Malachi Hardy

Malachi Hardy
Personal information
Full name Malachi John Hardy
Date of birth (2008-03-10) 10 March 2008
Place of birth Watford, England
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Tottenham Hotspur
Number 79
Youth career
2016– Tottenham Hotspur
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023 England U15 1 (0)
2023–2024 England U16 8 (1)
2024–2025 England U17 14 (1)
2025– England U18 3 (0)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 19:57, 11 November 2025 (UTC)

Malachi John Hardy (born 10 March 2008) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur's academy.

Club career

Hardy joined the youth academy of Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at the age of eight.[1] In 2024, he was promoted to the club's under-18 team and started training with the first team. He signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur on 20 March 2025.[2]

International career

Hardy is an England youth international. At the age of sixteen, he captained England Under-17.[3] He was included in the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and started group stage games against Italy and Czech Republic.[4][5]

On 3 September 2025, Hardy made his England U18 debut during a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.[6]

On 30 October 2025, Hardy was a late addition to England's squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[7] He started their opening game of the tournament against Venezuela.[8]

Style of play

Hardy plays as a defender and is right-footed. English newspaper Evening Standard wrote in 2024 that he "has the makings of a commanding centre-back... has won plaudits at youth level for his maturity and calmness both in and out of possession".[9]

References

  1. ^ "Inside Tottenham's youth revolution: The new recruitment plan". All Football. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Professional contract for Hardy". Tottenham Hotspur. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  3. ^ Clasper, Brogan (5 December 2024). "16-year-old Tottenham player is still in first-team training with Ange Postecoglou ahead of Bournemouth clash". TBR Football. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  4. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (12 May 2025). "England MU17s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  5. ^ "England 4-2 Czechia". BBC Sport. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  6. ^ Hunt, Holly (3 September 2025). "Report: England MU18s 3-1 Uzbekistan". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Changes to England Under-17 World Cup squad as duo called in". Tottenham Hotspur. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  8. ^ "England 0-3 Venezuela". ESPN. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  9. ^ Kinsella, Nizaar; Kilpatrick, Dan; Collings, Simon; Ouzia, Malik; Smith, Dom (21 March 2024). "London's top 50 youngsters: best academy stars across the capital". The Standard. Retrieved 23 January 2025.