Brayden Clarke

Brayden Cian Clarke (born 3 July 2007) is a footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League side Arsenal. He is a Wales under-19 international.

Early career Clarke was born on 3 July 2007 in Birmingham, West Midlands as his father Nigel Quashie was playing for West Bromwich Albion at the time. In 2010, at the age of three, he moved to Hagley. Clarke started his youth career at local club West Hagley and Stourbridge FC before joining the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy at nine years old.

In December 2022, at the age of 15, he made his debut for the Wolves U21 side.

In March 2024, Clarke joined the academy of fellow Premier League club Arsenal.

In July 2024, Clarke signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

In May 2025, he received his first senior team call-up and was named on the bench for Arsenal in a Premier League match at the age of 17.

In July 2026, Clarke made his senior first-team debut for Arsenal in a 4–1 victory over Girona in the 49th Costa Brava Trophy.

International career Clarke was born in England and is of Welsh and English descent through his mother and English, Scottish and Ghanaian descent through his father. Clarke featured for Wales at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2023 and 2024. He is the only player in Wales' history to play in 2 consecutive Euro finals. He has also played for Wales at the UEFA European Under-19s Championship in 2025.

In 2026, Clarke was selected for the Wales under-19 squad for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals. His selection made him the first Wales player to be selected for three UEFA European Championship finals tournaments at youth level. He also captained Wales throughout the tournament.