Where is former Derby County and Wigan Athletic man Nathan Byrne now?
11/19/2024 11:36 AM
Derby County and Wigan Athletic were among the clubs to have Nathan Byrne on their books during his time in the EFL.
Derby County and Wigan Athletic were the last two clubs Nathan Byrne played for on English shores.
He started out in the Tottenham Hotspur academy and made a name for himself in EFL loans with Brentford, Bournemouth, Crawley Town and Swindon Town before joining the latter permanently. The full-back would move from the Robins to Wolves but less than a year later, he moved to the Latics.
At the DW Stadium, Byrne cemented himself as a reliable right-back in both the Championship and League One. Also playing as a wing-back, he chipped in with a goal and 19 assists in 136 games for Wigan Athletic – the most appearances he has made for a single club in his career.
Financial problems saw Byrne leave the Latics for Derby County in 2020 and two years later, he would be on the move in similar circumstances. That wasn’t before he could play 82 times for the Rams though, managing six assists and further proving himself as a reliable Championship player before his exit.
Where is Nathan Byrne now?
As Derby County battled administration, they saw a number of first-team players and prospects snapped up by opportunistic teams. MLS outfit Charlotte would pounce to sign Byrne, bringing an end to his time at Pride Park after two seasons.
And, since then, the right-sided defender has been a mainstay over in the United States.
The past two years have seen Byrne play 79 times across all competitions. He has managed three assists in the process and helped Charlotte to the MLS play-offs in the 2024 campaign, though they were eliminated by Orlando City earlier this month.
Byrne, now 32, is under contract at the club until December 2026.
A successful U.S. adventure
The expansion of the MLS over the years has seen players from the EFL forge successful careers Stateside and following his spells with Derby County and Wigan Athletic, Byrne has been a solid performer for Charlotte too.
It will be interesting to see whether he sees out his playing days in America or if he returns for a last dance in England after success in the Championship and League One.
There could certainly be sides interested if he turns his focus to a UK return, but the appeal of staying in the States could be strong as he continues to play a prevalent role for Charlotte.
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