Jayden Onen

Jayden Roy Onen (born 17 February 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.

Onen is a product of the Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion academies and began his professional career with Brentford B in 2018. Following spells with the U23 teams at Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, he moved to the United States in 2023. There he played for USL League One clubs Forward Madison, Lexington SC and FC Naples.

Club career

Youth years An attacking midfielder, Onen began his career in the Arsenal academy, before joining Crystal Palace on a scholarship deal in 2017. He remained at Selhurst Park until December 2017, when he joined the Brighton & Hove Albion academy as a scholar. Onen made one EFL Trophy appearance for Albion's U21 team during the 2018–19 season,

English Football League On 17 December 2018, Onen transferred to the B team at Championship club Brentford and signed an 18-month contract. A one-month loan at National League club Bromley in late 2019 yielded just one injury time substitute appearance.

On 6 November 2020, after a successful trial period, Onen joined the U23 team at Championship club Reading on a contract running until the end of the 2020–21 season. During the remainder of the season, he was an unused substitute for the first team on 16 occasions and made two appearances prior to the expiration of his contract.

Following a trial spell, Onen signed a contract running until the end of the 2021–22 season with the U23 team at League One club Sheffield Wednesday.

USL League One On 17 January 2023, Onen signed a one-year contract with USL League One club Forward Madison. He made 27 appearances and scored four goals during a 2023 season which concluded with a playoff quarter-final defeat. Onen's performances were recognised with a nomination for the USL League One Young Player of the Year award. In January 2024, he joined Lexington SC on a free transfer and made 14 appearances during the 2024 season. On 9 December 2024, Onen became FC Naples' first ever signing ahead of the club's inaugural season in 2025. He made 32 appearances and scored seven goals during the 2025 season, Onen was released at the end of the 2025 season.

International career Onen was called up to the Uganda squad for two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2020, which were later postponed. He participated in a training camp in Dubai in October 2020.

Personal life Onen was born at North Middlesex Hospital. He is of Ugandan descent on his father's side.

Bromley (loan)

Reading 2020–21 Championship

Forward Madison 2023 0 32 7

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