Ben Nelson

Benjamin Harvey Nelson (born 18 March 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for club Leicester City.

Club career Nelson joined Leicester City's youth team at the age of 9. In the 2020–21 season, Nelson featured in a first-team squad during Leicester City's UEFA Europa League campaign. He was named Academy Player of the Season at the end of the season. He was recalled from his loan on 6 January 2023. Later that month he joined Doncaster Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season.

In the 2023–24 season, Nelson was promoted to the first team. On 29 August 2023, he made his senior debut for Leicester as an 82nd-minute substitute for James Justin in a 2–0 away win over Tranmere Rovers in the Second Round of the EFL Cup. On 8 December 2023, he signed a new contract until 2027. On 2 March 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 league defeat against Queens Park Rangers.

On 30 August 2024, Nelson signed for Championship side Oxford United on a season-long loan. On 5 November 2024, he tore tendons in his quadriceps muscle during United's 1–0 win against Hull City.

International career Nelson is eligible to play for either England or Scotland. After making one appearance for Scotland's under-16 team, he made his England U18 debut starting in a 3–2 defeat against the Netherlands on 11 November 2021.

On 21 September 2022, Nelson made his England U19 debut during a 2–0 2023 U19 EURO qualifying win over Montenegro.

On 22 March 2024, Nelson made a goalscoring debut for the England Elite League squad during a 5–1 win over Poland at the Bialystok City Stadium.

On 29 August 2025, Nelson was called up to the under-21s.

Career statistics

Honours Leicester City EFL Championship: 2023–24