Ashley Darel Jazz Richards (born 12 April 1991) is a Welsh

Welsh people

The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...

 professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder

Midfielder

A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...

 for Swansea City

Swansea City A.F.C.

Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...

.

Club career

Richards made his professional debut for Swansea City

Swansea City A.F.C.

Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...

 in a Championship

Football League Championship

The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...

 match against Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough F.C.

Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

 in the 3–0 loss on 15 August 2009, replacing Shaun MacDonald

Shaun MacDonald

Shaun Benjamin MacDonald is a Welsh professional footballer who currently plays for League One side Bournemouth...

 as a substitute in the 63rd minute. He has since started in games against Preston North End and Bristol City playing 90 minutes in both fixtures. He was rewarded as the second successful youth product after Joe Allen with with a new contract on 27 October.

International career

Richards has represented Wales under-17

Wales national under-17 football team

The Wales national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales.-Current squad:...

 and Wales under-19

Wales national under-19 football team

The Wales national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship held every year.-Recent history:...

. He was called up to the under-21

Wales national under-21 football team

The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...

 squad, to face Luxembourg under-21

Luxembourg national under-21 football team

The Luxembourg national under-21 football team is the national representative under-21 football team of Luxembourg. Controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation , the team feeds into Luxembourg's full national team....

 in March 2009.

External links

• Ashley Richards profile at swanseacity.net