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Nathan Aké

Nathan Aké is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender, usually at centre-back or left-back, for Manchester City and the Netherlands national team.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nathan Aké is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender, usually at centre-back or left-back, for Manchester City and the Netherlands national team. Born in The Hague in 1995, he developed in the Netherlands and at Chelsea before establishing himself in the Premier League with Bournemouth and Manchester City.

Early life and youth career

Aké was born in The Hague on 18 February 1995. He developed as a youth player in the Netherlands before joining Chelsea’s academy system. His early development included time at Dutch clubs prior to his move to England.

Club career

Aké made his senior breakthrough at Chelsea and later had loan spells at Reading and Watford. He moved to AFC Bournemouth on a permanent basis before signing for Manchester City on 5 August 2020 in a reported £41 million transfer.

International career

Aké made his senior debut for the Netherlands in 2017. He has since been part of the national team setup as a defender, contributing in major international and qualifying matches.

Style of play

Aké is a versatile defender, typically used as a centre-back but also capable of playing at left-back. He is left-footed and valued for his positional flexibility.

Key facts

  • Nathan Aké is a Dutch international footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back and can also play left-back.
  • He joined Manchester City on 5 August 2020 in a reported £41 million transfer.
  • Before Manchester City, he played for Chelsea, Reading, Watford and AFC Bournemouth.
  • He was born in The Hague on 18 February 1995.
  • He has represented the Netherlands at senior international level since 2017.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nathan Aké?
Nathan Aké is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City and the Netherlands national team.
What position does Nathan Aké play?
He primarily plays as a centre-back, but he can also operate as a left-back.
When was Nathan Aké born?
He was born on 18 February 1995.
Which club does Nathan Aké play for?
He plays for Manchester City.
What is Nathan Aké’s nationality?
He is Dutch.

References

  1. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/soccer/player/bio/_/id/159248/nathan-ake
    Supports: Birthdate, nationality, position, club history, height/weight
  2. Transfermarkthttps://www.transfermarkt.com/nathan-ake/profil/spieler/177476
    Supports: Full name, date/place of birth, position, current club, transfer and contract details
  3. Manchester Cityhttps://www.mancity.com/news/mens/nathan-ake-10-facts-63732737
    Supports: Manchester City signing context and player background
  4. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Ak%C3%A9
    Supports: Manchester City transfer date and fee, general career outline
  5. Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1755683
    Supports: Birth name, date/place of birth, occupation, playing position