# Alfie Chang > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alfie_Chang > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Alfie_Chang.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Chang > Source revision: 1336645452 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|English footballer}} {{use British English|date=August 2021}} {{use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Alfie Chang | image = Alfie Chang September 2021.jpg | caption = Chang pictured in 2021 | full_name = Alfie James Chang | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|9|4|df=y}} | birth_place = [Worcester](/source/Worcester%2C_England), England | height = | position = [Midfielder](/source/Midfielder) | currentclub = [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2021 | youthclubs1 = [Birmingham City](/source/Birmingham_City_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy) | years1 = 2021–2026 | clubs1 = [Birmingham City](/source/Birmingham_City_F.C.) | caps1 = 13 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2025 | clubs2 = → [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) (loan) | caps2 = 5 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2025–2026 | clubs3 = → [Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.) (loan) | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2026– | clubs4 = [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) | caps4 = 1 | goals4 = 0 | club-update = 2 January 2026 (UTC) }} '''Alfie James Chang''' (born 4 September 2002) is an English professional [footballer](/source/association_football) who plays as a [midfielder](/source/midfielder) for {{English football updater|Walsall}} club [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.). ==Early life and career== Alfie James Chang{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/202021/efl-professional-retain-list---2019-20.pdf |title=Club list of registered players |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2020 |page=3 |accessdate=24 August 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712152729/https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/202021/efl-professional-retain-list---2019-20.pdf |archivedate=12 July 2020 |url-status=dead}} was born in [Worcester](/source/Worcester%2C_England){{cite web |url=https://www.enfa.co.uk/playersearch.php |title=Player search: Chang, AJ (Alfie) |website=English National Football Archive |access-date=3 February 2025 |url-access=subscription}} on 4 September 2002. He attended [Droitwich Spa High School](/source/Droitwich_Spa_High_School).{{cite magazine |url=https://public.droitwichspahigh.worcs.sch.uk/Newsletters/Issue%20302%20-%2030%20Sep%202018.pdf |title=Year 11 |magazine=Newsletter |issue=302 |publisher=Droitwich High School |date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517145112/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Atz9yLtcObxQJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fpublic.droitwichspahigh.worcs.sch.uk%2FNewsletters%2FIssue%2520302%2520-%252030%2520Sep%25202018.pdf |archive-date=17 May 2021}} ==Career== ===Birmingham City=== He joined [Birmingham City's Academy](/source/Birmingham_City_F.C._Reserves_and_Academy) as an under-10,{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/player-detail-statistics-midfielder/534465 |title=Alfie Chang |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=3 February 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250204/https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/player-detail-statistics-midfielder/534465 |archive-date=4 February 2025}} and took up a two-year scholarship in July 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/revealed-blues-new-scholars-for-2019-20 |title=Revealed: Blues' new scholars for 2019/20 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=1 July 2019 |access-date=2 September 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807140851/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/revealed-blues-new-scholars-for-201920/ |archive-date=7 August 2019}} According to the then academy manager Kristjaan Speakman, Chang "is most effective as a deep midfield player. In this position he is able to dictate the tempo of the game and through calm and composed possession is able to demonstrate an excellent range of passing. In higher areas of the pitch he has the creativity and cleverness to construct play able to create opening for forward players." Playing in central midfield, he captained Birmingham's under-18s in their 2020–21 [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup) campaign,{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/man-city-youth-cup-delap-20086874 |title=Liam Delap gives Man City food for thought in transfer market with excellent FA Youth Cup display |first=Daniel |last=Murphy |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318082113/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/man-city-youth-cup-delap-20086874 |archive-date=18 March 2021 }} and played for Birmingham's U23 team as they beat [Sheffield United U23](/source/Sheffield_United_F.C._Academy) in the national final of that season's [Professional Development League](/source/Professional_Development_League).