Rico Henry

Walsall

Henry joined Walsall at age 11 and progressed through the youth ranks to make his first non-competitive senior appearance for the club shortly after his 16th birthday, in a pre-season friendly versus Leeds United in July 2013. One year later, he signed his first professional contract after impressing for the club's youth team. Henry received his maiden calls into the first team squad for two League One matches in September and October 2014 respectively, before making his competitive debut with a start in a Football League Trophy northern area semi-final shootout win over Tranmere Rovers on 9 December. He made his league debut four days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 victory over Barnsley. Henry made eight further appearances during the 2014–15 season, but his progress was disrupted by a dislocated shoulder. He signed a two-year contract extension in April 2015 and was named as Walsall's Young Player of the Year.

Henry broke into the starting lineup on a full-time basis during the 2015–16 season. He had a successful season, making 44 appearances, scoring three goals, signing a new three-year contract and winning England youth international recognition. The Saddlers consistently challenged for promotion during the season and finished in 3rd position to qualify for a place in the 2016 Football League play-offs, but Henry's season ended with a 6–1 aggregate defeat to the eventually-promoted side Barnsley in the semi-finals. He was recognised for his performances during the season, winning the September 2015 Football League Young Player of the Month award, in addition to being named in the League One PFA Team of the Year and receiving a nomination for the Football League Young Player of the Year award.

Henry made three early-2016–17 season appearances, before suffering a dislocation to the same shoulder previously injured in February 2015 after half an hour of 0–0 draw with Oldham Athletic on 13 August 2016. The Oldham appearance proved to be Henry's last for Walsall and he departed the Bescot Stadium on 31 August. He made 57 appearances and scored three goals for the club.

Brentford

On 31 August 2016, Henry signed for Championship side Brentford for an initial fee of £1.5m on a five-year contract, rising to £5 million. The transfer reunited him with former Walsall manager Dean Smith and teammate Romaine Sawyers, while the fee made Henry the Bees' record transfer fee paid for a teenager. He underwent surgery on the dislocated shoulder on 8 September and made his first Brentford appearance on 21 February 2017, with a start in a 2–1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. He immediately replaced Tom Field as head coach Dean Smith's first-choice left back and made 12 appearances before his season was ended by a knee injury suffered in training in early May.

International career

On 10 November 2015, Henry received his first call-up to the England U19 squad for friendly matches versus the Netherlands and Japan. He won four caps at U19 level. Henry was named in England's U20 squad for the 2017 Four Nations Tournament and appeared in all three matches as the Young Lions won the competition. Henry was named in the England squad for the 2017 U20 World Cup, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Personal life

Henry is a Birmingham City supporter.

Career statistics

As a player

England U20

As an individual