Dion Dannie Leonard Sanderson (born 15 December 1999) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Birmingham City. He began his career as a youngster with Wolverhampton Wanderers and later spent time on loan at Cardiff City, Sunderland, Birmingham City (two spells) and Queens Park Rangers, before leaving for Birmingham City in 2023.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Dion Dannie Leonard Sanderson[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 15 December 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Wednesfield, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Birmingham City | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2019 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2023 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Cardiff City (loan) | 10 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Sunderland (loan) | 26 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | → Birmingham City (loan) | 15 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Birmingham City (loan) | 31 | (2) |
| 2023– | Birmingham City | 39 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:18, 10 November 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
editWolverhampton Wanderers and loan spells
editSanderson joined Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy as an eight-year-old, signed his first professional contract in 2018, and a year later signed a two-year contract with a 12-month option.[3] He was a member of the senior squad for their pre-season tour of China, where he played in the club's Premier League Asia Trophy Final victory over Manchester City.[4] He made his competitive debut on 30 October 2019 in an EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa.[5]
Sanderson joined EFL Championship club Cardiff City on 31 January 2020 on loan to the end of the season.[6]
Sunderland (loan)
editAfter Sanderson's contract with Wolves was extended until 2022,[7] he joined League One club Sunderland in October 2020 on a season-long loan.[8] He scored his first goal for Sunderland, and his first professional goal, in a 2–0 win against Rochdale on 6 March 2021.[9] He was cup-tied for Sunderland's victory in the 2021 EFL Trophy Final.[10]
Near the end of April, Sanderson was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a back injury, so missed out on Sunderland's unsuccessful play-off campaign.[11][12] He was voted as Sunderland's Supporters' Young Player of the Year.[13]
Birmingham City (loan)
editSanderson signed a new four-year deal with Wolves before joining Championship club Birmingham City on 19 July 2021 on a season-long loan.[14] He made his first-team debut for Birmingham in the EFL Cup second-round match at home to Fulham. Starting in a three-man defence alongside the experienced George Friend and fellow debutant Mitch Roberts, he played for 73 minutes before being replaced by another newcomer, Alfie Chang.[15] He made his first league appearance on 18 September in a 3–0 defeat away to Peterborough United, replacing the injured Marc Roberts at half-time with the score 2–0,[16] and established himself as a regular member of the starting eleven.[17] However, on 4 January 2022, with several Wolves defenders injured or away on international duty, Sanderson was recalled on 4 January 2022.[18]
Queens Park Rangers (loan)
editSanderson joined another Championship club, Queens Park Rangers, on 25 January 2022 on loan for the remainder of the season.[19] He made 12 appearances, all but one in league competition.[20]
Birmingham City (second loan)
editSanderson rejoined Championship club Birmingham City on 5 July 2022 on a season-long loan.[21] As he did during his previous loan, he started regularly, and was described in the Birmingham Mail's mid-season assessment as "a classy presence on the right side of the back three", more athletic but less physically dominant than Marc Roberts or Harlee Dean when played centrally.[22] By February 2023, he was struggling both with a back injury and the need to avoid a tenth yellow card and resultant two-match ban. He remained on nine cards, but after 33 starts and one goal, he returned to Wolves for treatment to his back.[23][24] Despite being initially ruled out for the season, he was able to start and score a late volleyed goal in Birmingham's final fixture, a 2–1 defeat at home to already promoted Sheffield United.[25]
Birmingham City
editAfter lengthy negotiations, Sanderson joined Birmingham City on a four-year contract on 15 July 2023; the fee was undisclosed.[26] He was appointed captain.[27]
Personal life
editHe is a nephew of the 1984 Olympic javelin gold medallist Tessa Sanderson.[28]
In April 2024, Sanderson was charged with drink-driving.[29]
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 9 November 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2019–20[30] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020–21[31] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22[20] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23[32] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 | 2019–20[30] | — | — | — | 3[a] | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2020–21[31] | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| Cardiff City (loan) | 2019–20[30] | Championship | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | |
| Sunderland (loan) | 2020–21[31] | League One | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Birmingham City (loan) | 2021–22[20] | Championship | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |
| Queens Park Rangers (loan) | 2021–22[20] | Championship | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| Birmingham City (loan) | 2022–23[32] | Championship | 31 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 34 | 2 | |
| Birmingham City | 2023–24[33] | Championship | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 40 | 1 | |
| 2024–25[34] | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Total | 71 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 79 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 132 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 149 | 4 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
References
edit- ^ "2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Dion Sanderson". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Sanderson signs contract extension". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 18 June 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Asia Trophy: Wolves beat Man City in bizarre penalty shootout". BBC Sport. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Steve (30 October 2019). "Aston Villa 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Cardiff City sign Albert Adomah and Dion Sanderson in loan deals". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Dion Sanderson: Sunderland sign Wolves defender on loan". BBC Sport. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Wilson, Scott (16 October 2020). "Sanderson joins on a deadline-day loan deal". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Hunter, James (6 March 2021). "Sunderland 2-0 Rochdale player ratings as Wyke and Sanderson earn important win". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Donnelly, Mark (14 March 2021). "The brilliant story of the day as Sunderland finally win at Wembley – as Lynden Gooch's strike downs Tranmere Rovers". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Hunter, James (27 April 2021). "'Big blow' for Sunderland as Dion Sanderson is ruled out of the run-in and any play-off games". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Sunderland 2–1 Lincoln City (2–3 agg.)". BBC Sport. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Jamieson, Stuart (11 May 2021). "Dion Sanderson's message to 'class' Sunderland fans after landing award". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "New contract and loan move for Sanderson". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "EFL Cup: Birmingham City 0–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ Townley, John (18 September 2021). "Gardner red, Roberts injury – every word from Lee Bowyer on Blues' unexpected Peterborough defeat". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Reis, Bruna (10 November 2021). "Wolves could deal Birmingham City January transfer blow". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Dicken, Alex (4 January 2022). "Wolves have a new plan for Dion Sanderson after Birmingham City loan is cancelled". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Dion Sanderson: Queens Park Rangers sign Wolves defender on loan until the end of the season". BBC Sport. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Dion Sanderson is back at Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ Dick, Brian (16 November 2022). "Birmingham City midseason player ratings as Hogan shines and Man Utd teen plays with 'hair on fire'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Dick, Brian (13 February 2023). "Explained: What EFL yellow card rules mean for Birmingham City and Dion Sanderson". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Dick, Brian (23 February 2023). "John Eustace sends Wolves transfer message as Birmingham City loanee ruled out for the season". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Dicken, Alex (8 May 2023). "Birmingham City player ratings vs Sheffield United after Tom Wagner watches final day defeat". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Chapman, Joseph (15 July 2023). "Birmingham City complete seventh summer transfer as defender confirms he's 'home'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ "Dion Sanderson named Blues men's captain". Birmingham City F.C. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Swarbrick, Rosie (4 November 2019). "Olympian Tessa Sanderson so proud to see nephew Dion Sanderson flying the family flag with Wolves". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Dicken, Alex (22 April 2019). "Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson to appear in court on drink-driving charge". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Dion Sanderson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
External links
edit- Profile at the Birmingham City F.C. website
- Dion Sanderson – UEFA competition record (archive)
