Finley Christopher Ryan Munroe (born 8 February 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Primera Federación club Real Unión, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa. A left-footed player, Munroe can play across the defense and in defensive midfield.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Finley Christopher Ryan Munroe[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 8 February 2005[2] | ||
| Place of birth | England | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Real Unión (on loan from Aston Villa) | ||
| Number | 24 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Chelsea | ||
| 2021–2024 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Aston Villa | 1 | (0) |
| 2024– | → Real Unión (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:51, 28 October 2024 | |||
Club career
editMunroe started his career at the Chelsea Academy. During this time, former player Ashley Cole had identified Munroe as someone who should have a specialist scholarship.[3] Despite this, Munroe was released by Chelsea on 30 June 2021, allegedly for being too small,[4] and joined Aston Villa 9 days later.[5] He was given his first professional contract on 7 July 2022.[6]
Munroe made his first appearance in the Aston Villa first team on 26 January 2024, as an unused substitute in an FA Cup tie against former club Chelsea.[7] On 12 April 2024, Munroe was given a contract extension by Aston Villa.[8]
On 9 May 2024, Munroe made his first team debut as a late substitute in a 2–0 UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final defeat to Olympiacos.[9] On 19 May 2024, Munroe made his Premier League debut as a substitute in an away defeat to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.[10]
On 24 August 2024, Munroe signed for Aston Villa's sister club Real Unión on a season-long loan.[11]
Personal life
editMunroe is a cousin of Arsenal player Declan Rice.[7][12]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 26 October 2024[13]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Aston Villa U21 | 2023–24 | — | — | — | — | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Aston Villa | 2023–24 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Real Unión (loan) | 2024–25 | Primera Federación | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League
References
edit- ^ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". premierleague.com. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Finley Munroe". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "The five Aston Villa teenagers people are talking about ahead of next season". Yahoo News. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ Dawson, Jack (2024-05-21). "Who is Finley Munroe? Aston Villa's upcoming star who is related to Declan Rice". Aston Villa News. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
- ^ "Ten new scholars sign for Villa". Aston Villa Football Club. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ "Young Lions sign pro contracts". Aston Villa Football Club. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ a b Townley, John (2024-01-26). "Who is Finley Munroe? Declan Rice cousin named in Aston Villa squad vs Chelsea". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ "Finley Munroe pens professional contract". Aston Villa Football Club. 2024-04-12. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ "Villa out as Olympiakos reach Conference League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ "Mateta hat-trick helps Palace thrash Villa". BBC Sport. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
- ^ "Finley Munroe links up with Real Unión". Aston Villa Football Club. 2024-08-24. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
- ^ Hamid, Fahad (2024-01-27). "Declan Rice's cousin receives call-up from Aston Villa for FA Cup clash". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ Finley Munroe at Soccerway