{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-manchester-simmonds-20665534 |title=Blues U23s vs Sheff Utd U23s player ratings: Man City trainee sparkles as George blunts Blades |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=24 May 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524160241/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-manchester-simmonds-20665534 |archive-date=24 May 2021 }} Chang was one of five under-18s offered their first professional contract in 2021,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57142960 |title=Birmingham City: Jon Toral and Dan Crowley among 13 players released |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524150859/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57142960 |archive-date=24 May 2021 }} and one of four who accepted.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/blues-quartet-sign-pro-deals |title=Blues quartet sign pro deals |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=15 July 2021 |access-date=2 September 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811092117/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2021/blues-quartet-sign-pro-deals/ |archive-date=11 August 2021 }} Chang was given a [squad number](/source/squad_number) and named on the bench for Birmingham's [2021–22 EFL Cup](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_EFL_Cup) first-round match at home to [Colchester United](/source/Colchester_United) of [League One](/source/EFL_League_One). He remained unused, but in the second round of the same competition, on 24 August, he replaced [Dion Sanderson](/source/Dion_Sanderson) after 73 minutes to make his senior debut as Birmingham lost 2–0 at home to [Fulham](/source/Fulham_F.C.).{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58239544 |title=EFL Cup: Birmingham City 0–2 Fulham |website=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2021 |access-date=24 August 2021}} His first senior start came a year later, in the first round of the [2022–23 EFL Cup](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_EFL_Cup) away to [Norwich City](/source/Norwich_City_F.C.), which Birmingham lost [on penalties](/source/penalty_shoot-out_(association_football)). "A composed midfield performance" in that game{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-player-ratings-norwich-24714751 |title=Birmingham City player ratings as Bellingham, Chang & Williams shine in Norwich defeat |first=Matt |last=Lee |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=9 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}} was followed four days later by his [Football League](/source/English_Football_League) debut. With [Ryan Woods](/source/Ryan_Woods_(footballer%2C_born_1993)) on the verge of leaving the club, Chang started alongside [Jordan James](/source/Jordan_James_(footballer%2C_born_2004)) in central midfield in Birmingham's visit to [Cardiff City](/source/Cardiff_City_F.C.) in the [Championship](/source/EFL_Championship); he played 75 minutes of the 1–0 defeat.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/birmingham-city-woods-hull-transfer-24748914 |title=Birmingham City transfer 'agreed' as midfielder misses Cardiff City clash |first=Josh |last=Holland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62445400 |title=Cardiff City 1–0 Birmingham City |first=Michael |last=Pearlman |website=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}} He went on to make 17 appearances in all competitions, including 13 matches (7 starts) in the Championship. In August 2023, Chang suffered a "significant knee injury" in training,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-midfielder-alfie-chang-27582682 |title=Birmingham City midfielder Alfie Chang suffers serious knee injury in training |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=24 August 2023 |access-date=3 February 2025}} later revealed to be tears to the [anterior](/source/anterior_cruciate_ligament) and [posterior cruciate ligament](/source/posterior_cruciate_ligament)s, the [medial collateral ligament](/source/medial_collateral_ligament) and [the meniscus](/source/meniscus_tear),{{cite tweet |number=1866182412935241809 |user=bcfcacademy |author=Birmingham City Academy |author-link=Birmingham City F.C. Reserves and Academy |title=August 2023: Tears his ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus in pre-season training. December 2024: Scores five minutes into his first game back from injury. Great to have you back, Alfie Chang. |date=9 December 2024 |access-date=3 February 2025}} which kept him out for the entire 2023–24 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-aflie-chang-injury-29646698 |title=Chris Davies explains the situation with Birmingham City's forgotten man |last=Dicken |first=Alex |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=31 July 2024 |access-date=16 August 2024}} He eventually returned to the first team on 11 January 2025, after 522 days out, as a second-half substitute against [Lincoln City](/source/Lincoln_City_F.C.) in the [2024–25 FA Cup](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_FA_Cup) with his side 2–0 ahead. In [stoppage time](/source/stoppage_time), the [referee](/source/referee_(association_football)) awarded a penalty to Lincoln for a foul by Chang, which Birmingham manager [Chris Davies](/source/Chris_Davies_(football_coach)) thought would not have been given had [VAR](/source/video_assistant_referee) been available.