Welbeck made his way through theyouth teams at Manchester United before making his senior debut in 2008 and scoring in the process. He was with United when they won the2008–09 League Cup and the2008 FIFA Club World Cup before being sent onloan spells withPreston North End andSunderland. From the 2011–12 season, Welbeck was a regular figure in the Manchester United first team. He was transferred toArsenal in September 2014 for a £16 million fee. In August 2019, Welbeck joinedWatford, following his release by Arsenal at the end of the previous season, before joining Brighton & Hove Albion a year later. He has since become Brighton's all-time top scorer in the Premier League.
Welbeck made his debut for theEngland national team in March 2011 in a 1–1 friendly draw againstGhana. He scored his first senior international goal on 2 June 2012, the only goal in a friendly victory overBelgium. Welbeck has gone on to represent England atUEFA Euro 2012, the2014 FIFA World Cup and the2018 FIFA World Cup, earning 42 caps.
Welbeck was first spotted byManchester United as a six-year-old.[7] At eight years old, he impressed with local teamFletcher Moss Rangers, and was finally picked up by the Manchester United youth academy.[citation needed] He joined United during the 2005–06 season, making his debut for the club's under-18 team on 8 April 2006 in a league match againstSunderland.[8] He then came on as asubstitute in the next match, before being named as an unused substitute in the team's last two matches of the season.[8] The following season, he made a further 28 appearances for the under-18s, scoring nine goals, including eight appearances and one goal in the FA Youth Cup, in which he helped the team to reach the final, despite being two years younger than some of the other players.[8] He was not handicapped despite suffering fromOsgood–Schlatter disease,[9] and was making rapid progress, despite his pneumonia.[citation needed]
Welbeck signed his first trainee contract in July 2007, and started the 2007–08 season in the under-18 team, but was quickly promoted to the reserve team, making a number of substitute appearances.[citation needed] Then, in January 2008, he was called up to the first team for the trip to Saudi Arabia to playAl-Hilal inSami Al-Jaber'stestimonial match.[citation needed] Welbeck made his debut in that match on 21 January 2008, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute forAnderson. Welbeck had the chance to snatch a draw for United when he was brought down in the penalty area in the final minute, but he put the penalty kick over the bar.[10]
Through that he joined the first-team squad partway through the 2007–08 season,[11] and made his competitive debut for the Manchester United first team on 23 September 2008, starting up front in a 3–1 home win againstMiddlesbrough in theLeague Cup Third Round.[12] Welbeck'sPremier League debut was made on 15 November 2008, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute forPark Ji-sung againstStoke City. He marked his debut with a curling 30-yard shot into the top right corner for United's fourth goal in a 5–0 win.[13] He started in the2009 League Cup Final atWembley Stadium on 1 March 2009, in which United beatTottenham Hotspur 4–1 onpenalties after a 0–0 extra-time draw.[14]
On 23 September 2009, Welbeck scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season, the only one of the match in the League Cup Third Round againstWolverhampton Wanderers.[15] Welbeck made hisUEFA Champions League debut in a 1–0 home defeat toBeşiktaş in November 2009.[16] The following month he signed a new contract, keeping him at Manchester United until 2013.[17]
On 25 January 2010, Welbeck became Alex Ferguson's sonDarren Ferguson's first signing asPreston North End manager since he took charge earlier in the month, signing onloan for the remainder of the2009–10 season.[18] As part of his recovery, he took part in a training session at Manchester United's training ground, but his knee swelled up again.[19] The injury required surgery and Welbeck's loan was cut short on 16 March so that he could return to Manchester United for the operation.[20]
On 12 August 2010, Welbeck becameSteve Bruce's eighth summer signing after Sunderland signed the United striker on loan for the duration of the2010–11 season.[21] His debut for Sunderland came on 14 August as an 83rd-minute substitute forDarren Bent in a 2–2 home draw againstBirmingham City.[22] On 14 November, Welbeck scored his first Sunderland goal as he completed the scoring in a 3–0 away victory overChelsea, rounding off what was described as an "impressive individual performance".[23] Eight days later, Welbeck scored his first home goals for Sunderland, striking twice in a 2–2 draw withEverton.[24]
