Nico Lawrence Explained

Nico Lawrence (born 22 November 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Milton Keynes Dons, on loan from club Southampton.^[2]

Career

Early career

Growing up, Lawrence had spells with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Sutton United.^[3] He later joined London-based Kinetic Academy and combined that with playing for Southern Counties East Football League side Glebe.^[4] He made six league appearances for Glebe.^[5]

Southampton

In February 2022, he joined Premier League club Southampton on an 18-month contract following a successful trial.^[6] In January 2023, he extended his contract with Southampton until June 2025 and joined National League side Torquay United on loan.^[7] At Torquay, he won the Young Player of the Year award.^[8]

He joined Colchester United on loan in June 2023.^[9] On 9 August 2023, he made his professional debut as a half-time substitute in the EFL Cup match against Cardiff City.^[10] During a 3–0 victory against Gillingham, Lawrence suffered ankle ligament damage and was expected to be sidelined for several months.^{[11] [12]} On 25 January 2024, he was recalled back to Southampton from loan.^[13] On 18 April 2024, Lawrence signed a new two-year contract.^[14]

On 2 August 2024, Lawrence joined Milton Keynes Dons on a season-long loan.^{[15] [16]} He made his debut for the club on 10 August 2024 in a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford City.^[17]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Glebe	2021–22	Southern Counties East	6	1	0	0	—		—		6	1
Southampton	2022–23	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2023–24	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2024–25	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Torquay United (loan)	2022–23	National League	20	0	—		—		—		20	0
Colchester United (loan)	2023–24	League Two	4	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	5	0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)	2024–25	League Two	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Career total			31	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	32	1

Honours

• Torquay United Young Player of the Season: 2022–23^[18]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Club profile: Nico Lawrence . Colchester United F.C. . 25 January 2024.
2. Web site: England - N. Lawrence - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. uk.soccerway.com.
3. Web site: Nico Lawrence. Southampton. 11 August 2023.
4. Web site: Nico Lawrence signs for Southampton. kinetic-foundation.org.uk. 21 February 2023. 11 August 2023.
5. Web site: Glebe defender signs for Southampton. Southern Counties East Football League. 11 February 2022. 11 August 2023.
6. Web site: Southampton announce signing of centre-back Nico Lawrence. dailyecho.co.uk. 11 February 2022. 11 August 2023.
7. Web site: Nico Lawrence signs new deal and departs on loan. Southampton. 12 January 2023. 11 August 2023.
8. Web site: Saints defender wins young player of the year award just months into loan. 16 April 2023. Daily Echo.
9. Web site: Southampton's Lawrence joins Colchester on loan. BBC Sport. 26 June 2024. 6 August 2023.
10. Web site: Cardiff City 2-2 Colchester United. BBC. 9 August 2023. 11 August 2023.
11. Web site: Waldron . Jonathan . 31 August 2023 . Colchester United defender Nico Lawrence out with injury . 3 September 2023 . The Daily Gazette.
12. Web site: 31 August 2023 . Nico Lawrence: Colchester United defender out for months with ankle injury . 3 September 2023 . BBC Sport.
13. Web site: 25 January 2024 . Nico Lawrence recalled from loan . 25 January 2024 . Southampton FC.
14. Web site: 18 April 2024 . Nico Lawrence signs contract extension . 18 April 2024 . Southampton FC.
15. Web site: 2 August 2024 . Lawrence heads to MK Dons on loan . 2 August 2024 . Southampton FC.
16. Web site: Nico Lawrence: Southampton defender joins MK Dons on loan. 2 August 2024. BBC Sport.
17. Web site: 10 August 2024 . Milton Keynes Dons 1–2 Bradford City . 10 August 2024 . BBC.
18. Web site: Loan Watch: Lawrence wins Young Player of the Season at Torquay . . 2 August 2024 .