Benjamin David Sheaf (born 5 February 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Wrexham. He has represented England at youth level.

Club career

Arsenal

Sheaf with Arsenal U21 in 2015.

Sheaf started his youth career with the reserves of West Ham United at the age of 13, before joining the Arsenal youth setup on 2 July 2014. He earned the praise of senior team manager Arsène Wenger who said that Sheaf was "always ahead of the game". He scored his first goal for the Arsenal U19 in a 3–2 victory over Greek club Olympiacos on 29 September 2015, where he found the net in the 41st minute from the penalty spot.

In October 2015, Sheaf was invited to train with the first team, and days later he was an unused substitute in the club's 3–0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday. He stated that, although the result was not satisfactory, the experience of being involved in the first-team was good for him as he got to "see how things are done". He made his first-team debut for Arsenal on 19 October 2017, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Francis Coquelin in a 1–0 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League.

Loan to Stevenage

Sheaf joined League Two side Stevenage on loan on 26 January 2018, joining the Hertfordshire club on a deal until the end of the 2017–18 season. He made his debut in a 2–0 loss against Notts County in League Two on 24 February. He made 10 appearances for the side by the end of the loan spell.

Loan to Doncaster Rovers

Sheaf joined League One side Doncaster Rovers on loan on 12 July 2019, joining the League One side for six months. He made his debut and was named in the starting line-up in a 1–1 draw against Gillingham on 3 August. His loan deal was extended until the end of the 2019–20 season on 7 January 2020. On 15 February 2020, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat against Gillingham in the reverse fixture. At the end, Sheaf played 38 games in all competitions for the side.

Coventry City

On 4 September 2020, Sheaf joined newly-promoted Championship side Coventry City on a season-long loan deal with the option to make the deal permanent after. He made his first appearance for the club in a 2–1 defeat against Bristol City on 12 September.

Sheaf signed for Coventry City on a three-year deal in July 2021.

Wrexham

On 1 September 2025, Sheaf joined Championship side Wrexham on a three-year deal.

International career

Sheaf debuted for England under-16 team in the Victory Shield. As of July 2014, he has played twice for the under-16 national team. He was part of the England U18s which played a couple of friendlies against the Netherlands in September 2015. They won 2–0 in the first game which Sheaf scored a penalty and drew the second game 0–0.

Personal life

Sheaf comes from a sporting family. His mother was a top-level volleyball and beach volleyball player, and his older brother Jake was also a professional beach volleyball player. Sheaf's father was a footballer at county level, whilst his younger brother Max is a former Arsenal player and former player for Ross County.

Career statistics

As of match played on 13 February 2026

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal2017–18Premier League0000101020
2018–190000001010
2019–2000000000
2020–2100000000
Total0000102030
Stevenage (loan)2017–18League Two1000000100
Doncaster Rovers (loan)2019–20League One321301020381
Coventry City (loan)2020–21Championship3001010320
Coventry City2021–22Championship3522000372
2022–23352110020383
2023–24313311000354
2024–25290002020330
2025–261000000010
Total13176230401449
Wrexham2025–26Championship260200000280
Career total2298122608025510

External links

  • at Soccerway