Charlie Setford

Charlie Terence Setford (born 11 May 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Eerste Divisie club Jong Ajax.

Born in the Netherlands, he represents England at youth level.

Club career Ajax Setford was scouted by AFC Ajax at age 7 (at Football club BSM in Bennebroek), and he has been part of the club ever since. He made the bench on three more occasions before the end of the season. Aged only 17, this made him the youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Ajax. Jong Ajax won 3–2 and Setford made an important one-on-one save.

Setford also made the bench for the senior Ajax team for the league match against PEC Zwolle on 11 September 2021, and from then on has made regular appearances on the bench for the seniors, including in the UEFA Champions League match against Beşiktaş on 28 September 2021.

International career Setford was born in the Netherlands to an English father and a Dutch mother, and is eligible to play for both England and the Netherlands at international level. He has played for both nations at youth level, playing a combined four appearances for Netherlands U15 and Netherlands U16 before 2020, as well as making five appearances for the England U16 team. He made his first appearance on 3 September 2021, starting a 1–1 draw against Wales U18. On 18 March 2022, he received his first call up the England U20 squad.

Setford is considered one of the most exciting England prospects of his generation.

Personal life Charlie has a younger brother, Tommy Setford, who is also a goalkeeper and currently plays for Stevenage, on loan from Arsenal as well as the England U21s.

Setford's favourite team other than Ajax is Southampton, as his English father is from Alton near the city.