Welbeck scored the only goal as Sunderland beatBolton Wanderers on 18 December 2010,[25] and also scored on 1 January 2011 as Sunderland defeatedBlackburn Rovers 3–0.[26] His form for Sunderland prompted widespread calls for anEngland call up, but on 5 January, he picked up a hamstring injury in a victory atAston Villa, ruling him out for eight weeks.[27] He made his return on 5 March 2011, in a 0–0 draw away toArsenal, coming on as a substitute forSteed Malbranque in the 68th minute; he almost scored a late goal that would have won the match for Sunderland in the 83rd minute, but his shot was saved byWojciech Szczęsny.[28] He picked up an injury in the 4–2 home win overWigan Athletic on 23 April, and he returned to Manchester United for treatment for the remainder of the season.[29]
Welbeck was given a starting berth in the2011 FA Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium on 7 August 2011.[30] United won the match 3–2, having trailed rivalsManchester City 2–0 at half time.[31] He started alongsideWayne Rooney in the first league match of the2011–12 Premier League season away toWest Bromwich Albion; he was substituted in the 65th minute, to be replaced byDimitar Berbatov.[32] On 22 August, Welbeck scored the opening goal of the match against Tottenham Hotspur, heading in a cross fromTom Cleverley from nine yards to score in the 61st minute. He then provided an assist for Anderson in the 76th minute to make the score 2–0 before being substituted. The match ended in a 3–0 win for United.[33] Welbeck opened the scoring in an eventual 8–2 win over Arsenal. From outside the box, Anderson chipped the ball into Welbeck and he headed it over Wojciech Szczęsny.[34] However, Welbeck had to leave the field early with a pulled hamstring which, consequently, ruled him out for several weeks.[35]
Welbeck scored twice in a Champions League group match againstBasel on 27 September; the match ended 3–3.[36] Welbeck scored again in the next match, a 2–0 home win overNorwich City, after coming on as a second-half substitute. He exchanged passes with Park Ji-sung before sweeping low into the bottom corner to seal the win.[37] On 21 December 2011, Welbeck opened the scoring atCraven Cottage in a 5–0 win againstFulham. He metNani's cross and steered the ball in with his left foot.[38] On 8 January 2012, Welbeck scored the second goal in a 3–2 away victory against Manchester City at theCity of Manchester Stadium in theFA Cup third round.Patrice Evra made a half-cleared cross, which Welbeck volleyed intoCostel Pantilimon's bottom corner.[39] On 14 January, it was reported that Welbeck would sign a long-term contract at Old Trafford.[40] On 22 January, Welbeck scored the winning goal in the 81st minute in a 2–1 away victory at theEmirates Stadium over Arsenal—his third goal in three matches.[41] His impressive performances throughout the 2011–12 campaign earned him a place on the shortlist for the 2012 PFA Young Player of the Year Award, which was won by Tottenham Hotspur defenderKyle Walker.[42]
Welbeck started the first match of the season against Everton on 20 August 2012, which ended a 1–0 defeat. He was substituted for the club's new signing,Robin van Persie.[43] On 22 August 2012, Welbeck signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United stating that playing for Manchester United is all he ever wanted.[44] He scored his first goal of the season on 20 October, in a 4–2 win at home to Stoke City.[45] On 13 February 2013, Welbeck scored a vital goal in a 1–1 draw againstReal Madrid at theSantiago Bernabéu Stadium, heading in from a Wayne Rooney corner, his first goal in almost four months.[46] Welbeck's goal made him the first Englishman to score for a Premier League team at the Bernabéu sinceLeeds United'sAlan Smith in 2001.[citation needed] He ended the season with a total of two goals in 40 appearances.[47]
Welbeck started for United in their 2–0 win over Wigan Athletic in the2013 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on 11 August.[48] He scored on the opening day of the Premier League season, scoring twice in a 4–1 win againstSwansea City in new managerDavid Moyes' first league match as Manchester United manager.[49] On 2 October 2013, he scored his onlyUEFA Champions League goal of the season in a 1–1 draw withShakhtar Donetsk at theDonbas Arena.[50]
Between December 2013 and January 2014, Welbeck scored six goals in six Premier League matches.[51] On 15 December, he scored twice in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa atVilla Park.[52] On 21 December, he scored his first goal at Old Trafford since October 2012 in a 3–1 win over West Ham United.[53] On 28 December, he scored the only goal in United's win at Norwich City.[54] He then scored in home matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City in January 2014.[55]
