Nico Lawrence

Nico Lawrence
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-11-22) 22 November 2003 (age 21)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Milton Keynes Dons
(on loan from Southampton)
Number 26
Youth career
Fulham
Crystal Palace
Sutton United
Kinetic Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Glebe 6 (1)
2022– Southampton 0 (0)
2023 → Torquay United (loan) 20 (0)
2023–2024 → Colchester United (loan) 4 (0)
2024– → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:25, 29 December 2024 (UTC)

Nico Lawrence (born 22 November 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League Two club Milton Keynes Dons, on loan from Premier League club Southampton.[2]

Career

Early career

Growing up, Lawrence had spells with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Sutton United.[3] He later joined London-based Kinetic Academy and combined that with playing for Southern Counties East Football League side Glebe.[4] He made six league appearances for Glebe.[5]

Southampton

In February 2022, he joined Premier League club Southampton on an 18-month contract following a successful trial.[6] In January 2023, he extended his contract with Southampton until June 2025 and joined National League side Torquay United on loan.[7] At Torquay, he won the Young Player of the Year award.[8]

He joined Colchester United on loan in June 2023.[9] On 9 August 2023, he made his professional debut as a half-time substitute in the EFL Cup match against Cardiff City.[10] During a 3–0 victory against Gillingham, Lawrence suffered ankle ligament damage and was expected to be sidelined for several months.[11][12] On 25 January 2024, he was recalled back to Southampton from loan.[13] On 18 April 2024, Lawrence signed a new two-year contract.[14]

On 2 August 2024, Lawrence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan.[15][16] He made his debut for the club on 10 August 2024 in a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford City.[17]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Glebe 2021–22 Southern Counties East 6 1 0 0 — — 6 1
Southampton 2022–23[18] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[19] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2024–25[20] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Torquay United (loan) 2022–23[18] National League 20 0 — — — 20 0
Colchester United (loan) 2023–24[19] League Two 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2024–25[20] League Two 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Career total 38 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 39 1

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Club profile: Nico Lawrence". Colchester United F.C. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  2. ^ "England - N. Lawrence - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  3. ^ "Nico Lawrence". Southampton. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Nico Lawrence signs for Southampton". kinetic-foundation.org.uk. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Glebe defender signs for Southampton". Southern Counties East Football League. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Southampton announce signing of centre-back Nico Lawrence". dailyecho.co.uk. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Nico Lawrence signs new deal and departs on loan". Southampton. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Saints defender wins young player of the year award just months into loan". Daily Echo. 16 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Southampton's Lawrence joins Colchester on loan". BBC Sport. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Cardiff City 2-2 Colchester United". BBC. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  11. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (31 August 2023). "Colchester United defender Nico Lawrence out with injury". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Nico Lawrence: Colchester United defender out for months with ankle injury". BBC Sport. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Nico Lawrence recalled from loan". Southampton FC. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Nico Lawrence signs contract extension". Southampton FC. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Lawrence heads to MK Dons on loan". Southampton FC. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Nico Lawrence: Southampton defender joins MK Dons on loan". BBC Sport. 2 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 1–2 Bradford City". BBC. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Games played by Nico Lawrence in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Games played by Nico Lawrence in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Nico Lawrence in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Loan Watch: Lawrence wins Young Player of the Season at Torquay". Southampton. 2 August 2024.