Jason Denayer

Early life and career

Born in Jette, Brussels, Belgium, to a Congolese mother and Belgian father, Denayer started playing football at age six, where he started out at FC Ganshoren and then Anderlecht. At the age of 13, he joined the JMG Academy in Lier. It was there he was converted from playing as a striker to becoming a defender. Denayer credits his time at JMG for honing his football technique. Youths at the academy do not play normal competition football, instead taking part in small-sided games among each other, focusing on technique and education in a private school. They trained in bare feet to improve their touch; "It helps to develop your technical skills. Once you've reached a certain level, you're allowed to put on shoes. From then on the training is focused on technique and playing in small spaces" explained Denayer. He described the regime as "tough", adding "Your day started at 7am and ended at 10:30pm. In between you had 90 minutes – just before bedtime – to call your friends or family. It was playing football, studying, eat, sleep".

In 2013, Lierse, who are in partnership with the JMG Academy, attempted to sign Denayer. However, he rejected their offer and instead moved abroad to England to try and find a club. He had a trial at Liverpool, but club and player failed to reach an agreement. He then went for a trial at Manchester City.

Manchester City

In July 2013 Denayer joined the Manchester City academy. In the summer transfer window, Denayer signed his first professional contract at Manchester City after a successful trial. Denayer was ever present for the club's campaign in the UEFA Youth League, where he made eight appearances, scoring once in a 6–0 win over Bayern Munich. Denayer also played a huge role in domestic competitions where he helped the club finish fourth in the Professional U21 Development League, as well as reaching the final of the U21 Premier League Cup.

In pre-season during July 2014, Denayer was included in the first team and started in a 2–0 friendly loss away against Dundee.

On 10 July 2015, it was confirmed that he would be in the club's squad for their pre-season tour in Australia. Denayer signed a new five-year deal on 13 July 2015.

Loan to Celtic

On 12 August 2014, Celtic signed Denayer on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Denayer revealed that Vincent Kompany and Patrick Vieira played a vital role for him in joining Celtic. He was one of Ronny Deila's first major signings as manager of Celtic.

He scored on his debut and was named man of the match in a 6–1 victory at home to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership. Four days later, on 20 August 2014, Denayer made his Champions League debut, in a 1–1 draw against Maribor, where he was part of the starting line-up. His second goal came in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen on 13 September 2014. The defender scored again for Celtic on 18 October 2014, in a 5–0 win over Ross County. By the end of December, Denayer had made 17 appearances for Celtic and formed a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Denayer commented about playing alongside Van Dijk: "We play well together and he is a very good player", adding "I am also learning from him as well. He has more experience than me and he knows what to say to me. I listen to him because I know he can help make me a better player."

Just months after arriving at Celtic, reports claimed that Celtic were keen to extend Denayer's loan spell by another year. However, Denayer immediately ruled out joining Celtic on a permanent basis, insisting that he hoped to earn a first team place at Manchester City in the near future. Manchester City kept an eye on Denayer's progress at Celtic, with Development Side coach Patrick Vieira stating "When I watch Jason playing for Celtic, or Marcos Lopes playing at Lille, it makes us really proud. The way they are performing lets [sic] me know we are doing things the right stuff [sic]", and adding "The object is to provide players for the first team, but we know the gap is massive from under-21 to the first team – but this is one way we can get them there."

Denayer won his first major trophy on 15 March 2015 when he played in Celtic's 2–0 win over Dundee United in the League Cup Final at Hampden Park. He was described as being "strong in the tackle" and "comfortable with the ball". Denayer himself stated that "It is the first cup final and first win of my career, so it was a very special day for me." He also praised Celtic manager Ronny Deila: "He has been a very good coach for me", adding "I think I have improved and got better at Celtic. He [Deila] has trusted me to play and I have learned so much from that."

On 2 May, Celtic were confirmed as Premiership champions when Dundee United defeated nearest competitors Aberdeen. The next day, Denayer was voted the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, with his teammate Stefan Johansen taking the overall prize. After winning the prize, he said when asked if he would remain at Celtic: "I don't know. I need to wait until summer and see what is going to happen... When I came here I just wanted to play some games and take some experience, but now I win trophies and personal trophies so it has gone better than I expected".

Loan to Galatasaray

In August 2015, Galatasaray signed Denayer on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Denayer played his first game for Galatasaray on 15 September 2015, in a UEFA Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid. Despite a 2–0 defeat, the Belgium defender turned in an impressive performance. He then made his league debut on 19 September in match away against Trabzonspor, playing on the right side of defence, helping his new side keep a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory. Denayer continued to display his natural attributes of pace and power, whilst also improving his reading of the game. Two assists for goals against Eskişehirspor and Gaziantepspor also highlighted his ability to contribute to the attacking side of the game.

His last match for Galatasaray was in the Turkish Cup Final against Fenerbahçe on 26 May 2016. Denayer provided the assist for the only goal of the game on 30 minutes; a flick on from Emre Colak's corner on to Lukas Podolski who headed in from close range.

Loan to Sunderland

On 31 August 2016, Denayer joined Premier League side Sunderland on a season-long loan deal. However, Sunderland were poor and ended up being relegated. Denayer struggled to perform consistently and was often fielded in midfield instead of his natural position as a defender. He was also hindered by a series of niggling injuries towards the end of the season.

Second loan to Galatasaray

On 31 August 2017, Denayer re-signed for Galatasaray on a season-long loan deal.

International career

From 2013 on, Denayer represented Belgium at different levels, such as Belgium U19 and Belgium U21.

On 2 October 2014, national team manager Marc Wilmots called him for the first time to the Belgian national team for their Euro 2016 qualification match against Andorra. Denayer was included in further international squads for Euro qualifier matches against Bosnia and Wales and for a friendly against Iceland. However, he was an unused substitute in each of these four games.

Denayer made his senior international debut for Belgium on 31 March 2015 in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. He replaced Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke in the 67th minute of a 1–0 win which put Belgium at the top of the group. Denayer made his first start for the senior side on 7 June 2015, in a friendly match against France in Paris which Belgium won 4–3. Manager Marc Wilmots praised Denayer for his performance, comparing his calm confident manner to that of international team-mate Eden Hazard. Wilmots substituted Denayer late on in the match for a minor knock sustained, and pointed out that it was after this that France scored twice to pull the game back to 4–3.

He was named in Belgium's 23-man squad for the 2016 European Championships. Denayer only played once, coming in to an injury depleted Belgian defence for their quarter-final tie against Wales. Belgium, and Denayer in particular, were run ragged by Wales and lost 3–1. He has not played for Belgium since.

Club

Individual

Career statistics