Matt Dibley-Dias
Personal information
Full name Matthew Max Dibley-Dias
Date of birth (2003-10-29) 29 October 2003
Place of birth Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
Fulham
Number 49
Youth career
2008–2011 West Ham United
2011–2016 Brentford
2016– Fulham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Fulham 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:16, 2 November 2023 (UTC)

Matthew Max Dibley-Dias (born 29 October 2003) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Fulham.

Early life and family

Dibley-Dias was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand to a Brazilian father and a New Zealand mother. He moved to England with his family at a young age.[2][3] He is the grandson of Brazilian footballer Manoelzinho,[4] and is eligible to represent Portugal and Brazil internationally through his father.[5][6]

Career

Dibley-Dias has been described as "in strong form for Fulham’s U-21 side and as "being touted as a first-team player in waiting".[7] He mainly operates as a midfielder and is known for his long-shooting ability.[8][2]

He joined the youth academy of English Premier League side Fulham at the age of fourteen,[9] and signed a three-year professional contract with the club in September 2021.[2] In 2023 he signed a contract extension to 2027.[10] He received the Johnny Haynes academy player of the year award for the 2022/23 season.[11] He has appeared on Fulham's bench twice, at the end of their 2022–23 Premier League season and for their 2023–24 season opener.[5]

He accepted a call-up to play in friendly matches on behalf of the All Whites in October 2023, but was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.[5][12] All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said the injury was a "real shame".[12] The New Zealand Herald noted that Dibley-Dias "has been pursued by Bazeley and New Zealand Football for a long time".[13] He had previously rejected an offer to play for New Zealand at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup due to opportunities with Fulham.[10]

References

  1. "Matt Dibley-Dias". Fulham F.C. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kiwi midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias signs pro football contract for English club Fulham". Stuff. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. Robinson, Nick (29 September 2023). "Squad Yarns & Preview". The Niche Cache. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  4. "Matt Dibley-Dias: The Story So Far". Fulham FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 Voerman, Andrew (22 September 2023). "All Whites secure promising Fulham midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias for October friendlies". Stuff. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  6. Braga, Thiago (18 April 2021). "Neto de ex-jogador do Corinthians brilha na Inglaterra; seleções já sondam". UOL. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. "Dibley-Dias on verge of breaking into English Premier League". Friends of Football NZ. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. "Silva's faith in Fulham's future". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023.
  9. Vegas, Paul (9 September 2023). "Matt Dibley-Dias delighted penning new deal". Tribal Football. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Voerman, Andrew (17 September 2023). "Darren Bazeley eager to meet dual-national prospects around All Whites match in London". The Post. Wellington. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. "Bazeley confirms Fulham teenager will join All Whites for October internationals". Friends of Football. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  12. 1 2 Rollo, Phillip (12 October 2023). "Fulham teenager Matt Dibley-Dias ruled out of All Whites matches". Stuff. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  13. "Teenage Premier League midfielder included in All Whites squad for first time, Sarpreet Singh also returns for October games". The New Zealand Herald. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
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