Yan Dhanda

Yan Dhanda (born 14 December 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays for side Heart of Midlothian, as an attacking midfielder. He previously played for Swansea City and Ross County and was a youth player for West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool.

He is a former England under-17 international.

Early life
Dhanda was born in Birmingham, and grew up in Tipton. His mother is from England while his father was born in England to parents from Punjab, India.

Club career
Dhanda began his youth career at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Liverpool, spending five years in the youth ranks at Anfield. In his final season with the youth team, he scored five times from 18 appearances in the Premier League 2 campaign. In May 2018, he left Liverpool to join Championship club Swansea City where he was originally expected to be with the Under 23s.

Dhanda made his debut as a substitute for Swansea on 4 August 2018 against Sheffield United in a 2–1 win, scoring the winner with his first touch only moments after entering the field.

On 21 June 2022, Dhanda signed a two-year contract with Highland-based Scottish Premiership team Ross County. He signed an agreement with Hearts in January 2024, to join the club when his contract with Ross County expires. He officially joined his new team on 26 June 2024.

International career
Dhanda has represented the England U16 and England U17's at international level.

He has expressed the desire to represent India internationally and carries an Overseas Citizenship of India.

Personal life
Dhanda is of Punjabi Sikh heritage through his father. He has said that the racism he has encountered as a British Asian footballer inspires him to play at his best. The most prominent racial abuse that Dhanda received was from a 14-year-old child from Kent, who sent a racist message to Dhanda on social media following Swansea City's 2021 FA Cup loss to Manchester City.