Ryan Astley

For Ryan Astley, he joined the Everton academy in 2018, making his under-23 debut at the age of 16. A season-ending injury in April 2021 threatened to derail his progress, yet Everton offered him a new contract despite the setback.

The move to Accrington Stanley on loan in July 2022 provided the clarity he needed. He made 22 league appearances and scored once, proving he could handle the physical demands of the game at a higher intensity. The opportunity to join Dundee came through a personal recommendation. Astley was convinced to move to Scotland by fellow Welshman Owen Beck. He signed on a 2.5-year deal in January 2024, stepping into a role that required immediate resilience.

His time in Scotland has been defined by consistency. He scored his first league goal for Dundee away at Rangers on 9 August 2025, a strike he admits left him losing sleep over a missed opportunity at Ibrox. He has since netted three goals in the Scottish League Cup, showing he is not afraid to take risks in attack. The club extended his contract until 2029 on 14 May 2026, a sign of their faith in his long-term development. He has made 67 league appearances for the Tannadice side, cementing his place in the defence. There is a history between him and the Old Firm that adds an edge to his performances, particularly after he was adjudged to have fouled Nico Raskin for a Rangers penalty. He plays with a right foot, standing at 184 cm, and wears the number 4 shirt. The transfer that changed his trajectory was not the fee paid, but the trust placed in him by the management. He has clawed his way back from injury to become a staple of the squad.