Jaden Charles

Jaden Charles (born 25 January 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League Two side Mansfield Town. He is the son of former England international Gary Charles. He previously played youth-team football for Derby County, where he won the Professional Development League U18 Division 1 title in 2018–19.

Club Career

Charles spent ten years at the Academy at Derby County, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 31 games for the under-18 team and featuring once for the under-23 team and playing three times in the UEFA Youth League. Derby won the Professional Development League U18 Division 1 title in the 2018–19 season, with Charles contributing one goal from 13 games. He scored a free-kick against Newcastle United U18 in February 2020 that saw him nominated for the League Football Education's Goal of the Month award. He chose to leave the club in August 2020. On 24 March 2021, he signed with EFL League Two side Mansfield Town on a contract to run until the end of the 2020–21 season. Manager Nigel Clough gave Charles his senior debut on 1 May 2021, when he came on as 81st-minute substitute for Stephen Quinn in a 4–1 victory over Oldham Athletic at Field Mill.