{{short description|English footballer (born 1999)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Use British English|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Tyler French | image = Tyler French July 2019 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = French in July 2019 with Bradford City. | fullname = Tyler Jay French<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Bradford City |publisher=English Football League |page=8 |accessdate=18 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|02|12|df=y}}<ref name="Soccerway"/> | birth_place = Bury St Edmunds, England | height = 1.83m<ref name="Soccerway"/> | position = Central defender | currentclub = Solihull Moors | clubnumber = 26 | youthyears1 = 2014–2015 | youthclubs1 = Long Melford | youthyears2 = 2015 | youthclubs2 = Hadleigh United | youthyears3 = 2015–2016 | youthclubs3 = A.F.C. Sudbury | years1 = 2016–2019 | clubs1 = A.F.C. Sudbury | caps1 = 96 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2019–2021 | clubs2 = Bradford City | caps2 = 16 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2020 | clubs3 = → AFC Fylde (loan) | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2021–2022 | clubs4 = Wrexham | caps4 = 38 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2022–2024 | clubs5 = Dundee | caps5 = 18 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2023–2024 | clubs6 = → Greenock Morton (loan) | caps6 = 32 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2024–2025 | clubs7 = Sutton United | caps7 = 41 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2025– | clubs8 = Solihull Moors | caps8 = 36 | goals8 = 2 | club-update = 19:27, 18 May 2026 (UTC) }} '''Tyler Jay French''' (born 12 February 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Solihull Moors. He has played in English football for AFC Sudbury, Bradford City, AFC Fylde (on loan) and Welsh side Wrexham, and in Scottish football for Dundee and Greenock Morton (on loan).
==Early and personal life== Born in Bury St Edmunds, French attended Ormiston Sudbury Academy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bacon|first=Mike|title='It's a dream come true' says AFC Sudbury's Tyler French as he joins Bradford City|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/bradford-move-a-dream-come-true-for-sudbury-s-tyler-french-1-6073979|access-date=21 July 2020|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=29 May 2019}}</ref> He grew up supporting Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17772215.bradford-city-defender-french-relishes-quot-surreal-quot-occasion/|title=Bradford City: Defender French relishes "surreal" occasion|date=16 July 2019|accessdate=16 July 2019|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}</ref>
==Career== French spent his early career in non-league football with Long Melford, Hadleigh United and A.F.C. Sudbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/tyler-french|title=Profile|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=Aylesbury United F.C.}}</ref> He combined his non-league playing career with a part-time job building conservatory bases.<ref name = "uptospeed"/> In early 2019 he trialled with Football League clubs Barnsley and Charlton Athletic, and was transfer listed by Sudbury in an attempt to move up the league system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/26190/charlton-take-a-look-at-tyler-french/|title=Charlton Athletic take a look at Tyler French|date=14 March 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=The Non-League Football Paper}}</ref> He also had trials at Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17727335.bradford-city-french-bounced-back-from-rejection/|title=Bradford City: French bounced back from rejection|date=25 June 2019|accessdate=25 June 2019|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}</ref>
Following a successful trial period, he signed a two-year professional contract with League Two club Bradford City in May 2019.<ref name = "BCAFC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/bantams-complete-french-signing/|title=BANTAMS COMPLETE FRENCH SIGNING|date=29 May 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=Bradford City A.F.C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48443612|title=Tyler French: Bradford City sign AFC Sudbury defender|date=29 May 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17670271.bradford-city-centre-half-french-is-second-summer-signing/|title=Bradford City: Centre-half French is second summer signing|date=29 May 2019|accessdate=29 May 2019|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}</ref> French said that he would be spending the summer before the start of the 2019–20 season training, stating that "I won't have much time off because I want to get myself in the best shape possible for pre-season [...] I've got an off-season [training] programme to help me but I'm quite naturally fit, so hopefully I'll be all right".<ref name = "uptospeed">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17681900.bradford-city-french-gets-up-to-speed-for-pre-season/|title=Bradford City: French gets up to speed for pre-season|date=4 June 2019|accessdate=4 June 2019|author=Simon Parker|publisher=Telegraph & Argus}}</ref> He scored his first goal for Bradford when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Rochdale on 12 November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city/bradford-city-1-rochdale-2-record-low-at-valley-parade-as-bantams-exit-efl-trophy-1-10100802 |title=Bradford City 1 Rochdale 2: Record low at Valley Parade as Bantams exit EFL Trophy |date=13 November 2019 |website=yorkshirepost.co.uk |accessdate=13 November 2019}}</ref>
