Nelson Abbey

Nelson Ighodaro Abbey (born 28 August 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Rio Ave.^[2]

Nelson Abbey

Personal information
Full name	Nelson Ighodaro Abbey[1]
Date of birth	(2003-08-28) 28 August 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Reading, England
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Rio Ave
Number	4
Youth career
0000–2020	Reading
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2024	Reading	25	(0)
2024–2025	Olympiacos	4	(0)
2024	→ Swansea City (loan)	0	(0)
2025	→ Rio Ave (loan)	8	(0)
2025–	Rio Ave	0	(0)
International career‡
2020	England U17	3	(0)
2023–2024	England U20	5	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 13:27, 27 March 2024 (UTC)

Club career

Reading

Abbey made his debut for Reading on 15 September 2020 as a substitute in a 1–0 EFL Cup defeat to Luton Town.^[3] Abbey signed his first professional contract with Reading on 15 December 2020, until the summer of 2022.^[4]

Olympiacos

On 24 January 2024, Abbey left Reading to sign for Super League Greece club Olympiacos for an undisclosed fee.^[5][6]

Swansea City (loan)

On 23 August 2024, Abbey joined EFL Championship club Swansea City on a season-long loan.^[7]

Abbey made his debut for the club in a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup second round on 28 August 2024.^[8] On 3 January 2025, Abbey was recalled from his loan spell by Olympiacos, having made one appearance for Swansea City.^[9]

Rio Ave (loan)

On 7 January 2025, Abbey joined Primeira Liga club Rio Ave on loan for the remainder of the season.^[10]

International career

Abbey was born in England, but is also of Nigerian and Dutch descent.^[11] He was called up to the England under-17 squad in February 2020.^[12] He has made three appearances for England at under-17 level.^[13]

On 6 October 2023, Abbey was called up to the England U20 team for the first time as a replacement for Reuell Walters.^[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 18 April 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		League cup[b]		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Reading	2020–21[15]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		–		1	0
	2021–22[16]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		–		1	0
	2022–23[17]	Championship	3	0	0	0	0	0	–		–		3	0
	2023–24[18]	League One	22	0	1	0	1	0	–		2[c]	0	26	0
	Total		25	0	1	0	3	0	–		2	0	31	0
Olympiacos	2023–24	Super League Greece	4	0	0	0	–		0	0	–		4	0
Swansea City (loan)	2024–25	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		–		1	0
Rio Ave (loan)	2024–25	Primeira Liga	8	0	2	0	0	0	–		–		10	0
Career total			37	0	3	0	4	0	0	0	2	0	46	0

1. Includes FA Cup, Taça de Portugal
2. Includes EFL Cup
3. Appearances in EFL Trophy