Lloyd Kelly

Lloyd Casius Kelly (born 6 October 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a left-back.

Lloyd Kelly
Kelly in 2020
Personal information
Full nameLloyd Casius Kelly[1]
Date of birth (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 25)[2]
Place of birthBristol, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3][4]
Position(s)Centre-back, left-back
Team information
Current team
AFC Bournemouth
Number5
Youth career
2011–2017Bristol City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2017–2019Bristol City43(2)
2019–AFC Bournemouth119(2)
International career
2017–2018England U209(0)
2018–2021England U2110(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 February and 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Bristol City

Kelly joined Bristol City at the age of 12 after he was spotted playing for local side Bristol Central. In 2015–16, he was included in City's pre-season squad that visited Portugal. On 8 August 2017, Kelly made his debut for Bristol City in a 5–0 victory against Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Cup.[5] Kelly made his first league start on 23 December 2017 against Queens Park Rangers, and scored his first league goal against Reading just three days later.[6][7] At the end of the 2017–18 season, he was named the Senior Reds' Young Player of the Year.[8]

On 19 March 2018, he was named in the EFL "Team of the Week" for gameweek 38. He was praised for his 'maturity in defence' as well as providing the assist for the only goal of the game against Ipswich Town.[9]

AFC Bournemouth

On 18 May 2019, Kelly signed for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth for an undisclosed fee, reported as £13 million, after eight years at Bristol City.[10] He made his debut for Bournemouth in an EFL Cup tie against Burton Albion on 25 September 2019.[11] His league debut followed in June 2020 when he played as a substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on 17 April 2021 in a 3–1 win against Norwich City.[13]

For the 2021–22 season, Kelly began to captain Bournemouth in the absence of club captain Steve Cook, beginning with the opening fixture of the campaign; a 2–2 home draw against West Bromwich Albion.[14] Kelly started the first 14 games of the season, playing a pivotal role in the Cherries' unbeaten start. This 14 game unbeaten run equalled a club record dating back to 1961.[15] Kelly scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 home win against Huddersfield Town.[16] Kelly was later confirmed as the Cherries' club captain after the departure of previous captain Steve Cook.[17]

International career

In August 2017, Kelly made his debut for England U20, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 win over the Netherlands.[18] On 12 November 2018, he received his first call-up to the under-21 side[19] and made his debut as a third minute substitute during a 2–1 win over Italy in Ferrara on 15 November 2018.[20]

Kelly was a member of England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship[21] and 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[22]

Personal life

Born in England, Kelly is of Jamaican descent.[23] From the age of six, Kelly spent twelve years in foster care alongside his siblings.[24][25]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 February 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol City2016–17[26]Championship00000000
2017–18[27]Championship1111020141
2018–19[28]Championship3211010341
Total4322030482
AFC Bournemouth2019–20[29]Premier League80001090
2020–21[30]Championship36110202[a]0411
2021–22[31]Championship4110010421
2022–23[32]Premier League2301000240
2023–24[33]Premier League1101011131
Total11923051201173
Career total15245081201655

Honours

AFC Bournemouth

Individual

References

External links

  • Profile at the AFC Bournemouth website