The tale of Ryan Astley, the Welsh-born professional footballer who first graced this turf on 4 October 2001, is one worth telling. Serving predominantly as a central defender, Astley is currently signed with Dundee on Scottish soil. A formidable presence on the field, Astley towers over many at just over 6ft (1.84m) and weighs a solid 12st 3lb (78kg). He is often seen on the pitch donning the number 4 strip.
According to Transfermarkt, Astley's current market value is roughly £500k. An impressive figure when one considers his steadily advancing career.
Astley's footie career first took flight in the realms of the Premier League, with Everton taking him under their wing as a keen trainee in July 2017. His time with Everton proved to be a stepping stone, paving the way for an exciting loan transfer to Accrington Stanley in the English League Two in July 2022. During his loan year with Accrington Stanley, Astley was seen nailing it on the pitch in 23 first team appearances and notching his first league goal.
Upon his return to Everton in June 2023, Astley's path twisted towards Dundee of the Scottish Premiership. He joined the squad in January 2024 for an undisclosed fee. During his initial 2023 - 2024 season with Dundee, Astley's presence was felt in three first team appearances. A sturdy part of the squad, the next 2024 - 2025 season saw Astley heavily involved in 26 games. He continues to hold his own in the ongoing 2025 - 2026 season, having already taken part in 16 first team matches and knocking in two league goals.
Astley's football career, though still relatively youthful, contains a series of noteworthy hops across the league landscape that make for an interesting narrative indeed.
