Nathan Delfouneso

Loans to the Championship On 8 March 2011, Delfouneso signed for Burnley of the Football League Championship until the end of the season. He made his debut the same day, playing at Hull City's KC Stadium. Delfouneso scored past on-loan Aston Villa teammate Brad Guzan just five minutes into his first start for The Clarets. On 23 January 2012, Delfouneso signed a one-month loan deal with Leicester City. He made five appearances for the Foxes, all as a substitute, but did not manage to score a goal.

On 31 August 2012, Delfouneso signed a one-year loan deal with Championship side Blackpool. He made his debut the following day as a 66th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. He scored his first goals for the club on 18 September, scoring twice in a 4–1 win against Middlesbrough. On 16 August 2013 it was confirmed that Delfouneso had re-signed on loan with Blackpool on a six-month deal. He played eleven league games in his second spell at Bloomfield Road, before returning to his parent club on 2 January 2014.

On 30 January 2014, Delfouneso joined Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. Delfouneso struggled for fitness during his spell and managed only two league goals in 14 appearances. His first came against Walsall in March, with his second and last goal for Coventry coming in a 2–1 defeat at Bramall Lane at the end of the 2013–14 season. He was also credited for a goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers that was later awarded as a Danny Batth own-goal.

Permanent return to Blackpool After two previous loan spells at Bloomfield Road, Delfouneso signed a one-year contract with Blackpool, with the option of a second, in July 2014. He made his first start for the club in his new spell with them on 9 August. He was released in May 2015.

Blackburn Rovers, Bury (loan) and Swindon On 6 August 2015, following Delfouneso's release from Blackpool, he signed for Blackburn Rovers on a one-year deal and was handed the number 7 shirt. On 11 August 2015, he scored his first Rovers goal with a header against Shrewsbury Town in a 2–1 defeat at Ewood Park in the Football League Cup first round. He also found the back of the net at Huddersfield on 15 August 2015, his second goal for the Rovers, in a Championship clash. On 18 March 2016, Delfouneso joined Bury on loan until 19 April.

On 18 August 2016, Delfouneso signed for Swindon Town until the end of the 2016–17 season.

Return to Blackpool On 21 January 2017, Delfouneso re-joined Blackpool on a permanent deal for the second time and fourth time overall, signing a deal until the end of the 2016–17 campaign. His contract was extended by Blackpool at the end of the 2017–18 season after they exercised an option.

In May 2019 he signed a new two-year contract with Blackpool.

Bolton Wanderers On 6 August 2020, Delfouneso joined Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal. After scoring four goals in pre-season his competitive debut came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 1–2 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup. He scored his first competitive goal on 3 October, scoring Bolton's second goal in a 2–1 win against Harrogate Town.

On 31 January 2022, Delfouneso joined EFL League Two side Bradford City on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season. On 3 May, Bolton confirmed that he would be released at the end of his contract.

Accrington Stanley On 20 September 2022, Delfouneso signed for League One club Accrington Stanley on a short-term contract. On 20 January 2023, Delfouneso left the club.

AFC Fylde On 18 March 2023, Delfouneso signed for AFC Fylde on a short-term contract.

Hednesford Town

On 16 February 2024, he joined Hednesford Town along with four other players after a short spell with Chorley.

International career On the international scene, Delfouneso first came to notice playing for the England U16 team – collecting eight caps and scoring three goals during this period, two were scored in the 2006 Victory Shield. In October 2007, Delfouneso marked his debut for the England U17 team with a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory over Malta.

Delfouneso made his debut for the England U19 team on 8 October 2008 in a UEFA Championship Qualifying tie against Albania. The striker came on as an 18th-minute substitute and netted the second goal in a comfortable 3–0 victory. He added another brace to his tally in the semi-final match against France to put England through to the final of the 2009 UEFA Under-19 Championship.

On 22 February 2010, Delfouneso received his first call up to the England under-21 squad, On 3 March 2010, he scored on his debut for them against Greece in a 2–1 defeat.

Delfouneso was named in the final 18-man squad for the 2010 UEFA Under-19 Championship, which took place in France.

Delfouneso scored his second U-21 international goal against Iceland at Deepdale in a 2–1 friendly defeat in March 2011.

He scored his third goal for the England under-21 team on 5 September 2011 in a 4–1 win against Israel at Oakwell.

Career statistics

Honours Aston Villa Football League Cup runner-up: 2009–10

Blackpool EFL League Two play-offs: 2017

England U16 Victory Shield: 2006

England U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2009

Individual Aston Villa Players' Young Player of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10 Aston Villa Supporters' Young Player of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Golden Boot: 2009