Will Nightingale
English footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William John Robert Nightingale (born 2 August 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for National League club Sutton United.
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Nightingale in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William John Robert Nightingale[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 2 August 1995[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Wandsworth, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sutton United | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2014 | AFC Wimbledon | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2025 | AFC Wimbledon | 175 | (7) |
| 2023–2025 | → Ross County (loan) | 30 | (0) |
| 2025–2026 | Aldershot Town | 36 | (3) |
| 2026– | Sutton United | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:03, 9 June 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
AFC Wimbledon
Nightingale was born in Wandsworth, Greater London.[4] He joined the AFC Wimbledon Academy at the age of nine, progressing through the ranks before making the step up to the first team at the age of 18.[5] His first association with the first team came as an unused substitute in a 2–0 home loss to Torquay United on 11 January 2014.[6] Nightingale was offered his first professional contract with AFC Wimbledon in May 2014.[7]
Nightingale made his first-team debut on 17 January 2015 at the age of 19, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–1 home defeat to Carlisle United.[8] He was rewarded by being named in the starting line-up for the following match, a 2–1 home win against Accrington Stanley on 24 January 2015.[8] He was named as the man of the match and was commended by manager Neal Ardley for his performance.[9] He scored his first career goal on 7 April 2018 with a fourth-minute header in a 1–1 draw against Scunthorpe United.[10][11]
He was named the club's Player of the Season for the 2018–19 campaign,[12] which saw Wimbledon achieve survival despite being ten points adrift of safety in February.[13] On 22 May 2019, he signed a new contract with AFC Wimbledon of an undisclosed length.[14]
On 14 August 2021 during a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers, Nightingale scored the first Wimbledon goal in front of fans at the newly built Plough Lane stadium.[15]
Nightingale moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Ross County in July 2023.[16] In June 2024, Ross County announced a season-long loan extension for Nightingale, ensuring he stayed at the club for a second consecutive season.[17]
At the end of the 2024-25 season, Nightingale was released by AFC Wimbledon, ending his playing association with a testimonial match on 1 June 2025 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.[18]
Aldershot Town
On 5 August 2025, Nightingale joined National League club Aldershot Town.[19]
Sutton United
On 6 June 2026, Nightingale agreed to join fellow National League club Sutton United.[20]
Career statistics
- As of end of 2025–26 season
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| AFC Wimbledon | 2014–15[8] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015–16[21] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[22] | League One | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[b] | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2017–18[23] | League One | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2018–19[24] | League One | 39 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| 2019–20[25] | League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[26] | League One | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 38 | 2 | |
| 2021–22[27] | League One | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 1 | 38 | 4 | |
| 2022–23[28] | League Two | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| Total | 175 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 204 | 8 | ||
| Ross County (loan) | 2023–24[29] | Scottish Premiership | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| 2024-25[30] | Scottish Premiership | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||
| Aldershot Town | 2025–26[31] | National League | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
| Career total | 241 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 279 | 11 | ||
- Appearance in Football League Trophy
- Appearances in EFL Trophy
