Who is Noah Anyadike? Cardiff City defender becomes youngest EFL Cup debutant
The teenager started the game against Norwich.
Noah Anyadike made history as the youngest player in EFL Cup history after starting Cardiff City’s 2-1 second-round loss to Norwich City.
Following an injury predicament, Wales youth international Anyadike made his debut at 15 years and 98 days old. His start broke the previous record set by Harvey Elliot, who played for Fulham against Millwall in 2018 at 15 years and 174 days old.
Anyadike might make his EFL Championship debut on Saturday, when Cardiff play Sheffield United.
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Who is Noah Anyadike?
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Noah Anyadike, a 15-year-old Welsh professional footballer, plays centre-back for Cardiff City FC. He made headlines for becoming the youngest player in EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) history.
He gained first-team attention during the summer preseason, most notably as a substitute in a 4-1 victory over Roma.
During a defence injury crisis on August 25, 2026, manager Brian Barry-Murphy gave Anyadike his senior debut. He played as a centre-back in Cardiff’s 2-1 EFL Cup second-round defeat to Norwich City.
Because he is still in school, Cardiff’s coaching staff intends to carefully manage and preserve his transition into senior-level football while he awaits his EFL Championship debut.
Noah Anyadike’s playing style
Despite still being in school, team personnel notice that he is “very big for his age” and has the physical characteristics needed to overcome senior football difficulties.
While he is generally a centre-back who dominates the backline, he has also demonstrated the ability to play wide.
Because he is just 15 years old, his biggest issue is adjusting to the severe physical demands of senior competitive football.
Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy said Anyadike is “making exceptional strides” and is definitely “the best option for this game based on how well he’s done” in the academy.
How old is Noah Anyadike?
Noah Anyadike is 15 years old, making his debut at 15 years and 98 days to become the youngest player in EFL Cup history.
Which position does Noah Anyadike play?
He plays as a centre‑back for Cardiff City, though he has also shown the ability to play wide when needed.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.