Cardiff's Anyadike, 15, sets new EFL Cup record as youngest player

What the report says

Cardiff City defender Noah Anyadike has become the youngest player in EFL Cup history after starting the club’s second-round defeat by Norwich City. BBC Sport Football reported that the 15-year-old, who is 15 years and 98 days old, was selected because Cardiff were short of senior centre-back options amid an injury crisis. The previous EFL Cup record was held by Harvey Elliott, who played for Fulham at 15 years and 174 days in 2019.

Anyadike also set a new Cardiff City record as the youngest player to appear for the club. He is from Carmarthenshire and made his debut at Cardiff City Stadium, where the club was playing its second season when he was born. His night ended early when he went off with muscle cramp in the second half.

Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said the debut was well deserved and praised the teenager’s progress, adding that the club wants to protect, educate and challenge him as he develops. The report notes that Anyadike is the third player in under a year to become Cardiff’s youngest player, reflecting how the club has recently given opportunities to very young footballers.

For context, BBC Sport Football said Anyadike is not the youngest player in English Football League history overall; that record remains with Reuben Noble-Lazarus, who debuted for Rochdale in 2008. Anyadike may also be in line for a Championship debut when Cardiff face Sheffield United.