Nico Jones

Nico Anthony Jones (born 3 February 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a central defender for club Banbury United.

Jones is a product of the Fulham Academy and began his professional career with Oxford United. He transferred to Brentford B in 2021, for whom he played until his release in 2023. Born in England, Jones was capped by the Republic of Ireland at under-18 level.

Early years and Oxford United
A central defender, Jones began his youth career in the Fulham Academy at under-9 level. After eight years with the club, he signed a scholarship deal with Oxford United in 2018. He made three first team appearances late in the 2018–19 season and signed a two-year professional contract, with the option of a further year, in June 2019. Jones made just one senior appearance during the 2019–20 season, albeit a memorable one, when he captained Oxford United to a 4–1 EFL Trophy group stage win over Crawley Town on 12 November 2019. The appearance made him the club's youngest-ever captain.

Jones was thereafter was reduced to making EFL Trophy appearances and spent time away on loan at National League South clubs Oxford City and Havant & Waterlooville during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. He was released in June 2021, after the club neglected to take up the one-year option on his contract. Jones made eight senior appearances during three seasons at the Kassam Stadium.

Brentford
On 15 August 2021, Jones transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed two-year contract, with the option of a further year, on a free transfer. Over the course of the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, he made 61 B team appearances and was a part of the 2021–22 London Senior Cup-winning squad. Jones occasionally participated in first team training during the 2021–22 season and made one mid-season friendly appearance. He was released when his contract expired in June 2023.

Non-League football
On 21 November 2023, Jones signed a short-term contract with National League South club Welling United. He made a single Kent Senior Cup appearance for the club. On 6 February 2024, Jones made a second Kent Senior Cup appearance of the 2023–24 season, for Dover Athletic. As an ineligible player, the club was thrown out of the competition for fielding him. On 1 March 2024, Jones transferred to Isthmian League South East Division club Burgess Hill Town. He made four appearances before the end of the 2023–24 season, which culminated in relegation. In June 2024, Jones transferred to Southern League Premier Division Central club Banbury United.

International career
Jones was called into the Republic of Ireland under-18 squad for a friendly tournament in Sweden in September 2019 and he made one appearance, in a 0–0 draw with the hosts. Jones made his only under-20 appearance with a start in a non-cap friendly versus the Republic of Ireland amateur team on 22 March 2022.

Career statistics


Honours
Brentford B
 * London Senior Cup: 2021–22