# Baylee Dipepa

Baylee Dipepa (born 12 January 2007) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Southampton.
Dipepa began his career at Port Vale, playing 31 matches by age 17 and winning caps for England U17. He was sold to Southampton for an undisclosed fee in August 2024.

## Club career
### Port Vale

Dipepa first joined Port Vale at under-9 level. He made his first-team debut after coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Crewe Alexandra in an EFL Trophy group stage game at Vale Park on 5 September 2023. On 9 December, at the age of 16 years and 331 days old he became the seventh-youngest player in the club's history to play a Football League game when he came on as a substitute for Ethan Chislett in a 1–0 win at Exeter City. He signed his first professional contract in January 2024, when manager Andy Crosby and director of football, David Flitcroft went on record to praise his good attitude and future potential. He won his first league start under new manager Darren Moore on 27 February, when he picked up an assist in a 2–2 draw with Fleetwood Town. He scored his first career goal in a 2–1 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town on 10 March to become the second-youngest goalscorer in the club's history after 16-year-old teammate Jack Shorrock. He scored his second goal in a 2–0 win over Bristol Rovers on 29 March after he dribbled the ball from 35 yards (32 m) into shooting range. He signed a contract extension in July 2024 to keep him at the club for three years. He was also named as the club's Young Player of the Year. Upon his departure, manager Darren Moore said that "although everybody at the club is sad to see Baylee leave, the offer was fantastic for the club".

### Southampton

On 30 August 2024, Dipepa joined Premier League side Southampton on an undisclosed fee and was assigned to the under-21 squad.

## International career

Dipepa was called up to the England under-17 team in March 2024. He scored twice on his debut having come off the substitutes bench in a 5–1 win over Northern Ireland in 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification at St. George's Park. On 20 May 2024, Dipepa was included in the England squad for the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He scored his only goal of the tournament in the opening group game against France. He came off the bench as a substitute in the quarter-final and successfully took his penalty as England were eliminated by Italy on penalties.
He was named in the England under-18 squad for the Lafarge Foot Avenir in August 2024. On 4 September 2024, he made his U18 debut against Portugal.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 24 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Port Vale | 2023–24 | EFL League One | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| Port Vale | 2024–25 | EFL League Two | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Port Vale | Total | Total | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
| Southampton | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
* 1 2 Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

## Honours

Individual
* Port Vale Young Player of the Year: 2023–24