In February 2020 he moved on loan to AFC Fylde.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18252308.bantams-defender-tyler-french-joins-fylde-loan/|title=Bantams defender joins Fylde on loan|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> He credited his time at Fyle for helping him getting used to a higher level of football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18712901.yeates-helps-bradford-city-defender-french-progress-loan/|title=Defender French learns from Fylde loan spell - with help from former Bantam star|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>
French was praised by club captain Richard O'Donnell after an impressive performance in the opening day of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18701635.odonnell-praises-young-duo-bantams-carabao-cup-win/|title=Bantams young guns earn shot as Liverpool beckon in cup|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref> On 31 January 2021 it was announced that he had left the club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19053186.defender-french-leaves-bradford-city-mutual-consent/|title=UPDATED: French and Mottley-Henry leave Valley Parade|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}</ref>
On 1 February 2021, he signed for Wrexham.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/19055658.high-profile-takeover-wrexham-pulling-power-french/|title=High profile takeover at Wrexham had pulling power for French |website=The Leader}}</ref> He was sent off on his debut for the club a day later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55140431|title=Eastleigh 1-1 Wrexham|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 5 July 2022, French joined Scottish Championship side Dundee for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2022 |title=Tyler signs |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/tyler-signs/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}</ref> He made his competitive debut for Dundee in an away Scottish League Cup win over Stranraer, starting the match.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stranraer v Dundee |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62124305 |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> The following week, French scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win over Forfar Athletic.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dundee v Forfar Athletic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62210575 |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref> On 21 January 2023, French suffered a serious injury to his right leg during a Scottish Cup match against St Mirren, which would leave him out of action for the rest of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |title=Dundee star Tyler French in 'I'll be back stronger' vow from hospital after injury at St Mirren |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4078099/dundee-tyler-french-back-stronger-vow-injury/ |access-date=21 January 2023 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref> Despite his injury, French would win the Scottish Championship with Dundee at the end of the season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420805 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
French would make his competitive return in August 2023 with Dundee's B team in a Scottish Challenge Cup fixture against East Fife.<ref>{{Cite web |last=petermceleny |date=15 August 2023 |title=Dundee B 0 - 0 East Fife |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/dundee-b-0-0-east-fife/ |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 12 September 2023, French signed for Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton on a season-long loan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2023 |title=Tyler French joins on loan - Greenock Morton FC |url=https://gmfc.net/tyler-french-joins-on-loan/,%20https://gmfc.net/tyler-french-joins-on-loan/ |access-date=12 September 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> He made his debut in a draw away to Dundee United.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dundee Utd knocked off top after draw with Morton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66760687 |access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref> The following week, French again suffered an injury to his right leg and was stretchered off against Dunfermline Athletic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cairns |first=Craig |date=23 September 2023 |title=Dougie Imrie gives update after Dundee loanee Tyler French is stretchered off for Morton |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4752827/dougie-imrie-gives-update-after-dundee-loanee-tyler-french-is-stretchered-off-for-morton/ |access-date=24 September 2023 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}</ref> Fortunately, it was not a serious injury and French started for the ''Ton'' the following week.