Danny Ings

Daniel William John Ings (born 23 July 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club West Ham United.

Ings started his career in the youth team of Southampton but was released as a schoolboy.

He subsequently joined AFC Bournemouth, progressing through their youth system, while also spending time at Dorchester Town on loan.

He signed a two-year apprentice contract with AFC Bournemouth in May 2008, having progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence while he was still at secondary school at Hamble Community Sports College.

He had also previously had experience playing for the reserve team.

He made his professional debut for Bournemouth on 6 October 2009, in a 2–1 away defeat to Northampton Town in the Football League Trophy, replacing Jason Tindall in the second half as a substitute.

His second season in the youth team was blighted by a long-term abdominal injury, which restricted his playing time.

He remained with the youth team until the summer of 2010, when he signed a short-term three-month contract.

He extended his contract in September 2010, until the end of the 2010–11 campaign.

In September 2010, he was sent on an initial one-month loan to Conference South club Dorchester Town.

His debut for the Magpies came on 11 September 2010, scoring the equaliser in a 2–1 home defeat to Ebbsfleet United.

His second goal for Dorchester came on 24 September, scoring a penalty in a 4–1 win over Mangotsfield United in the FA Cup.

On 6 October, his loan was extended for a further month.

His next goal came in a 4–1 defeat to Havant & Waterlooville as the Magpies were knocked out of the FA Cup.

On 16 October, he scored the second in a 2–0 league win over Lewes, after coming on as a late substitute for Giuseppe Sole.

He got his fifth goal in a 2–1 away win over Staines Town, scoring the opener.

His first goal in November came in a 2–1 home defeat to Maidenhead United, which ended an unbeaten run of six matches.

On 12 November 2010, his loan was extended for a third time for an additional month.

He scored the second in a 3–1 win over Weston-super-Mare in the FA Trophy to help them progress to the next round.

On 23 November, his spell at Dorchester was cut short as he was recalled from his loan by Bournemouth due to an injury crisis at the club.

He made his league debut and first start for Bournemouth on 28 December 2010, in a 2–0 away defeat to Milton Keynes Dons in League One, where he was substituted off in the first half for Steve Fletcher.

In 2011, Ings joined Burnley with whom he won the 2013–14 Championship Player of the Year, and helped them achieve promotion to the Premier League.

He started to become a first-team regular and scored his first professional goal against Swindon Town on 1 February 2011, in a 3–2 win at Dean Court.

On 26 February 2011, he scored a header to equalise in 2–1 win away at Dagenham & Redbridge in the league.

On 1 April he added to his tally with a goal against Peterborough United in a 3–3 draw.

He went through a rich vein of goalscoring from in April, scoring four goals in three matches.

He scored an overhead kick to equalise in the last minute against Tranmere Rovers, however, the Cherries went on to lose the match 2–1.

He also scored in a 2–0 away victory over Notts County.

On 30 November, he signed a new contract extension which lasted until 2012.

His form saw him rewarded with a new contract extension, lasting until 2013.

Following Burnley's relegation, and the expiry of his contract with the club, Ings moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2015, but his first season at the club was ended after two months due to injury.

Formerly an under-21 international, Ings made his senior debut for England in October 2015.

Ings was born in Winchester, Hampshire and grew up in Netley, Hampshire.

As a child he attended Netley Abbey Primary School, Hamble Community Sports College and Brockenhurst College.

Ings dreamed of playing for local club Southampton, but was rejected for being too small.

He signed for Southampton from Netley Central Sports, before being released as a school boy.

After his release, Ings played for Itchen Tyro.

His second season with Liverpool was also marred by injury, with Ings only making two appearances throughout the 2016–17 season.

Ings joined Southampton on loan in August 2018, before the move was made permanent in July 2019.

He moved to Aston Villa in 2021 and subsequently to West Ham United in January 2023.