Kaine Kesler-Hayden

Kaine Kesler-Hayden
Personal information
Full name Kaine Kesler-Hayden[1]
Date of birth (2002-10-23) 23 October 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Full-back, right wing-back
Team information
Current team
Preston North End
(on loan from Aston Villa)
Number 29
Youth career
0000–2021 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Aston Villa 3 (0)
2021–2022Swindon Town (loan) 18 (0)
2022Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 15 (1)
2022–2023Huddersfield Town (loan) 14 (1)
2023–2024Plymouth Argyle (loan) 24 (0)
2024–Preston North End (loan) 10 (0)
International career
2021–2022 England U20 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 October 2024 (UTC)

Kaine Kesler-Hayden (born 23 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back or right wing-back for EFL Championship club Preston North End, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa.[3][4]

A product of the Aston Villa Academy, he captained their under-18 side to victory in the FA Youth Cup in 2021. Kesler has represented England at under-20 level.

Club career

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Aston Villa

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Early career

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Having progressed through the club's academy system, Kesler-Hayden was named in the Aston Villa starting line-up for his senior debut on 8 January 2021 in an FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool, after "a large number of first-team players and staff" tested positive for COVID-19, rendering Villa's first-team squad unavailable for the match.[5][6] Villa lost 4–1 but were praised for their performance.[7]

On 24 May 2021, Kesler-Hayden captained the Aston Villa U18 side which won the FA Youth Cup, beating Liverpool U18 2–1 in the final.[8] Kesler-Hayden was later one of several academy players given five-year professional contracts by the club in July 2021.[9]

Swindon Town loan

[edit]

On 2 August 2021, Kesler-Hayden signed for Swindon Town on a season-long loan,[10] and made his professional league debut five days later, in a 3–1 away victory over Scunthorpe United, in which he won a penalty that led to Swindon's equaliser.[11] He received his first red card as a professional in his second appearance for Swindon, picking up a second yellow card in a 2–1 defeat to Carlisle United.[12]

On 4 December 2021, Kesler-Hayden scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 FA Cup victory over Walsall.[13] Kesler-Hayden featured in Swindon's third round FA Cup tie against Manchester City on 7 January 2022. Swindon were beaten 4–1, yet Kesler Hayden received widespread praise for his strong performance against the Premier League side.[14] Two days later, on 9 January, Kesler-Hayden was recalled from his loan by Aston Villa.[15] For his contribution on loan, Kesler-Hayden was later named Swindon Town's Young Player of the Season at the club's end of season awards ceremony.[16]

Milton Keynes Dons loan

[edit]

On 31 January 2022, Kesler-Hayden joined League One promotion contenders Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[17] He made his League One debut on 8 February 2022, in a 1–1 draw against Fleetwood Town.[18] On 22 February 2022, Kesler-Hayden scored his first goal for MK Dons, also his first professional league goal, in a 2–0 away win over Charlton Athletic.[19] He went on to make 17 appearances for the Dons, helping them to a third-placed play-off finish.[20]

Huddersfield Town loan

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On 12 August 2022, Kesler-Hayden joined Championship club Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan.[21] On 15 January 2023, Aston Villa recalled Kesler-Hayden from his loan. He had made 15 appearances with one goal and one assist during his loan.[22] Huddersfield Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby explained that the decision was made mutually between both teams with the player's best interests in mind, after Huddersfield made the signing of Matthew Lowton and Kesler-Hayden's place in the first-team was no longer guaranteed - the decision also allowing Huddersfield to use one of their loan allocations to strengthen another part of the team.[23]

Plymouth Argyle loan

[edit]

On 29 June 2023, Kesler-Hayden signed for EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan deal.[24] In January 2024, Aston Villa exercised a recall option in his loan contract, returning to his parent side having made twenty-seven appearances.[25]

Premier League debut

[edit]

On 30 March 2024, Kesler-Hayden made his Premier League debut, as a late substitute in a 2–0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[26] On 3 July 2024, Kesler-Hayden signed a contract extension with Villa.[27]

Preston North End loan

[edit]

On 7 August 2024, Kesler-Hayden joined Championship club Preston North End on a season-long loan.[28]

International career

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Kesler-Hayden was called up to a training camp for the England U19 national team in November 2020.[29] On 6 September 2021, he made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.[30]

Career statistics

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As of match played 26 October 2024[31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa U21 2020–21[32] 1[a] 0 1 0
Aston Villa 2020–21[32] Premier League 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2021–22[33] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022–23[34] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023–24[35] 3 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 4 0
2024–25[36] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
Swindon Town (loan) 2021–22[33] League Two 18 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 21 1
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2021–22[33] League One 15 1 2[c] 0 17 1
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2022–23[34] Championship 14 1 1 0 0 0 15 1
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2023–24[35] Championship 24 0 1 0 2 0 27 0
Preston North End (loan) 2024–25[36] Championship 10 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 10 0
Career total 84 2 6 1 5 0 4 0 96 3
  1. ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa Conference League
  3. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs

Honours

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Aston Villa U18

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". www.premierleague.com. Premier League. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Kaine Kesler". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Kaine Kesler-Hayden". www.avfc.co.uk. Aston Villa F.C. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. ^ Rushton, James (16 July 2020). "Who is Kaine Kesler? The latest Villa kid called up to train with the first team". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Aston Villa name young and inexperienced side for their FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool". www.avfc.co.uk. Aston Villa F.C. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  6. ^ McNulty, Phil (7 January 2021). "Villa set to field youngsters v Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  7. ^ Doyle, Paul (8 January 2021). "Sadio Mané double sees Liverpool past bold and youthful Aston Villa". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b Preece, Ashley (24 May 2021). "Aston Villa vs Liverpool FA Youth Cup final LIVE updates". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Seven Villa U23s pen new deals". Aston Villa Football Club. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Kesler Hayden joins Swindon Town on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Swindon fans laud Aston Villa loanee Kaine Kesler Hayden after debut". The Boot Room. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  12. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (14 August 2021). "Swindon Town lose 2-1 to Carlisle United in League Two". This Is Wiltshire. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  13. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (4 December 2021). "Swindon Town beat Walsall 2–1 in FA Cup second round". This Is Wiltshire. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Covid-hit Man City too strong for Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Kesler Hayden returns to Villa". Aston Villa Football Club. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Harry McKirdy cleans up in End of Season Awards". Swindon Town. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Kaine Kesler: MK Dons sign Aston Villa full-back on loan". BBC. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Fleetwood Town 1-1 MK Dons: A point apiece at Highbury Stadium". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Charlton Athletic 0-2 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers (agg 1-2)". BBC. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Kaine Kesler Hayden joins Terriers on loan". Aston Villa Football Club. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Kaine Kesler Hayden returns to Villa". Aston Villa Football Club. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  23. ^ Hobkinson, Matthew (15 January 2023). "Leigh Bromby explains Kaine Kesler-Hayden's Huddersfield Town departure". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  24. ^ "Argyle Sign Kaine Kesler-Hayden on Loan". Plymouth Argyle. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Kesler-Hayden returns to Villa". www.pafc.co.uk. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Villa beat Wolves to maintain top-four gap over Spurs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Kesler-Hayden signs contract extension". Aston Villa Football Club. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Kaine Kesler-Hayden Joins On Loan". www.pnefc.net. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Three England men's development squads will meet for training camps in November". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Six at SGP for MU20s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  31. ^ Kaine Kesler-Hayden at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Kaine Hayden in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  33. ^ a b c "Games played by Kaine Hayden in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Kaine Hayden in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Games played by Kaine Hayden in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Kaine Hayden in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
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