On 9 March, Welbeck scored his tenth goal of the season in a 3–0 win at West Bromwich Albion.[56] At the end of the season, Welbeck declared his intention to leave United to play as a striker elsewhere after what he described as his unhappiest season, stating: "I've been playing on the left for a while and it's got to the time when I want to stake a place up front".[57][58]
On 2 September 2014, in the late hours of deadline day, Welbeck joined Arsenal on a "long-term deal" for a £16 million fee.[59] Stating the reason for his departure to a directrival, Manchester United managerLouis van Gaal said "Welbeck doesn't have the record of Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney. We let him go because ofFalcao, but also to allow the youngsters to fit in. That is the policy. That is why I am here." Welbeck left Manchester United having made a total of 142 appearances, scoring 29 goals.[60]
Welbeck made his Arsenal debut against theprevious season's champions Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in a 2–2 draw on 13 September.[61] Following his first two appearances for Arsenal, managerArsène Wenger urged fans to be patient, saying: "Danny will improve—we don't have to make a problem of that. We have to be patient with him".[62] Welbeck scored his first Arsenal goal against Aston Villa in a 3–0 win on 20 September, and also set up a goal forMesut Özil.[63] On 1 October, he scored aUEFA Champions League hat-trick—the first treble of his professional career—againstGalatasaray in a 4–1 victory.[64]
On 9 March 2015, Welbeck scored the winning goal to knock out his former team, Manchester United, in the quarter-finals of theFA Cup at Old Trafford.[65] The following month, he was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with injury, missing the Gunners' victory in the2015 FA Cup Final.[66]
Welbeck missed the opening weeks of his second season at Arsenal through injury, with it being announced that he would be out until Christmas with a knee injury.[67] Around the time that he was expected to return, it was instead confirmed that he would be out until February 2016 at the earliest.[68] Welbeck made his return on 14 February 2016 in a 2–1 win over league-leadersLeicester City as an 83rd-minute substitute, replacingAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He announced his return by heading in an injury time winner from a Mesut Özil free-kick.[69][70] Welbeck scored in his first Premier League start of the season, Arsenal's first in a 3–2 defeat at former team Manchester United.[71]
Welbeck then scored in consecutive domestic matches, a 2–1 home defeat in the FA Cup against Watford,[72] then in a 2–0 win at Everton, ending a run of three matches of without a league win.[73] In May, Welbeck sustained another knee injury in a 2–2 draw with Manchester City from which it was estimated he would miss between three and five months of football, thereby ending any chance he had of making England'sUEFA Euro 2016 squad.[74] It was subsequently announced that he would be out of action for nine months.[75]
After being away for eight months due to the knee injury, Welbeck was named part of Arsenal's squad in the FA Cup match against his former club Preston on 7 January 2017. He started on the bench and entered the fray with seven minutes remaining in what was a 2–1 win for Arsenal, afterOlivier Giroud scored late to give Arsenal the victory.[76] After the match, Arsène Wenger praised the striker and said that "Welbeck can still have a dream career".[77]
On 28 January 2017, Welbeck made his first start of the2016–17 season in a fourth roundFA Cup tie against Southampton. He scored Arsenal's first two goals before assisting Theo Walcott's first in an eventual 5–0 win atSt Mary's Stadium.[78] He started as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 in the2017 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 27 May.[79]
Welbeck started in the2017 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on 6 August, as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4–1 penalties having drawn 1–1 after extra time.[80] He scored his first goal of the2017–18 season in Arsenal's 4–3 win over Leicester City in their openingPremier League match.[81] He went on to score twice in the team's second home match of the season, a 3–0 defeat ofAFC Bournemouth on 9 September.[82] Welbeck picked up a groin injury during Arsenal's 0–0 draw with Chelsea atStamford Bridge, which ruled him out for three weeks.[83] Welbeck ended a goalless run of 16 Premier League games to score two and assist the other as the Gunners fought back to beatSouthampton 3–2.[84]
