Jayden Onen

Jayden Roy Onen (born 17 February 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for USL League One club Lexington SC.

Onen is a product of the Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion academies and began his professional career with Brentford B in 2018. Following spells with the U23 teams at Reading and Sheffield Wednesday, he moved to the United States in 2023. While there, he played for USL League One clubs Forward Madison and Lexington SC.

Youth years
An attacking midfielder, Onen began his career in the Arsenal academy, before joining Crystal Palace on a scholarship deal in 2017. He remained at Selhurst Park until December 2017, when he joined the Brighton & Hove Albion academy as a scholar. Onen made one EFL Trophy appearance for Albion's U21 team during the 2018–19 season, before his release in December 2018.

Brentford
On 17 December 2018, Onen transferred to the B team at Championship club Brentford and signed an 18-month contract. He made 30 appearances and scored three goals for the B team prior to his release at the end of the 2019–20 season. A one-month loan at National League club Bromley in late 2019 yielded just one injury time substitute appearance.

Reading
On 6 November 2020, after a successful trial period, Onen joined the U23 team at Championship club Reading on a contract running until the end of the 2020–21 season. During the remainder of the season, he was an unused substitute for the first team on 16 occasions and made two appearances prior to the expiration of his contract.

Sheffield Wednesday
Following a trial spell, Onen signed a contract running until the end of the 2021–22 season with the U23 team at League One club Sheffield Wednesday. He failed to win a call into a first team matchday squad and was released when his contract expired.

Forward Madison
On 17 January 2023, Onen signed a contract to play the 2023 season with USL League One club Forward Madison. He made 27 appearances and scored four goals during a 2023 season which concluded with a quarter-final playoff defeat. Onen's performances were recognised with a nomination for the USL League One Young Player of the Year award. He departed the club in January 2024.

Lexington SC
On 4 January 2023, Onen joined fellow USL League One club Lexington SC on a free transfer.

International career
Onen was called up to the Uganda squad for two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2020, which were later postponed. He participated in a training camp in Dubai in October 2020.

Personal life
Onen is of Ugandan descent. In July 2020, it was reported that FUFA were trying to arrange dual-citizenship with Uganda for Onen.

Career statistics
