{{short description|English footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Jayden Onen | image = | caption = | full_name = Jayden Roy Onen<ref name="WorldFootball" /> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|2001|2|17}} | birth_place = Edmonton, England | height = 1.81 m<ref name="WorldFootball">{{WorldFootball.net|jayden-onen}}</ref> | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2017 | youthclubs1 = Arsenal | youthyears2 = 2017 | youthclubs2 = Crystal Palace | youthyears3 = 2017–2018 | youthclubs3 = Brighton & Hove Albion | youthyears4 = 2018–2020 | youthclubs4 = Brentford | years1 = 2019–2020 | clubs1 = Brentford | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2019 | clubs2 = → Bromley (loan) | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2020–2021 | clubs3 = Reading | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2021–2022 | clubs4 = Sheffield Wednesday | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2023 | clubs5 = Forward Madison | caps5 = 26 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2024 | clubs6 = Lexington SC | caps6 = 8 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2025 | clubs7 = FC Naples | caps7 = 24 | goals7 = 6 | club-update = 14:26, 18 January 2026 (UTC) }}
'''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,<ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway|id=453129|accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref> before joining Crystal Palace on a scholarship deal in 2017.<ref name="FullName">{{Cite web |title=Squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |url=http://www.premierleague.com/news/465277 |access-date=18 December 2018 |website=www.premierleague.com |language=en}}</ref> He remained at Selhurst Park until December 2017, when he joined the Brighton & Hove Albion academy as a scholar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayden Onen – Midfielder – U18 Team |url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/teams/u18-team/midfielder/jayden-onen/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217164134/https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/teams/u18-team/midfielder/jayden-onen/ |archive-date=17 December 2018 |access-date=18 December 2018 |website=Brighton & Hove Albion}}</ref> Onen made one EFL Trophy appearance for Albion's U21 team during the 2018–19 season,<ref name="Soccerbase1819" /> before his release in December 2018.<ref name="SignsBrentford">{{Cite web |title=Jayden Onen signs for Brentford B |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jayden-onen-signs-for-brentford-b_347417 |access-date=18 December 2018 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
=== English Football League === On 17 December 2018, Onen transferred to the B team at Championship club Brentford and signed an 18-month contract.<ref name="SignsBrentford" /> He made 30 appearances and scored three goals for the B team prior to his release at the end of the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nine players depart Brentford FC |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/july/nine-players-released-by-brentford-fc/ |access-date=6 July 2020 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> A one-month loan at National League club Bromley in late 2019 yielded just one injury time substitute appearance.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayden Onen joins Bromley on one-month youth loan deal |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2019/november/jayden-onen-joins-bromley-on-one-month-youth-loan-deal/ |access-date=23 November 2019 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaden Brissett and Jayden Onen back with Brentford B following loan stints |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2019/december/jaden-brissett-and-jayden-onen-back-with-brentford-b-following-loan-stints/ |access-date=24 December 2019 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
On 6 November 2020, after a successful trial period,<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2020 |title=Uganda Cranes midfielder signs contract with English club |url=https://www.swiftsportsug.com/blog/uganda-cranes-midfielder-signs-contract-with-english-club/ |access-date=7 November 2020 |website=Swift Sports Uganda |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212140939/https://www.swiftsportsug.com/blog/uganda-cranes-midfielder-signs-contract-with-english-club/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Onen joined the U23 team at Championship club Reading on a contract running until the end of the 2020–21 season.<ref name="Lusulire">{{Cite web |last=Lusulire |first=Ronnie |date=27 September 2020 |title=Uganda Cranes starlet joins Reading FC U-23 side |url=http://www.bigwhalesports.com/uganda-cranes-starlet-joins-reading-fc-u-23-side/ |access-date=29 September 2020 |website=BigWhale sports |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=✉️ Contracts offered, clauses triggered, loans end and best wishes issued for those set for pastures new… |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/contracts-offered-clauses-triggered-loans-end-and-best-wishes-issued-for-those-set-for-pastures-new/ |access-date=12 May 2021 |website=www.readingfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jayden Onen signs for Wednesday |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/jayden-onen-signs-for-wednesday/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C.}}</ref><ref name="LeavesSheffW" /> He failed to win a call into a first team matchday squad and was released when his contract expired.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref name="LeavesSheffW">{{Cite web |title=Owls confirm Under-23 departures |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/owls-confirm-23s-departures/ |access-date=16 March 2022 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C.}}</ref>
