Harry Jack Darling (born 8 August 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Norwich City.
Career
Cambridge United Darling joined Cambridge United at the age of 12, but left a year later. After being spotted again playing for Newmarket Town's youth team, he rejoined the club in 2015. Darling joined the first team for pre-season ahead of the 2016–17 campaign. He signed his first professional contract with the club in October 2016. and on 8 November 2016, he made his debut in a 2–0 EFL Trophy defeat to Scunthorpe United. He signed for Bishop's Stortford on a one-month loan in January 2017.
On 8 August 2017, Darling started in a 4–1 EFL Cup defeat at Bristol Rovers, and extended his contract with the club until 2021 shortly after. Darling joined Hampton & Richmond Borough on a month-long loan on 9 September 2017, and later joined Royston Town on loan in November 2017. He made his full league debut for the club on 13 January 2018 in a 0–0 draw against Mansfield Town. Darling joined East Thurrock United on a one-month loan in March 2018, having made 5 appearances for Cambridge so far in the 2017–18 season.
On 17 August 2019, he scored his first professional goal, an 86th-minute winner against Colchester United.
Milton Keynes Dons On 22 January 2021, Darling joined EFL League One club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee, and made his debut four days later in a 0–1 home defeat to Charlton Athletic. He was named MK Dons' Young Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season having made 21 appearances.
On 31 August 2021, whilst captaining the side, Darling scored his first goal for the club, on his 100th start as a professional, in a 2–1 EFL Trophy group stage win away over Burton Albion. He scored his first league goal on 27 November 2021, in a 4–0 away win over Morecambe.
After an impressive first full season at the club in which he scored 10 goals in all competitions from centre-back, Darling was named in both the EFL League One Team of the Season and PFA Team of the Year for 2021–22 alongside teammate Scott Twine.
Swansea City On 18 June 2022, Darling signed for EFL Championship club Swansea City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with former coach Russell Martin. On 16 June 2025, Swansea City announced Darling had left the club after his contract expired.
Norwich City On 16 June 2025, Darling signed for fellow EFL Championship club Norwich City on a three-year deal with an option of an additional year upon his Swansea City contract expiring on 30 June. On 16th August 2025, Darling scored his first goal for the club with a header away at Portsmouth.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCambridge United2016–17League Two00000010102017–18League Two30001010502018–19League Two1200010401702019–20League Two2421020303022020–21League Two160000041201Total5521040131733Bishops Stortford (loan)2016–17National League South20———20Hampton & Richmond (loan)2017–18National League South20———20Royston Town (loan)2017–18Southern Premier80——21101East Thurrock United (loan)2017–18National League South50———50Milton Keynes Dons2020–21League One230——002302021–22League One4172210514910Total6472210517210Swansea City2022–23Championship3141010—3342023–24Championship3830020—4032024–25Championship3950000—395Total1081210300011212Norwich City2025–26Championship3511020—3812026–27Championship000010—10Total351103000391Career total279225211020331527
Honours Cambridge United EFL League Two runners-up: 2020–21
Individual EFL League One Team of the Season: 2021–22 PFA Team of the Year: 2021–22 League One Milton Keynes Dons Players' Player of the Year: 2021–22 Milton Keynes Dons Young Player of the Year: 2020–21
References
External links