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Ben White – Biography, Stats, Club Career & Personal Life

William Cooper • 2026-07-13 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

Ben White has become one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League since joining Arsenal in 2021. His versatility, composure on the ball, and ability to play both centre-back and right-back have made him a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s system. From his early days at Brighton to his England call-up, here is a comprehensive look at his career, stats, and personal life.

Born in Poole, Dorset, White spent his formative years in the Southampton academy before being released at 16. He then joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2014, beginning a journey that would eventually lead to a £50 million move to Arsenal. Now 28, he is a Premier League winner (2025/26) and continues to be an integral part of the Gunners’ defence.

Where information remains unconfirmed – such as his religion or relationship status – that is clearly stated below.

Who Is Ben White? Biography and Background

Full Name: Benjamin William White
Date of Birth: 8 October 1997 (age 28)
Position: Right-back / Centre-back
Current Club: Arsenal (squad number 4)
  • Ben White is primarily a right-back but started his Arsenal career as a centre-back.
  • He cost Arsenal £50 million in 2021, making him one of the most expensive defenders in club history.
  • White has 6 senior caps for England (last appearance in 2022).
  • He is known for his composure on the ball and tactical versatility.
  • White won Brighton’s Player of the Year in 2020/21 before leaving.
  • He scored a personal best 4 goals in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
  • White’s contract with Arsenal runs until June 2028, with an option for a further year.
Attribute Details
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 76 kg (168 lbs)
Nationality English
Market Value (Transfermarkt) €30.00 million
Contract Expiry June 2028 (Arsenal)
Foot Right-footed
Arsenal Debut 13 August 2021 vs Brentford
England Debut 2 June 2021 vs Austria
Squad Number 4 (Arsenal)
Premier League Titles 1 (2025/26)
Total Arsenal Appearances 172 (6 goals, 12 assists) – as of mid-2026
England Caps 6 (1 goal)

Which Club Does Ben White Play For? Club Career and Transfers

Brighton & Hove Albion (2016–2021)

White made his senior debut for Brighton at age 18 in 2016. Loan spells at Newport County and Leeds United followed. At Leeds, he won the club’s Young Player of the Year award and helped the team win the Championship title in 2019/20. Upon returning to Brighton, White was named the club’s Player of the Year for the 2020/21 season before securing a big-money move.

Positional Shift

Although signed as a centre-back, White has primarily played as a right-back for Arsenal since the 2022/23 season. His ability to invert into midfield from that role has been a tactical asset for Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal (2021–Present)

Arsenal announced the signing of Ben White on 30 July 2021 for a fee of £50 million, potentially rising to £58 million with add-ons. At the time, it made him the club’s most expensive defender, as reported by BBC Sport. He made his Premier League debut for the Gunners on 13 August 2021 in a 2–0 loss to Brentford.

In the 2023/24 season, White scored a career-best 4 goals and provided 5 assists in the Premier League, earning Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for March 2024. He was part of the Arsenal side that won the Premier League in the 2025/26 season. His contract, extended on 14 March 2024, runs until June 2028 with an option for a further year.

Has Ben White Played for England? International Career

England Debut and Caps

Ben White made his senior England debut on 2 June 2021 in a friendly against Austria, per the official England Football website. He was subsequently called up to the Euro 2020 squad as a replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. As of mid-2026, White has earned 6 senior caps and scored 1 goal for the Three Lions.

His last appearance for England came in 2022. He has not featured under Gareth Southgate in recent squads, though his performances at club level remain at a high standard. A potential return for future international tournaments is possible if form and selection align.

What Are Ben White’s Stats? Performance and Achievements

Statistical Snapshot

In the Premier League, White has made 143 appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 9 assists (Transfermarkt, mid-2026). Across all competitions for Arsenal, he has 172 appearances, 6 goals, and 12 assists (Premier League official). His defensive contributions include numerous clean sheets, though exact clean-sheet data is not detailed in the available sources.

White is right-footed. His best goalscoring season came in 2023/24 when he netted 4 times in the Premier League. He has also provided 5 assists in that same league campaign. His composure in possession and ability to step into midfield are key statistical indicators of his value.

Unconfirmed Salary Details

White’s exact annual salary is not publicly disclosed. Fan media often estimate it at £150,000–£200,000 per week, but no official figures have been released by Arsenal. Any net worth figures circulating online should be treated as unverified.