Welbeck suffered a broken ankle in a scoreless draw againstSporting CP in theUEFA Europa League group stage.[85] The injury effectively ended his Arsenal tenure. It was reported on 5 May after the match againstBrighton, that Welbeck would not be extending his contract with Arsenal.[86] Arsenal confirmed his departure at the end of the season.[87]
Welbeck signed for Premier League clubWatford on 7 August 2019 on a contract of undisclosed length.[88] Welbeck's debut came in an away match toEverton when he came on in the 67th minute as a substitute, where Watford lost 1–0.[89] He scored his first goal in the EFL Cup game againstSwansea City where Watford won 2–1.[90] Welbeck scored his first league goal for Watford in a 2–1 home win overNorwich City.[91] He left the club by mutual consent on 6 October 2020.[92]
Welbeck signed for Premier League clubBrighton & Hove Albion on 18 October 2020 on a free transfer on a one-year contract.[93] He made his debut two weeks later, coming on as a substitute forLeandro Trossard in a 2–1 away defeat againstTottenham Hotspur.[94] He made his first start five days later, playing 86 minutes of a 0–0 home draw against fellow Premier League sideBurnley.[95] On 21 November 2020, Welbeck scored his first Brighton goal in a 2–1 away league win overAston Villa.[96] On his first appearance in front of Albion fans, during the brief period in December when fan attendance was permitted, Welbeck scored his first home goal for the Seagulls on 20 December, an 87th minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw againstSheffield United.[97] On 4 April 2021, he scored against former and boyhood club Manchester United at Old Trafford putting the Seagulls ahead, however they went on to lose 2–1.[98] Welbeck played in Brighton's 3–2 home victory over championsManchester City on 18 May, with fans returning to football, in which they came back from 2–0 down to beat City for the first time since 1989. However, Welbeck's appearance was cut short, going off injured in the 29th minute.[99]
On 23 June 2021, Brighton announced Welbeck had signed a new one-year contract with the club.[100] He scored his first goal of the2021–22 season glancing home a near-post header from aLeandro Trossard cross, scoring Albion's second in a 2–1 home victory overLeicester City on 19 September.[101] In October it was revealed that Welbeck had undergone surgery on a hamstring problem and would miss the rest of 2021.[102] However, he did make a return shortly before the new year, coming on as a substitute on Boxing Day, in the 2–0 home victory overBrentford.[103] Three days later, making another substitute appearance, Welbeck scored a stoppage-time headed equaliser away atEuropean championsChelsea to earn the Seagulls a second draw atStamford Bridge two seasons running, and scoring the club's first ever goal at the stadium as the game finished 1–1.[104] He scored against Leicester in the reverse fixture on 23 January 2022, scoring two in two against the Foxes, heading in the equaliser in a 1–1 away draw.[105]In Brighton's last game of the season, he set upPascal Groß's goal before Groß returned the favour for Albion's third in the 3–1 home victory overWest Ham United, helping Brighton to a ninth-place finish, their highest ever in the English top-flight.[106]
In the opening game of the2022–23 season, Welbeck helped Brighton to their first ever win at his old ground Old Trafford, assisting Groß's first of two in the 2–1 win over Manchester United.[107] Welbeck subsequently signed a new two-year contract with the club, taking him through to 2024.[108] He scored his first goal of the season on 9 November, scoring a penalty to equalise in an eventual 3–1EFL Cup third round win away at his former club, Arsenal.[109] After a period out injured, on his return on 14 January 2023, Welbeck scored Brighton's third goal – his first league goal of the season – after coming off the bench in a 3–0 home win over Liverpool.[110] On 29 April, Welbeck scored his first Brighton brace and made an assist, helping Brighton to their biggest Premier League victory, a 6–0 win overWolverhampton Wanderers.[111]
On 16 September 2023, Welbeck scored his first goal of the2023–24 season in a 3–1 away win at Old Trafford.[112] He went on to make 29 league appearances, scoring 5 goals.
On 14 March 2024, Welbeck netted the only goal in Brighton's 1–0 home win versusAS Roma in the Last 16 of theUEFA Europa League. This was merely a consolation goal, however, after Roma had run out 4–0 winners in the first leg in Rome as the Seagulls were eliminated in their debut European season.