<ref>{{Cite news |title=McGregor goal gives Airdrie win over Morton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66899420 |access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref> On 20 May 2024, Dundee confirmed that French would depart at the expiry of his contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Squad Update 2024 |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/squad-update-2024/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 12 June 2024, French joined National League club Sutton United on a permanent contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome Tyler French |url=https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2024/june/welcome-tyler-french/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=www.suttonunited.net |language=en-gb}}</ref> French made his debut on 10 August in the league opener against Tamworth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamworth 1-1 Sutton United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c703w3x56d1t |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 12 June 2025, he joined fellow National League side Solihull Moors.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news/posts/solihull-moors-sign-tyler-french/|title=Solihull Moors Sign Tyler French|website=www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk|date=12 June 2025|accessdate=13 June 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|18 April 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|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=5|A.F.C. Sudbury |2015–16<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.co.uk/teams/104274/player/tyler-french-1491662/32196|title=2015/16 season|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury}}</ref> |Isthmian League Division One North |4||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||4||0 |- |2016–17<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.co.uk/teams/104274/player/tyler-french-1491662/39672|title=2016/17 season|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury}}</ref> |Isthmian League Premier Division |24||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||6||0||30||0 |- |2017–18<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.co.uk/teams/104274/player/tyler-french-1491662/44724|title=2017/18 season|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury}}</ref> |Isthmian League North Division |40||0||5||0||colspan=2|—||5||0||50||0 |- |2018–19<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.co.uk/teams/104274/player/tyler-french-1491662/51244|title=2018/19 season|accessdate=29 May 2019|publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury}}</ref> |Isthmian League North Division |28||1||5||0||colspan=2|—||3||0||36||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !96!!1!!10!!0!!0!!0!!14!!0!!120!!1 |- |rowspan=3|Bradford City |2019–20<ref name = "2019-20">{{soccerbase season|121855|2019|accessdate=3 September 2019}}</ref> |League Two |2||0||0||0||1||0||3{{Efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.}}||1||6||1 |- |2020–21<ref>{{soccerbase season|121855|2020|accessdate=5 September 2020}}</ref> |League Two |14||0||1||0||2||0||2{{Efn|name=FLT}}||0||19||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !16!!0!!1!!0!!3!!0!!5!!1!!25!!1 |- |AFC Fylde (loan) |2019–20<ref name="Soccerway">{{Soccerway | id=470370 | name=Tyler French | accessdate=13 February 2020 }}</ref> |National League |5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||5||0 |- |rowspan=3|Wrexham |2020–21<ref name = "Soccerway"/> |National League |17||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||17||0 |- |2021–22<ref>{{soccerbase season|121855|2021|accessdate=5 July 2022}}</ref> |National League |21||0||1||0||0||0||2{{Efn|Appearances in the Football League Trophy and the National League play-offs}}||0||24||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !38!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0!!41!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|Dundee |2022–23<ref>{{soccerbase season|121855|2022|accessdate=5 July 2022}}</ref> |Scottish Championship |18||1||1||0||5||1||1{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in the Scottish Challenge Cup}}||0||25||2 |- |2023–24<ref name=":1">{{soccerbase season|121855|2023|accessdate=18 July 2023}}</ref> |Scottish Premiership |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !18!!1!!1!!0!!5!!1!!1!!0!!25!!2 |- |Dundee B |2023–24<ref name=":1" /> |colspan="3"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2 |—||1{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance(s) in the Scottish Challenge Cup}}||0||1||0 |- |Greenock Morton (loan) |2023–24<ref name=":1" /> |Scottish Championship |32||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||34||0 |- |Sutton United |2024–25 |National League |41||0||2||0||0||0||1{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy|name=FAT}}||0||44||0 |- |Solihull Moors |2025–26 |National League |36||2||0||0||0||0||0||0||36||2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !282!!4!!17!!0!!8!!1!!24!!1!!331!!6 |} {{notelist}}
== Honours == '''Dundee''' * Scottish Championship: 2022–23<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Solihull Moors F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:French, Tyler}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Bury St Edmunds Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Long Melford F.C. players Category:Hadleigh United F.C. players Category:A.F.C. Sudbury players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:AFC Fylde players Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players Category:Dundee F.C. players Category:Greenock Morton F.C. players Category:Sutton United F.C. players Category:Solihull Moors F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Isthmian League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen