Finn Azaz

Finn Isaac Azaz (born 7 September 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Azaz was a product of the West Bromwich Albion academy and spent the 2020–21 season on loan at Cheltenham Town. He moved to Aston Villa in July 2021 and was immediately loaned out to Newport County for the 2021–22 season. He spent two loan spells with Plymouth Argyle before signing for Middlesbrough in January 2024.

Born in England, Azaz made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland national side in March 2024.

Early and personal life

Born in Westminster, Azaz is of mixed Irish and Israeli heritage.

His family moved to Birmingham when he was 15 months old. He attended Kings Heath Primary School and King Edwards School, where he achieved 9 A*s at GCSE, and 2 A-Levels in French and Business, which he completed as a scholar at West Bromwich Albion. He continued his studies in French and Spanish after his A levels, for his own personal development.

Club career

Azaz joined West Bromwich Albion at the age of 9.

Azaz moved on loan to Cheltenham Town in August 2020. He made his professional debut in September 2020 in an EFL Cup 1–0 win over Peterborough United, and his first professional goal came in the same competition in the same month in a second round 3–1 loss to Championship side Millwall.

On 26 July 2021, Azaz joined Aston Villa and was immediately loaned out to Newport County for the 2021–22 season. He made his Newport debut on 10 August 2021, in a 1–0 EFL Cup victory over Ipswich Town, in which he provided an assist for the winning goal. Azaz scored his first goal for Newport on 24 September 2021 in the 2–1 League Two defeat to Barrow. Azaz was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award for January 2022 after three assists as his side picked up thirteen points from six matches.

At the 2022 EFL Awards, Azaz was awarded the League Two Young Player of the Season award as well as being named in the League Two Team of the Season with teammate Dom Telford.

On 11 July 2022, Azaz signed a contract extension with Aston Villa, and joined Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan. Azaz made his first appearance for Plymouth on 30 July 2022, scoring a debut goal in 1–0 victory over Barnsley. On 25 October, Azaz suffered a "serious" ankle injury during a 2–1 victory over Shrewsbury Town which was expected to keep him sidelined for over two months. Azaz made his return to the Plymouth starting line-up on 21 January 2023 - with two assists in a 4–2 league victory over Cheltenham Town.

On 2 August 2023, Azaz signed another contract extension with Aston Villa and re-joined Plymouth Argyle on another season-long loan. The loan was terminated in January 2024 after Azaz was recalled by Villa.

On 5 January 2024, Azaz signed for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee.

International career

Azaz was called up the Republic of Ireland under-21 side for the first time in September 2022. He made his under-21 debut on 27 September 2022, in a 0–0 draw against Israel in a UEFA Under-21 Championship qualification play off that Ireland lost in a penalty shootout. His first call up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad came in March 2024, ahead of their friendly games against Belgium and Switzerland. He made his senior debut for the country on 26 March 2024, coming off the bench in a 1–0 defeat against Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium.

Career statistics

As of match played on 30 November 2024

As of match played 17 November 2024

Honours

Cheltenham Town

• EFL League Two: 2020–21

Plymouth Argyle

• EFL League One: 2022–23
• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23

Individual

• EFL Young Player of the Month: January 2022
• EFL League Two Young Player of the Season: 2021–22
• EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2021–22