{{Short description|English footballer (born 2006)}} {{about|the English Footballer|the character from the American sitcom Drake & Josh|Josh Nichols (Drake & Josh)}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Josh Nichols |fullname = Joshua Joel Ayobami Nichols |birth_place = Newham, England |height = 1.65m<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/499167/josh-nichols/overview|title=Josh Nichols Arsenal U21 Defender, Profile & Stats | Premier League|website=www.premierleague.com}}</ref> |image = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2006|07|26|df=y}} |position = Right Back |currentclub = Arsenal |clubnumber = 48 |youthyears1 = 2014–2024 |youthclubs1 = Arsenal |years1 = 2024– |clubs1 = Arsenal |caps1 = 0 |goals1 = 0 |years2 = |clubs2 = |caps2 = |goals2 = |nationalyears1 = |nationalteam1 = |nationalcaps1 = |nationalgoals1 = |club-update = 9:31 (UTC) 24 July 2025 |ntupdate = }} '''Joshua Joel Ayobami Nichols''' (born 26 July 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Josh Nichols|accessdate=25 September 2024|website=Soccerway|url= https://uk.soccerway.com/players/joshua-nichols/723736/}}</ref>
==Career== A right-back, he had trials at Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham before joining Arsenal aged eight.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/five-arsenal-fc-nwaneri-lewis-skelly-heaven-porter-nichols-carabao-cup-bolton-b1183863.html|website=Evening Standard|accessdate=25 September 2024|date=25 September 2024|title= Five Arsenal youngsters in line to shine in Carabao Cup as injury problems mount for Bolton clash|first=Simon|last=Colings}}</ref> He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in July 2024.<ref>{{cite web|website=Tribal Football|accessdate=25 September 2024|url=https://www.tribalfootball.com/article/soccer-premier-league-nichols-proud-of-arsenal-pro-deal-82b103cf-2bb6-4fb3-aae1-4b8e878352d3#:~:text=Josh%20Nichols%20says%20he's%20delighted,It's%20a%20dream%20come%20true.|title= NICHOLS PROUD OF ARSENAL PRO DEAL|first=Zack|last=Oaten|date=15 July 2024}}</ref> That summer, he played with the Arsenal first team on their pre-season tour, impressing in a friendly against Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.givemesport.com/who-is-josh-nichols-arsenal-youngster-pre-season-premier-league/|website=Give Me Sport|accessdate=25 September 2024|title= Who is Josh Nichols - The Arsenal Youngster Impressing During Pre-Season|first=Daniel|last=Hepburn|date=Jul 28, 2024}}</ref>
He made his professional debut on 25 September 2024, starting in a 5–1 EFL Cup win against Bolton Wanderers.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.arsenal.com/news/team-news-rotation-bolton-cup-clash|website=Arsenal.com|accessdate=25 September 2024|date=25 September 2024|title= Team news: Rotation for Bolton cup clash|first=Stephen|last=Wright}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nichols was born in the London Borough of Newham and supported Arsenal as a child. He later lived in Essex.<ref>{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Davies|date=25 September 2024|title= Who is Arsenal ace Josh Nichols? Neymar influence, West Ham rejection, Gunners hero mentor|url= https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/who-is-josh-nichols-arsenal-30007722.amp|website=Football.London|accessdate=25 September 2024}}</ref> Although born in England, he is reportedly eligible to play internationally for Nigeria through his mother and Jamaica and Guyana through his father.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://punchng.com/nichols-makes-nigerian-mum-proud-with-sterling-arsenal-debut/?amp|newspaper=The Punch|accessdate=25 September 2024|title= Nichols makes Nigerian mum proud with sterling Arsenal debut|date=26 July 2024}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nichols, Joshua}} Category:2006 births Category:Living people Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Arsenal F.C. players Category:English people of Nigerian descent Category:English people of Jamaican descent Category:English people of Guyanese descent Category:21st-century English sportsmen
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