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Jason Grégory Marianne Denayer (born 28 June 1995) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Süper Lig club Galatasaray S.K. on loan from Premier League club Manchester City F.C..
He made his professional debut while on loan at Celtic F.C., being named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year after helping them win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup. He then spent the following season on loan at Galatasaray S.K., helping them win the Turkish Cup.
He played several times for Belgium at Under-19 and Under-21 levels, before making his full senior debut in March 2015. He was named in Belgium's 23-man squad for Euro 2016 and made one appearance, playing in their quarter-final tie against Wales.
Born in Jette, Brussels, Belgium, to a Congolese mother and Belgian father, Denayer started playing football at age six, where he started out at FC Ganshoren and then Anderlecht. At the age of 13, he joined the JMG Academy in Lier. It was there he was converted from playing as a striker to becoming a defender. Denayer credits his time at JMG for honing his football technique. Youths at the academy do not play normal competition football, instead taking part in small-sided games among each other, focusing on technique and education in a private school. They trained in bare feet to improve their touch; "It helps to develop your technical skills. Once you've reached a certain level, you're allowed to put on shoes. From then on the training is focused on technique and playing in small spaces" explained Denayer. He described the regime as "tough", adding "Your day started at 7 am and ended at 10:30 pm. In between you had 90 minutes - just before bedtime - to call your friends or family. It was playing football, studying, eat, sleep".
In 2013, Lierse, who are in partnership with the JMG Academy, attempted to sign Denayer. However, he rejected their offer and instead moved abroad to England to try and find a club. He had a trial at Liverpool F.C., but club and player failed to reach an agreement. He then went for a trial at Manchester City F.C..
In July 2013 Denayer joined the Manchester City F.C. academy. In the summer transfer window, Denayer signed his first professional contract at Manchester City F.C. after a successful trial. Denayer was ever present for the club's campaign in the UEFA Youth League, where he made eight appearances, scoring once in a 6-0 win over Bayern München. Denayer also played a huge role in domestic competitions where he helped the club finish fourth in the Professional U21 Development League, as well as reaching the final of the U21 Premier League Cup. In pre-season during July 2014, Denayer was included in the first team and started in a 2-0 friendly loss away against Dundee. On 10 July 2015, it was confirmed that he would be in the club's squad for their pre-season tour in Australia. Denayer signed a new five-year deal on 13 July 2015
In August 2015, Galatasaray S.K. signed Denayer on a season-long loan from Manchester City F.C.. Denayer played his first game for Galatasaray S.K. on 15 September 2015, in a UEFA Champions League tie against Atlético De Madrid. Despite a 2-0 defeat, the Belgium defender turned in an impressive performance. He then made his league debut on 19 September in match away against Trabzonspor, playing on the right side of defence, helping his new side keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory. Denayer continued to display his natural attributes of pace and power, whilst also improving his reading of the game. Two assists for goals against Eskisehirspor and Gaziantepspor also highlighted his ability to contribute to the attacking side of the game.
His last match for Galatasaray S.K. was in the Turkish Cup Final against Fenerbahçe SK on 26 May 2016. Denayer provided the assist for the only goal of the game on 30 minutes; a flick on from Emre Çolak's corner on to Lukas Podolski who headed in from close range.
On 31 August 2016, Denayer joined Premier League side Sunderland A.F.C. on a season-long loan deal. However, Sunderland A.F.C. were poor and ended up being relegated. Denayer struggled to perform consistently and was often fielded in midfield instead of his natural position as a defender. He was also hindered by a series of niggling injuries towards the end of the season.
On 31 August 2017, Denayer re-signed for Galatasaray S.K. on a season-long loan deal. In a 2-0 win over Osmanlispor on 28 January 2018, Denayer completed 60 successful passes, overtaking the previous pass completion record in Süper Lig set by Atiba Hutchinson of Besiktas J.K. in season 2014-15.
From 2013 on, Denayer represented Belgium at different levels, such as Belgium U19 and Belgium U21.
On 2 October 2014, national team manager Marc Wilmots called him for the first time to the Belgian national team for their Euro 2016 qualification match against Andorra. Denayer was included in further international squads for Euro qualifier matches against Bosnia and Wales and for a friendly against Iceland. However, he was an unused substitute in each of these four games.
Denayer made his senior international debut for Belgium on 31 March 2015 in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier away to Israel at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. He replaced Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke in the 67th minute of a 1-0 win which put Belgium at the top of the group. Denayer made his first start for the senior side on 7 June 2015, in a friendly match against France in Paris which Belgium won 4-3. Manager Marc Wilmots praised Denayer for his performance, comparing his calm confident manner to that of international team-mate Eden Hazard. Wilmots substituted Denayer late on in the match for a minor knock sustained, and pointed out that it was after this that France scored twice to pull the game back to 4-3.
