DJ Buffonge

Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge (born 7 November 1998) is an English-Antiguan professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for NAC Breda.[4]

DJ Buffonge
Personal information
Full name Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge[1]
Date of birth (1998-11-07) 7 November 1998
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder[3]
Club information
Current team
 NAC Breda
Number 55
Youth career
Arsenal
2010–2015 Fulham
2015–2019 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Spezia 3 (0)
2020 → Pergolettese (loan) 1 (0)
2020– NAC Breda 6 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:35, 7 November 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Manchester United

Buffonge started in the youth system of Arsenal, prior to making the move across his hometown to Fulham in 2010.[1][5][6] After five years with Fulham, Buffonge was signed by Manchester United's academy on trial ahead of the 2015–16 campaign.[7] After impressing, the central midfielder penned scholar terms on 13 November 2015; despite missing several months with a groin injury.[7] He left United on 30 June 2019 having not featured at first-team level, though did train with the senior squad on occasions.[5][8][9] In the months leading up to his departure, Buffonge had trials with EFL Championship duo Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.[10][11]

Spezia

On 9 August 2019, Buffonge moved abroad to join Italian Serie B side Spezia; penning a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.[2] He made his professional debut on 18 August in the Coppa Italia, replacing Delano Burgzorg after sixty-two minutes of a defeat to Sassuolo of Serie A.[4][12] His first Serie B appearance arrived a week later against Cittadella.[4]

Loan to Pergolettese

On 31 January 2020, he was loaned to Serie C club Pergolettese.[13] He made one league appearance, against Lecco on 9 February, in six months there.[4]

NAC Breda

On 14 August 2020, Buffonge joined Dutch Eerste Divisie side NAC Breda.[14] His debut arrived on 29 August against Jong AZ, having replaced Moreno Rutten after eighty-five minutes of a 6–1 victory.[4] He scored his first senior goal whilst with the club, netting in a 4–1 win away to MVV Maastricht on 6 November.[4]

International career

Buffonge is eligible for England and Antigua and Barbuda. In February 2017, Buffonge was selected by Antigua and Barbuda for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica.[15][16] However, Buffonge didn't appear at the tournament after being replaced by Ajani Thomas.[17]

Personal life

Buffonge's brother, Dajour, is also a footballer; he played internationally for Montserrat.[18]

Career statistics
As of 7 November 2020.[4]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Spezia 2019–20 Serie B 3010——0040
Pergolettese (loan) 2019–20 Serie C 1000——0010
NAC Breda 2020–21 Eerste Divisie 6100——0061
Career total 10110——00111

    References
    1. "DJ Buffonge – Man Utd Reserves Player Profile – U23". Manchester United. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    2. "Mercato: Darren Raekwon Buffonge firma per le Aquile". Spezia. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    3. "DJ Buffonge". World Football. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    4. "Antigua and Barbuda – D. McIntosh-Buffonge". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    5. "Who is DJ Buffonge? Manchester United youngster profiled ahead of Bournemouth fixture". Manchester Evening News. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    6. "DJ Buffonge: The Manchester United Prospect with More Than a Name to Remember". Bleacher Report. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    7. "Who is DJ Buffonge? We profile Man Utd's latest signing". Sky Sports. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    8. "Where did it go wrong for DJ Buffonge?". The Republik of Mancunia. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    9. "2018/19 Premier League clubs publish released lists". Premier League. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    10. "Man Utd pair DJ Buffonge and Tyler Warren trialling with Bolton". Tribal Football. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    11. "Manchester United midfielder who had Derby County trial links up with fellow Championship club". Derby Telegraph. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    12. "17' Min". Spezia. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
    13. "IN ARRIVO LUCA MOSTI E DARREN BUFFONGE" (Press release) (in Italian). Pergolettese. 31 January 2020.
    14. "DJ BUFFONGE TEKENT CONTRACT VOOR TWEE JAAR BIJ NAC" (Press release) (in Dutch). NAC Breda. 14 August 2020.
    15. "ABFA Announces Squad for CONCACAF U20 Championships". ABFA. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    16. "Under-20 footballers depart for historic CONCACAF finals". Antigua Observer. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    17. "Antigua and Barbuda Men's U20 Football Team in Final Preparation Mode for CONCACAF Opener". ABFA. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
    18. "DJ Buffonge – Spezia". Football Database. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
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