=== USL League One === On 17 January 2023, Onen signed a one-year contract with USL League One club Forward Madison.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warwick |first=Evan |date=17 January 2023 |title=Forward Madison FC Signs Versatile Attacker Jayden Onen |url=https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2023/01/17/forward-madison-signs-versatile-attacker-jayden-onen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117180438/https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2023/01/17/forward-madison-signs-versatile-attacker-jayden-onen/ |archive-date=17 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 |publisher=Forward Madison FC}}</ref> He made 27 appearances and scored four goals during a 2023 season which concluded with a playoff quarter-final defeat.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forward Madison FC Finish 2023 Season In Colorado |url=https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2023/10/21/forward-madison-fc-finish-2023-season-in-colorado/ |access-date=29 October 2023 |website=Forward Madison FC |language=en-US}}</ref> Onen's performances were recognised with a nomination for the USL League One Young Player of the Year award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jackson Khoury Named Tormenta FC Newcomer of the Year |url=https://www.tormentafc.com/news/2023/11/15/jackson-khoury-named-south-georgia-tormenta-fc-newcomer-of-the-year-for-the-2023-season/ |access-date=20 November 2023 |website=South Georgia Tormenta FC |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2024, he joined Lexington SC on a free transfer and made 14 appearances during the 2024 season.<ref name="Soccerway" /><ref name="SignsLexington">{{Cite web |title=Midfielder Jayden Onen set to join Lexington Sporting Club |url=https://www.lexsporting.com/news/midfielder-jayden-onen-set-to-join-lexington-sporting-club/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Lexington Sporting Club |language=en-US}}</ref> On 9 December 2024, Onen became FC Naples' first ever signing ahead of the club's inaugural season in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FC Naples Welcomes Jayden Onen as Inaugural Player Signing |url=https://www.fcnaples.com/news/2024/12/09/fc-naples-welcomes-jayden-onen-as-inaugural-player-signing/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=FC Naples |language=en-US}}</ref> He made 32 appearances and scored seven goals during the 2025 season,<ref name="Soccerway" /> which culminated in a playoff semi-final defeat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Knox SC will host USL League One championship after 1–0 semifinal win vs. FC Naples |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/2025/11/08/knoxville-will-host-usl-league-one-playoffs-championship-after-one-knox-sc-semifinals-win-fc-naples/87126238007/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> Onen was released at the end of the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2025 |title=Eight familiar talents to rejoin FC Naples this season |url=https://www.naplespress.com/sports/eight-familiar-talents-rejoin-fc-naples-this-season/article_ef5cba2e-61a4-46d1-a27f-4778295073c0.html |access-date=18 January 2026 |website=The Naples Press |language=en}}</ref>
== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers postponed |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/march/caf-call-up-update/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> He participated in a training camp in Dubai in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 October 2020 |title=Full Uganda Cranes Delegation for Dubai Training Camp |url=https://www.fufa.co.ug/full-uganda-cranes-delegation-for-dubai-training-camp/ |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Onen was born at North Middlesex Hospital.<ref name="Muyita">{{Cite web |last=Muyita |first=Joel |date=5 March 2020 |title=Details about the three new players summoned on Uganda Cranes team |url=https://kawowo.com/2020/03/05/details-about-the-three-new-players-summoned-on-uganda-cranes-team/ |access-date=4 December 2025 |website=Kawowo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> He is of Ugandan descent on his father's side.<ref name="Muyita" /> In March 2020, it was reported that FUFA were trying to arrange dual-citizenship with Uganda for Onen.<ref name="Muyita" />
== Career statistics == {{Updated|match played 8 November 2025}}
{| 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" |National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, U.S. Open Cup}} ! colspan="2" |League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, USL Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |Brighton & Hove Albion U21 |2018–19<ref name="Soccerbase1819">{{Soccerbase season|id=115849|season=2018|accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref> | colspan="7" |— |1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in EFL Trophy</ref>||0||1||0|0 |- |Bromley (loan) |2019–20<ref name="Soccerway" /> |National League |0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||1<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearance in FA Trophy</ref>||0||1||0 |- |Reading |2020–21<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=115849|season=2020|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> |Championship |1||0||1||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||2||0 |- |Forward Madison |2023<ref name="Soccerway" /> |USL League One |26||3||1 |1|| colspan="2" |—||0 |0||27||4 |- |Lexington SC |2024<ref name="Soccerway" /> |USL League One |8 |0 |1 |0 |5 |0 | colspan="2" |— |14 |0 |- |FC Naples |2025<ref name="Soccerway" /> |USL League One |24 |6 |3 |1 |3 |0 |2<ref group="lower-alpha">Appearances in USL League One play-offs</ref> |0 |32 |7 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !59!!9!!6!!2!!8!!0!!4!!0!!77!!11 |} <references group="lower-alpha" />
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Soccerbase|115849}} * {{Premier League player|new_id=232236|19879}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Onen, Jayden}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Enfield Category:People from Edmonton, London Category:English men's footballers Category:English people of Ugandan descent Category:Sportspeople of Ugandan descent Category:Brentford F.C. players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:English Football League players Category:USL League One players Category:Arsenal F.C. players Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:Bromley F.C. players Category:Reading F.C. players Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players Category:Forward Madison FC players Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Lexington SC players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:FC Naples players