In May 2024, Welbeck extended his contract with Brighton to June 2026.[113] On 5 April 2025, Welbeck became Brighton's top all-time Premier League scorer, netting his 31st league goal for his club againstCrystal Palace.[114]
In October 2025, Welbeck's free-kick against Manchester United confirmed his status as Brighton's all-time top scorer in the top division, overtaking the 37 goals tally set by Michael Robinson in the early 1980s.[citation needed] Welbeck's flourishing form in the autumn of his career led his manager,Fabian Hürzeler, to state he is maturing 'like a fine wine.'[citation needed] As a result of this comment, Welbeck himself posted his new name on social media as 'Danny Malbec'.[citation needed]
Welbeck made hisEngland under-16s debut as a 14-year-old in October 2005; he replacedNathan Porritt in the 70th minute of the 4–0 win againstWales in the 2005 Victory Shield.[115][116] England would go on to share the Shield with Wales after finishing level at the top of the table.[116] He then progressed to the England under-17s team, scoring the decider in a qualifying match against Serbia, to help his team progress to the2007 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[citation needed] The tournament saw England finish as runners-up to Spain, which secured the team a place in the2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. There, Welbeck scored two goals against New Zealand, helping England to reach the quarter-finals in their first involvement in the tournament.[citation needed] Welbeck was originally intended to be a squad member for England's European Under-19 Championship campaign in July 2008, but was forced to withdraw.[citation needed] He eventually made his debut for the under-19s on 9 September 2008, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 win over the Netherlands.[citation needed]
Welbeck made hisEngland under-21 debut on 10 February 2009, in the 3–2 loss to Ecuador, coming on forAdam Johnson.[117] He followed this up with another substitute appearance in a 2–0 home defeat toFrance on 31 March.[118] He was then named inStuart Pearce's original 23-man squad for the2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden on 27 May,[119] but he had to pull out of the squad on 31 May, due to an injury.[120] On 7 September 2010, Welbeck scored his first two goals for the England under-21 team in a 3–0 win overLithuania.[121] He scored his third under-21 goal in a 4–0 away victory overDenmark on 24 March 2011.[122] Welbeck then started the first match of England's campaign at the2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship againstSpain.[citation needed] Welbeck scored an 88th-minute equaliser as England began the tournament with a 1–1 draw.[citation needed]
On 18 November 2008, it was reported that theGhana Football Association was keeping tabs on Welbeck, with a view to him representing theGhana national team in the future.[123] On 29 March 2011, Welbeck was called up to the England squad, for their friendly fixture against Ghana.[124] Welbeck replacedAshley Young in the 81st minute of a 1–1 draw with Ghana at Wembley Stadium.[125]
He played in England's decidingUEFA Euro 2012 qualifier againstMontenegro on 7 October 2011, coming on as a substitute forTheo Walcott in the second half.[126] On 29 May 2012, Welbeck was listed as a part of the confirmed 23-man squad forRoy Hodgson's England squad forUEFA Euro 2012. On 2 June 2012, he scored his first goal for England in a 1–0 win againstBelgium, with a chip over goalkeeperSimon Mignolet after collecting a through ball from his Manchester United teammate Ashley Young.[127] On 15 June 2012, Welbeck scored a backheeled winning goal in the 79th minute as England beat Sweden 3–2 in UEFA Euro 2012 in Kyiv.[128]
Welbeck scored four goals in England's qualification for the2014 FIFA World Cup, braces in two home matches: a 5–0 win overSan Marino on 12 October 2012[129] and a 4–0 victory againstMoldova on 6 September 2013,[130] He was called up for the final squad for the tournament.[131] and started in England's opening 2–1 defeat to Italy before being substituted forRoss Barkley after 61 minutes.[132] Welbeck also played England's second group match, a loss by the same score to Uruguay in which he was substituted forAdam Lallana for the last 19 minutes.[133]
On 8 September 2014, in England's first match ofUEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, Welbeck scored both goals in a 2–0 victory away toSwitzerland atSt. Jakob-Park, Basel.[134] He then scored in matches against San Marino,Slovenia andLithuania to make him the top goalscorer in the qualifying phase with six goals from five matches.[135]
During March 2018, Welbeck was selected for the national team for friendlies in preparation for the2018 FIFA World Cup alongside Arsenal teammateJack Wilshere.[136] He was named in the 23-man England squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[137] His only match of the tournament came in England's final group game which was againstBelgium at theKaliningrad Stadium on 28 June, with both teams already through to the knockouts. He replaced Liverpool's teenage full backTrent Alexander-Arnold in the 79th minute where Belgium won the match 1–0 with a 59th minuteAdnan Januzaj goal to winGroup G.[138]
Due to his height and running style, Welbeck has been compared to former Arsenal strikerEmmanuel Adebayor,[139][140] but styled his game on another former Arsenal forward, his boyhood heroThierry Henry.[141]
He has also been known for his work-rate and has been described as strong, quick, and very good in the air.[142]
Critics have acknowledged the strength in Welbeck's style of play such as his work-rate, pace and intelligence in following tactical command, especially after his performance in both of Manchester United's Champions League knock-out stage matches against Real Madrid in 2013.[citation needed] Welbeck has been praised as a big game player.[143][144][145]
Under former England manager Roy Hodgson, who favoured the 4–3–3 formation,[146][147] Welbeck's ability in supporting the attack, pressing the midfield, and hold up play fit well into the system.[148][149]
^Teague, Jack (14 October 2005)."U16s hit Wales for four".The Football Association. Archived fromthe original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved29 January 2022.
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