Nelson Abbey

Nelson Abbey
Personal information
Full name Nelson Ighodaro Abbey
Date of birth (2003-08-28) 28 August 2003 (age 23)
Place of birth Reading, England
Position Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Rio Ave
Number 6
Youth career
–2020 Reading
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2024 Reading 25 (0)
2024–2025 Olympiacos 5 (0)
2024 → Swansea City (loan) 0 (0)
2025 → Rio Ave (loan) 8 (0)
2025– Rio Ave 30 (0)
International career‡
2020 England U17 3 (0)
2023–2024 England U20 5 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 September 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 13:27, 27 March 2024 (UTC)

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

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. Abbey signed his first professional contract with Reading on 15 December 2020, until the summer of 2022.

Olympiacos

On 24 January 2024, Abbey left Reading to sign for Super League Greece club Olympiacos for an undisclosed fee. At the club, Nelson was part of the 2023/24 UEFA Conference League winning side in which the club was able to win in a 1-0 Victory.

Swansea City (loan)

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

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. On 3 January 2025, Abbey was recalled from his loan spell by Olympiacos, having made one appearance for Swansea City.

Rio Ave (loan - to buy)

On 7 January 2025, Abbey joined Primeira Liga club Rio Ave on loan for the remainder of the season. With the deal being permanent the following season.

International career

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

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

Career statistics

As of match played 14 September 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Reading 2020–21 Championship 000010––10
2021–22 Championship 000010––10
2022–23 Championship 300000––30
2023–24 League One 2201010–20260
Total 2501030–20310
Olympiacos 2023–24 Super League Greece 4000–00–50
Swansea City (loan) 2024–25 Championship 000010––10
Rio Ave (loan) 2024–25 Primeira Liga 802000––100
Rio Ave 2025–26 Primeira Liga 2601000––270
2026–27 Primeira Liga 400000––40
Total 3001000––310
Career total 67040400020770
  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup, Taça de Portugal
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Reading" (PDF). English Football League. 11 September 2020. p. 58. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Swansea City: Nelson Abbey joins Rio Ave after loan cut short". BBC Sport. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  3. ↑ Low, Jonathan (16 September 2020). "Paunovic defends team selection as Reading bow out of Carabao Cup". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. ↑ "Nelson Abbey signs professional contract". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "NELSON ABBEY JOINS OLYMPIACOS". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Ο Νέλσον Άμπι στον Ολυμπιακό". olympiacos.org (in Greek). Olympiacos F.C. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Swansea City complete loan signing of Nelson Abbey | Swansea". www.swanseacity.com. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "Swansea City vs Wycombe Wanderers: League Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  9. ↑ "Nelson Abbey recalled from Swansea City loan spell | Swansea". www.swanseacity.com. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Nelson Abbey reforça defesa do Rio Ave FC" [Nelson Abbey strengthens Rio Ave FC's defense]. rioavefc.pt (in Portuguese). 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "2003-Born Center Back Eligible For Nigeria, England, Netherlands, Signs New Reading Deal :: All Nigeria Soccer - The Complete Nigerian Football Portal". www.allnigeriasoccer.com.
  12. ↑ "Three young Royals receive England U17 call-ups". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  13. ↑ Nelson Abbey at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "England squad named for Elite League openers". englandfootball.com. England Football. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Games played by Nelson Abbey in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  16. ↑ "Games played by Nelson Abbey in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  17. ↑ "Games played by Nelson Abbey in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Games played by Nelson Abbey in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 October 2023.