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-alfie-chang-davies-30759974 |title=Alfie Chang gesture revealed after Birmingham City man plays first game in 522 days |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=12 January 2025 |access-date=3 February 2025}} ==== Walsall (loan) ==== With the aim of playing regular first-team football, Chang joined [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) club [Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) on 3 February 2025 on loan for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2025/02/03/walsall-land-birmingham-city-midfielder-on-loan/ |title=Walsall land Birmingham City midfielder on loan |first=George |last=Bennett |newspaper=Express & Star |location=Wolverhampton |date=3 February 2025 |access-date=4 February 2025}} ====Bristol Rovers (loan)==== On 1 September 2025, Chang signed a season long loan deal with League Two club [Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.) with an option to buy.{{cite web |title=Alfie Chang joins Bristol Rovers on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/alfie-chang-joins-bristol-rovers-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=1 September 2025}} On 6 September, he made his debut in a 3–2 victory over [Newport County](/source/Newport_County_A.F.C.), assisting the third goal to cap off an impressive performance. {{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-verdict-another-milestone-10481105|title=Bristol Rovers verdict: Another milestone, midfield maestros and more to come after Newport win|publisher=Bristol Post|last=Hargraves|first=Daniel|date=6 September 2025|accessdate=7 September 2025}}. On 6 January 2026, Chang’s loan was terminated. {{cite web|url= https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/alfie-chang-returns-from-bristol-rovers-loan-spell|title=Alfie Chang returns from Bristol Rovers loan spell|publisher=Birmingham City FC|accessdate=6 January 2026}} ===Walsall=== On 30 January 2026, Chang had his Birmingham City contract terminated by mutual consent, returning to Walsall on a permanent deal until the end of the season. {{cite web|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2026/january/30/alfie-chang-returns-to-ws1-on-permanent-deal-from-birmingham-city/|title=Alfie Chang returns to WS1 on permanent deal from Birmingham City|website=www.saddlers.co.uk|date=30 January 2026|accessdate=30 January 2026}} ==Career statistics== {{updated|30 January 2026}} {| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|[FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) !colspan="2"|[EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="6"|[Birmingham City](/source/Birmingham_City_F.C.) |[2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Birmingham_City_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|143942|2021|access-date=8 May 2022}} |[Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) |0||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |[2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Birmingham_City_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|143942|2022|access-date=8 May 2023}} |Championship |13||0||3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||17||0 |- |[2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Birmingham_City_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|143942|2023|access-date=8 May 2024}} |Championship |0||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |[2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_Birmingham_City_F.C._season) |[League One](/source/EFL_League_One) |0||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |- |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_Birmingham_City_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|143942|2025|access-date=16 August 2025}} |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !13||0||5||0||3||0||0||0||21||0 |- |[Walsall](/source/Walsall_F.C.) (loan) |[2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_Walsall_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|143942|2024|access-date=17 May 2025}} |[League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) |5||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in [EFL League Two play-offs](/source/EFL_League_Two_play-offs)}}||1||8||1 |- |[Bristol Rovers](/source/Bristol_Rovers_F.C.) (loan) |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_Bristol_Rovers_F.C._season) |League Two |16||0||1||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)}}||0||19||0 |- |Walsall |[2025–26](/source/2025%E2%80%9326_Walsall_F.C._season) |League Two |1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !35!!0!!6!!0!!3!!0!!5!!1!!49!!1 |} {{notelist}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Walsall F.C. squad}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Chang, Alfie}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:English men's footballers Category:Footballers from Worcestershire Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Birmingham City F.C. players Category:Walsall F.C. players Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alfie Chang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Chang) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfie_Chang?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.