Araya Dennis
Dennis with Tottenham Hotspur in 2024
Personal information
Full name Araya Marilyn Roxanne Dennis[1]
Date of birth (2006-01-11) 11 January 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth London, England
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
Tottenham Hotspur
Number 30
Youth career
Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Arsenal 0 (0)
2023Watford (dual reg) 0 (0)
2023–2024Crystal Palace (dual reg) 20 (2)
2024– Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
International career
2022–2023 England U17 10 (0)
2023– England U19 8 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 July 2024[2]

Araya Marilyn Roxanne Dennis (born 11 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Tottenham Hotspur and the England under-19s.

Club career

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During the 2022–23 season, Dennis trained with the Arsenal first team prior to a two month spell with Watford under a dual registration agreement.[3]

On 2 September 2023, she joined Crystal Palace on dual registration for the 2023–24 season,[3] and scored on her debut with the club the next day in a 2–1 win against Birmingham City.[4]

In October 2023, Dennis was awarded the Women's Championship Goal of the Month for her long-range effort against Charlton Atheltic.[5]

In February 2024, she signed a two-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur before spending the remainder of the 2023–24 season with Crystal Palace.[6]

On 2 October 2024, Dennis made her senior debut for Tottenham in the opening group stage match of the 2024–25 League Cup against Charlton Athletic, coming on as a 67 minute substitute.[7]

International career

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Dennis was part of the England under-17 team that played in the 2023 UEFA U17 Championship up until the semi-finals, where the youth team were defeated 3–1 by Spain.[6][8]

In July 2024, she featured in the 2024 UEFA Under-19 Championship for the England under-19s, providing an assist for the final goal against Lithuania as a 70th minute substitute.[9][10]

On 20 September 2023, Dennis scored her youth international debut goals for the under-19s, with a brace in a friendly fixture against Denmark resulting in a 5–0 victory.[11]

Playing Style

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Dennis is a winger who contributes across the pitch. At the age of 17 she was described by Imeptus Football as a young talent who "displays an intelligence of the game way beyond her young age"; with the ability to easily escape tight spaces, draw opposition, and run channels.[12]

Crystal Palace described Dennis as a fast-paced and "attack-minded right-sided player".[3] For England at youth level, she has covered at left-back from the right-wing position.[13]

Honours

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External video
  Women's Championship October 2023 Goal of the Month, from Women's Championship via X, 6 November 2023

Crystal Palace

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Araya Dennis at Soccerway
  2. ^ Araya Dennis at Flashscore.com
  3. ^ a b c "Araya Dennis joins Crystal Palace Women on dual-registration terms". Crystal Palace F.C. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Arsenal women academy prospect scores in Crystal Palace debut!". OneFootball. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Dennis wins Championship Goal of the Month for Charlton thunderbolt". Crystal Palace F.C. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Dennis joins the Club". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Dennis on her debut: "It was a proud moment and a great experience"". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Spain-England | Women's Under-17 2023". UEFA. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  9. ^ Frith, Wilf (14 July 2024). "England Women's U-19s net ten against Lithuania". She Kicks. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Dennis features in winning start for England in the Women's Under-19 Euros". Tottenham Hotspur. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  11. ^ Frith, Wilf (20 September 2023). "England Women U-19s beat Denmark 5-0 aided by Araya Dennis's double". She Kicks. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  12. ^ McCowen, Beth; Simons, Liberty (29 December 2023). "A look at the prospects for Araya Dennis". Imeptus Football. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  13. ^ Jamet, Sylvain (15 May 2023). "Arsenal youngster scores 2 as England beat Poland in u17 Euro opener". Daily Cannon. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Araya Dennis: "I'm looking forward to growing as a player"". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Dennis wins Championship Goal of the Month for Charlton thunderbolt". Crystal Palace F.C. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
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