4 Ben White

Born on October 8, 1997, in Poole, Dorset, Benjamin William White started his youth career at Southampton, where he spent eight years before being released at 16. He was subsequently signed by Brighton & Hove Albion, choosing the club over interest from Bristol City and Leicester City.

Club Career

Brighton & Hove Albion

Early Years & Debut (2016–17)
White made his professional debut for Brighton on August 9, 2016, in an EFL Cup victory over Colchester United. While he was an unused substitute for several Championship matches, he gained experience in Brighton’s cup fixtures.

Loan Spells

Newport County (2017–18):
White joined League Two side Newport County on loan in August 2017. His performances, including a standout display against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, earned him the club’s Player of the Year award.

Peterborough United (2018–19):
After renewing his contract with Brighton, White joined Peterborough United on loan in January 2019, making 16 appearances and scoring his first League One goal.

Leeds United (2019–20):
White played a crucial role in Leeds United’s Championship-winning campaign, featuring in all 46 league matches and earning multiple awards, including Leeds’ Young Player of the Season and a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

Return to Brighton & Breakthrough (2020–21)

After rejecting offers from Leeds, Brighton retained White for the 2020–21 season. He made his Premier League debut against Chelsea and was instrumental in key victories over Liverpool and Manchester City. His performances earned him Brighton’s Player of the Season award.

Arsenal (2021–Present)

In July 2021, Arsenal secured White for a club-record fee of £50 million. He debuted in August 2021 and quickly became a key part of Arsenal’s defense. Initially playing as a center-back, White transitioned to right-back during the 2022–23 season, demonstrating his adaptability.

White scored his first Arsenal goal in March 2023 against Bournemouth and later signed a contract extension until 2028. He continued to impress in the 2023–24 season, scoring a brace against Chelsea before undergoing knee surgery in November 2024.

White made his England debut in June 2021 in a friendly against Austria. He was later included in the Euro 2020 squad as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, though he remained unused during the tournament.

In November 2022, he was named in England’s World Cup squad but left the tournament early for personal reasons. By March 2024, White informed England manager Gareth Southgate that he no longer wished to be considered for international selection, reportedly due to a strained relationship with assistant coach Steve Holland.

White is known for his composure, tough tackling, and ability to drive forward with the ball. His versatility allows him to play as a center-back, right-back, or defensive midfielder. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised his work ethic and tenacity, describing him as “brave” and a “fighter.”

White married his girlfriend Milly Adams in May 2023 in a private London ceremony. Unlike many footballers, he has admitted to not watching football in his free time, preferring to focus solely on his own development.