Fikayo Tomori

Chelsea

Youth career

Tomori joined the Chelsea Academy at under-eight level and progressed through the club's academy system. He was part of the Chelsea youth side which recorded back to back triumphs in both the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup in 2015 and 2016. On 11 May 2016, Tomori was named to the first-team substitute bench along with fellow academy players Tammy Abraham and Kasey Palmer, in Chelsea's 1–1 draw with Liverpool. However, he failed to make an appearance at Anfield. On 15 May, in Chelsea's final game of the 2015–16 season, Tomori made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Premier League champions Leicester City, replacing Branislav Ivanović in the 60th minute. Although Tomori was included in the United States pre-season tour, he did not make a single appearance. On 1 August, Tomori signed a new four-year contract ahead of the 2016–17 season.

2017–2019: Loans to Championship clubs

On 23 January 2017, Tomori joined Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 season. Five days later, Tomori made his Brighton debut in a 3–1 away defeat against National League team Lincoln City in the FA Cup fourth round, in which he scored an own goal to give Lincoln the lead. On 18 February 2017, Tomori made his league debut for Brighton, in their 2–0 away victory against Barnsley, replacing Anthony Knockaert in stoppage time of the second half. On 18 March 2017, Tomori was given his first start for Brighton in…

Canada

On 27 March 2016, Tomori captained Canada U20 to a 2–1 victory over England U20 on his third appearance for the nation.

England

Youth

On 16 May 2016, in the next international break and a day after making his professional club debut, Tomori was called up to the England U19 squad. On 4 June, Tomori made his England U19 debut in a 2–0 defeat against Mexico U20s, playing the full 90 minutes. Tomori was also part of the England 2016 UEFA European Under-19 Championship squad which reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Italy. Tomori was selected for the England under-20 team in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Tomori however scored an own goal in England's second group game against Guinea. Nevertheless, Tomori would help England beat Venezuela in the final 1–0, which was England's first win in a global tournament since their World Cup victory of 1966. On 27 May 2019, Tomori was included in England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He started in all three matches as England were knocked out in the group stage.

Senior

On 3 October 2019, Tomori received his first call-up to the England senior squad for Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Czechia and Bulgaria. He later said he was committed to playing for England, following interest from Nigeria and Canada; he had previously represented Canada at youth level. Tomori made his debut for England on 17 November against Kosovo in a Euro 2020…

Tomori is known for his fast running and hard tackling. Confident in possession and comfortable with the ball at both of his feet, he can play in most defensive positions of different formations. While usually a centre-back on the right side, he regularly plays on the left side as well, due to his ability with the left foot. On a few occasions, he also played as a full-back on either side of the pitch, both on club and national team levels. However, his primary position still remains in central defense, preferably in a high defensive line. Although not known as a long passer, he can quickly and accurately pass the ball to teammates in the team's own half on the pitch in attempts to either organize an attack or continue to keep possession of the ball. Standing at 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in), an average height for a central defender, he often comes out as a winner in aerial duels, courtesy of his jumping and heading abilities, which led him to score several goals following set-pieces like free kicks and corner kicks.

Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori was born on 19 December 1997 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Nigerian parents. Before the age of one, Tomori moved with his family to England where he was raised. Tomori attended Gravesend Grammar School in Gravesham and he began his football career by playing for Riverview United in Kent when he was six. Growing up, his footballing idol was Thierry Henry.