Luke Ayling

Luke David Weller-Ayling (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for and captains EFL Championship club Middlesbrough. Usually a right-back, he can also play as a centre-back. Ayling began his career at Arsenal joining the club at the age of 8. He was part of Arsenal youth team's double-winning team of the 2008–09 season, before signing his first professional contract in July 2009. Ayling was loaned out to Yeovil Town in March 2010 and played four matches. At the end of the season he agreed a permanent deal with Yeovil. After four seasons with Yeovil, Ayling signed for Bristol City where he played until 2016 when he signed a deal with Leeds United, where he was a mainstay as Leeds won the 2019–20 EFL Championship, under manager Marcelo Bielsa. He signed for Middlesbrough on loan in January 2024, and later joined the side permanently in May 2024.