Loick Denis Henry Ayina (born 20 April 2003) is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Huddersfield Town.

Loick Ayina
Personal information
Full name Loick Denis Henry Ayina[1]
Date of birth (2003-04-20) 20 April 2003 (age 21)[2]
Place of birth Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Huddersfield Town)
Number 28
Youth career
Troyes
AAS Sarcelles
2019– Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Huddersfield Town 2 (0)
2021Boston United (loan) 4 (0)
2023Dundee United (loan) 12 (0)
2024Ross County (loan) 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:28, 18 March 2024 (UTC)

Career

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Born in the Republic of the Congo capital Brazzaville, he moved to Paris, France as a youngster, Diarra started his football career playing for local Parisian club Montrouge F.C. 92, before moving to Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt.[3][4]

Alongside fellow Frenchman Brahima Diarra, he moved to Huddersfield Town in July 2019, and they both signed professional contracts with the club a year later.[5]

In October 2021, Ayina joined National League North side Boston United on a one-month loan.[6]

Ayina made his senior debut for Huddersfield Town on 7 January 2023, when he played in their 3–1 FA Cup defeat against Preston North End, where he received an early yellow card, and was substituted before half-time, for fear of a second yellow card.[7]

On 31 January 2023, Ayina joined Dundee United on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.[8] He was sent off on his debut, against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup.[9] Ayina would return to Huddersfield at the end of the season following United's relegation to the Scottish Championship.[10]

On 26 January 2024, Ayina joined Scottish Premiership club Ross County on loan for the remainder of the season.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 23rd June 2020: Huddersfield Town" (PDF). 23 June 2020. p. 12. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Loick Ayina - Defender - B Team - Huddersfield Town". www.htafc.com.
  3. ^ "#YOUNGTERRIERS IN FOCUS – LOICK AYINA". www.htafc.com.
  4. ^ "Who is Loick Ayina? Huddersfield Town prospect in profile after first-team call-up". Huddersfield Examiner - YorkshireLive.
  5. ^ "AYINA & DIARRA SIGN FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS". www.htafc.com.
  6. ^ "LOANS FOR LOICK AND SONNY". htafc.com. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Preston North End 3–1 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 7 January 2023.
  8. ^ "LOICK AYINA JOINS UNITED ON LOAN". Dundee United FC. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  9. ^ Temple, Alan (11 February 2023). "Dundee United verdict: Player ratings, star man and key moments as Kilmarnock dump Tangerines out of the Scottish Cup and Loick Ayina sees red". The Courier. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  10. ^ "SQUAD UPDATE | DEPARTING PLAYERS". Dundee United Football Club. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Ayina joins on loan from Huddersfield Town". www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.