Ashley Phillips

Ashley Phillips (né Famuyiwa; born 26 June 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Middlesbrough.

Club career Blackburn Rovers In September 2021, it was reported that Phillips had agreed to a three-year professional contract with Blackburn to come into effect from his seventeenth birthday the following June. However, by August 2022, Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson said the contract had not yet been signed. Phillips was named in the starting XI for his professional debut in the EFL Cup in a 4–0 victory at home at Ewood Park against Hartlepool United on 10 August 2022. Phillips made his league debut on 14 August 2022 in the game against West Bromwich Albion, playing 71 minutes in a 2–1 win. Phillips signed his first professional contract on 20 September 2022 committing his future to Blackburn Rovers until June 2025.

Tottenham Hotspur On 5 August 2023, Phillips signed for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur after they activated his £2m release clause. On 8 January 2024, Phillips joined Championship club Plymouth Argyle on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season. Phillips made sixteen appearances for the club, helping them to avoid relegation, and was named their Young Player of the Season. On 23 August 2024, Phillips returned to the Championship, joining Stoke City on a season-long loan deal. Phillips scored his first goal in professional football on 29 October 2024 in a 3–2 EFL Cup defeat against Southampton. Phillips made 39 appearances for Stoke scoring one goal, as they finished in 18th position, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

Phillips returned to Stoke on loan for the 2025–26 season. Phillips received his first senior red card in a 1–1 draw against his former side Blackburn Rovers, picking up two yellow cards for fouls on Yūki Ōhashi. Phillips was a regular starter under Mark Robins in 2025–26, making 44 appearances becoming a popular player amongst the supporters.

Middlesbrough On 15 August 2026, Phillips signed a five-year contract with EFL Championship side Middlesbrough.

International career Phillips was born in England to a Nigerian father and Welsh mother. On 9 April 2021, he made his debut for the Wales U16s coming off the bench in a 3–2 win against England U16. On 1 October 2021, Phillips was called up to the England U17 squad. On 16 September 2022, Phillips along with Rovers teammate Adam Wharton were called up to the England U19 squad, making his debut in a 2–0 win against Montenegro U19. On 9 June 2023, Phillips made his England U18 debut during a 2–2 draw with Norway at the Lisbon International Tournament. On 6 September 2024, Phillips made his England U20 debut during a 1–1 draw away to Turkey. On 29 August 2025, Phillips was called up to the under-21s. He made his debut as a substitute during a 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification win away to Kazakhstan on 8 September 2025.

Style of play Speaking in November 2021, then first team manager Tony Mowbray described Phillips as "phenomenal" and commented that as well as being 6 feet 4 inches tall Phillips had great ball-playing ability. Mowbray stated, "He's fast, mobile and can pass it really well. He can use both feet, he's composed...if you were to create a defender in the mould of how you would want one, this kid has got every attribute."

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Blackburn Rovers 2022–23 Championship

Tottenham Hotspur U21 2023–24 Premier League

2024–25 Premier League

2025–26 Premier League

0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2023–24