I have improved and got better at Celtic. He [Deila] has trusted me to play and I have learned so much from that."

He was named in Belgium's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 and made one appearance, playing in their quarter-final tie against Wales.

He also featured at UEFA Euro 2020 and in the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals where he took fourth place.

Denayer was born in Jette, Brussels, Belgium, to a Congolese mother and Belgian father.

Denayer started playing football at age six, where he started out at FC Ganshoren and then Anderlecht.

At the age of 13, he joined the JMG Academy in Lier.

It was there he was converted from playing as a striker to becoming a defender.

Denayer credits his time at JMG for honing his football technique.

Youths at the academy do not play normal competition football, instead taking part in small-sided games among each other, focusing on technique and education in a private school.

They trained in bare feet to improve their touch; "It helps to develop your technical skills. Once you've reached a certain level, you're allowed to put on shoes. From then on the training is focused on technique and playing in small spaces" explained Denayer.

He described the regime as "tough", adding "Your day started at 7 am and ended at 10:30 pm. In between you had 90 minutes – just before bedtime – to call your friends or family. It was playing football, studying, eat, sleep".