User:Beatpoet/sandboxArthur

Benjamin Kristian Arthur (born 9 October 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for club Brentford.

Arthur is a product of the Peterborough United academy and began his professional career with Brentford in 2023. He has been capped by England at youth level.

Early years
A central defender, Arthur began his career in the Peterborough United academy at the age of 13. Despite "injury and other struggles", he progressed to sign a scholarship deal with the club and was a part of its 2022–23 U18 Professional Development League Cup-winning U18 squad. Shortly after winning his maiden call into a first team matchday squad, Arthur turned down a "substantial offer" to sign a professional contract and departed London Road on 31 August 2023.

Brentford
On 31 August 2023, Arthur transferred to the B team at Premier League club Brentford and signed a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The fee was reported to be "close to £1 million" and "nearly a record for a League One scholar, plus millions in add-ons". Arthur missed the first half of the 2023–24 season with an unspecified injury and returned to match play in early January 2024. An injury crisis in defence saw Arthur win his maiden call into the first team squad for a Premier League match versus Arsenal on 9 March 2024 and he remained an unused substitute during the 2–1 defeat.

International career
Arthur was a part of England's U18 squad at the 2023 International Tournament of Lisbon and he appeared in each of the team's three matches at the tournament. He won his maiden U19 call-up for a training camp and two friendlies in September 2023, but was not named in either matchday squad. Arthur received his second U19 call-up for two friendlies in March 2024 and he made his debut with a start in a 3–2 defeat to the United States.

Career statistics
