Ben Close

Ben Easton Close (born 8 August 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Portsmouth.

Ben Close
Personal information
Full name Ben Easton Close[1]
Date of birth (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996[2]
Place of birth Portsmouth, England[3]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[4]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Portsmouth
Number 8
Youth career
Portsmouth
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014– Portsmouth 126 (14)
2015 → Poole Town (loan) 7 (1)
2017 → Eastleigh (loan) 9 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:22, 23 January 2021 (UTC)

Career

Portsmouth

Born in Portsmouth, Close signed a two-year scholarship deal after spending many years in Portsmouth's youth categories.[3] He was an unused substitute for a first team game on 3 May 2014 for a league game against Plymouth Argyle.[5]

On 9 May 2014, Close was offered a one-year professional contract with the club, alongside Bradley Tarbuck.[6] On 12 September 2014, he made his professional debut, coming on as a 43rd minute substitute for Nigel Atangana in a 3–1 away win against Yeovil Town, for the campaign's Football League Trophy.[7]

Close made his League Two debut on 16 September, again from the bench in a 3–0 home success against Dagenham & Redbridge.[8] After playing only 4 games for Pompey in 2016–17, on 31 January 2017, he joined National League side Eastleigh on loan until the end of the season.[9]

On 26 May 2017 Close signed a new one-year contract at Pompey, with the club holding an option for an additional year.[10] On 17 December, after becoming a starter under new manager Kenny Jackett, he extended his contract until 2020.[11]

On 2 March 2019, Close scored his first professional brace in a 5–1 home victory over Bradford City A.F.C,. [12]

Career statistics
As of 23 January 2021[13]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Portsmouth 2014–15 League Two 6010002090
2015–16 70302020140
2016–17 0010003040
2017–18 League One 402101030452
2018–19 348301081469
2019–20 293523170446
2020–21 101200030151
Total 126141627128117718
Poole Town (loan) 2014–15 SFL - Premier Division 5000003181
Eastleigh (loan) 2016–17 National League 9000000090
Career total 140141627131219419

Honours

Club

Portsmouth

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Portsmouth" (PDF). English Football League. p. 56. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  2. "Ben Close - profile". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  3. "Eight get blues apprenticeships". www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. "Ben Close - Midfielder - First Team - Portsmouth". www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  5. Portsmouth 3–3 Plymouth; BBC Sport, 9 May 2014
  6. Nine players released; Portsmouth FC, 9 May 2014
  7. "Yeovil 1-3 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  8. "Portsmouth 3–0 Dag & Red". BBC Sport. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  9. "Close loaned to Eastleigh". Portsmouth FC. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. "New Deal for Close". Portsmouth FC. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  11. "Close Extends Pompey Contract". Portsmouth FC. 17 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  12. "Portsmouth 5-1 Bradford City". 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  13. Ben Close at Soccerway
  14. Williams, Adam (31 March 2019). "Portsmouth 2–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
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