William Rupert James Donkin (, born 26 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger. Born in England, he represents the Chinese Taipei national team.
Career Donkin was born in Oxford to an English father and a Taiwanese mother. He lived in Amsterdam at a young age. He went to school at Eton College and played for the school Association 1st XI at the age of only fifteen. During his time at Eton he represented England Independent Schools (ISFA) at Under-14, Under-15 and Under-16 level.
At the age of nine he was scouted by Barnet's academy, before signing for Chelsea at the age of eleven. He played for the Chelsea Academy for five years, winning numerous honours including the Premier League Under-15 International Tournament where he scored in the final during a 2–1 victory over Manchester City.Youth Development Phase 2015/16 roll of honour . 7 July 2015. Premier League.
In March 2017, he was signed by Crystal Palace to play in their Under-18 team, where he helped the side win the southern league in his first season. On 28 September 2019, he signed for Stabæk Fotball in the Norwegian Eliteserien, although he was ineligible to play for the first team until 1 January 2020.Henter spiller med fortid i Chelsea og Crystal Palace Stabæk Fotball (in Norwegian). 26 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
In September 2020, Donkin joined Maltese Premier League side Balzan on a one-year deal. After making only three substitute appearances for Balzan, Donkin was loaned to fellow Maltese Premier League side Mosta until the end of the season. On 6 March 2021, Donkin scored his first professional goal in a 5–1 victory over Senglea Athletic.
On 31 August 2022, Donkin completed a move to Chinese Super League side Shenzhen FC. The club was dissolved in January 2024.
On 12 February 2024, Donkin joined fellow Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.
On 17 July 2025, Donkin transferred to another Chinese Super League club Wuhan Three Towns. On 5 January 2026, the club announced his departure after the 2025 season.
International career Youth
On 7 October 2018, he was named in the under-19 side for the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship. He played every minute of Chinese Taipei's campaign at the tournament, which ended with them eliminated in last place in their group.
Senior
In October 2017 it emerged that Taiwan head coach Gary White was seeking European based players with Taiwanese heritage to represent the team, having also called up Ross County midfielder Tim Chow.British soccer player of Taiwanese descent to join national team Focus Taiwan. 31 October 2017. Accessed 15 November 2017. In November, it was announced that Donkin had also been called up after impressing for the national under-19 team during training.Crystal Palace Under-18 Will Donkin to join Taiwan national football team Taiwan News. 3 November 2017. Accessed 15 November 2017.U18s Midfielder Donkin Gets Full International Call-Up CPFC.co.uk. 7 November 2017. Accessed 15 November 2017. He made his debut at the age of 16 as an 85th-minute substitute Congratulations to 16-year-old #CPFC Academy player Will Donkin on making his senior debut for Chinese Taipei today! @CPFC but could not prevent Taiwan from being eliminated from Asian Cup qualification at the hands of Turkmenistan. He returned to the national team in December for the 2017 CTFA International Tournament, earning plaudits as he appeared from the bench in all 3 games, overall assisting 2 goals and hitting the crossbar in his performances.
In November 2018, he was named in the Chinese Taipei side for the 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship second round.
Taiwanese fans have nicknamed Donkin "Doughtnut Boy" due to how his surname translates into Mandarin.
Career statistics
Club appearances .
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStabæk2020Eliteserien00---00Balzan2020-21Maltese Premier League3000--30Mosta (Loan)2020-21Maltese Premier League5100--51Mosta2021-22Maltese Premier League2752320-318Shenzhen FC2022Chinese Super League3000--30 Career total386232000429 Notes
International appearances
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsChinese Taipei201740201870201980Total180
Honours Shanghai Port Chinese Super League: 2024, 2025 Chinese FA Cup: 2024
References
External links