Luke Ayling (born 25 August 1991, age 34) is an English right-back with Middlesbrough, where he wears the number 12 shirt. He has made a long career out of being reliable, durable and useful rather than fashionable, which is not the worst description for a full-back who keeps getting picked.
His most productive league season came at Bristol City in 2014-2015, when he scored four goals in 46 appearances. That campaign remains the outlier in attacking terms, but it also fits the broader pattern of his career: regular football, heavy minutes and a role built more on consistency than decoration.
At Middlesbrough he was still a regular first-team presence in 2025-2026, making 43 Championship appearances and scoring once, along with one FA Cup appearance and three in the Championship play-offs. Across all competitions for the club that season, he made 47 appearances and scored one goal.
At this stage, Transfermarkt values him at around ยฃ298,000. Aylingโs career has been that of an experienced English Championship defender who has continued to hold down a place well into his thirties.
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