Ben White’s Personal Life: Wife, Religion, and Salary

Relationship Status and Family

Ben White has not publicly confirmed a wife, girlfriend, or partner. No public relationship details are available from official or reputable sources. Similarly, details about his parents or siblings are not documented in major sources. He is known to own two dogs – Rocco (a Rottweiler) and Jessie (a Sprollie) – and has a public interest in gardening, mentioned in an Arsenal club article.

Religion

White’s religious beliefs are not publicly confirmed. No official statement or reliable source indicates his faith. Speculation online should be disregarded.

Salary and Contract

As noted, his exact salary is not officially published. His transfer fee of £50 million (up to £58 million) makes him Arsenal’s most expensive defender. His contract expires in June 2028. His Instagram handle is @benwhite (verified). He does not have a known public Twitter account.

How Did Ben White’s Career Progress Over Time?

  1. 2014: Joins Brighton & Hove Albion academy after being released by Southampton at age 16.
  2. 2016: Signs first professional contract with Brighton; makes senior debut at age 18.
  3. 2017–2018: Loan to Newport County (League Two) for first-team experience.
  4. 2019–2020: Loan to Leeds United; wins Championship title and Leeds’ Young Player of the Year award.
  5. 2020: Premier League debut for Brighton; named Brighton’s Player of the Year for 2020/21.
  6. 2021 (July): Transfers to Arsenal for £50 million (potential £58 million).
  7. 2021 (June): England senior debut against Austria; named in Euro 2020 squad.
  8. 2022–2023: Switches from centre-back to right-back under Mikel Arteta.
  9. 2023–2024: Personal best season (4 goals, 5 assists); wins Arsenal Player of the Month (March 2024).
  10. 2025–2026: Wins Premier League title with Arsenal; continues as key starter.

What Is Known and Unknown About Ben White?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Full name, date of birth, and position are confirmed by official club and league records. Religion is not publicly confirmed; no official statement exists.
Transfer fee to Arsenal (£50 million) is widely reported by reputable football journalists. Relationship status (wife/girlfriend) is not confirmed; no public partner identified.
England caps (6) are recorded by the FA and England Football website. Net worth and exact salary are estimates, not official figures.
Contract runs until June 2028 (confirmed by Arsenal). Reason for absence from recent England squads is not officially detailed.

What Tactical Role Does Ben White Play at Arsenal?

White’s transition from a centre-back to a right-back under Mikel Arteta has been a notable tactical success. At Arsenal, he often inverts from right-back into a midfield position during build-up play, allowing the team to create numerical advantages in central areas. This adaptability has made him a vital component of Arsenal’s system.

Comparisons with other English right-backs such as Kyle Walker and Reece James are frequent in football media. White’s composure on the ball and defensive reliability are his standout traits.

Where Does Information About Ben White Come From?

Information in this article is based on official sources including Arsenal’s website, the Premier League, England Football, Wikipedia (English, Polish, Turkish), Transfermarkt, ESPN FC, BBC Sport, and 365Scores. Where multiple sources conflict or information is uncertain, that has been explicitly noted.

What Is the Bottom Line on Ben White?

Ben White is a versatile, high-quality defender who has established himself as a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defence. His journey from a released academy player to a £50 million signing and Premier League winner reflects strong character and development. For those interested in the full Arsenal squad, see the Arsenal Players – Guide to 2025/26 Squad and All-Time Greats. For another player profile, read Mohammed Kudus – Biography, Injury Update and Stats 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ben White’s net worth?

Not publicly confirmed; estimates vary widely. His market value is €30 million (Transfermarkt).

Does Ben White have children?

No confirmed information.

Is Ben White on Twitter?

Ben White is not known to have a public Twitter account. His Instagram is @benwhite.

What is Ben White’s squad number?

He wears number 4 for Arsenal.

How many goals has Ben White scored for Arsenal?

He has scored 6 goals in 172 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions.

When did Ben White join Arsenal?

He joined on 30 July 2021 for a £50 million transfer fee.

Is Ben White injured?

No injury information is available; he is expected to be fit for the current season.

What position does Ben White play?

He primarily plays right-back but can also play centre-back.

What is Ben White’s height?

He is 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) tall.

Does Ben White have a girlfriend?

His relationship status is not publicly confirmed.


William Cooper

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William Cooper

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