# Araya Dennis

Araya Marilyn Roxanne Dennis (born 11 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club Southampton, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and as a defender for the England under-19s. A product of the Arsenal Academy, she previously played on loan for National League side Watford and Crystal palace in the Women's Championship.

## Club career
### Arsenal and loan spells

Dennis is a product of the Arsenal Academy having scored 4 goals in 18 appearances for the academy team. She trained with the Arsenal first team prior to a two month spell with National League South side Watford, under dual registration for the 2022–23 season, where she featured in three games, scoring one goal.
On 2 September 2023, Dennis joined Women's Championship club Crystal Palace on dual registration for the 2023–24 season, and scored on her debut with the club the next day in a 2–1 win against Birmingham City. In October, she was awarded the Women's Championship Goal of the Month, for her long-range effort from 35-yards out against Charlton Athletic.

### Tottenham Hotspur

In February 2024, having played at the 2nd and 3rd levels of women's football in England, Dennis signed a two-year contract with Women's Super League club Tottenham Hotspur in the top tier.
On 2 October 2024, she made her senior debut for Tottenham in the opening group stage match of the 2024–25 League Cup against Charlton Athletic, coming on as a 67 minute substitute. On 11 December, aged 18, Dennis scored her debut goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace in the final group stage match, helping Tottenham to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Her performance was described as impressive by VAVEL and Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn.

#### Southampton (loan)

On 10 January 2025, Dennis joined Women's Championship club Southampton on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 Women's Championship.

## International career

Dennis was part of the England under-17 team that played in the 2023 U17 Championship up until the semi-finals in May, where the youth team were defeated 3–1 by Spain.
On 20 September 2023, she scored her youth international debut goals for the England under-19s, with a brace in a friendly fixture against Denmark resulting in a 5–0 victory.
In July 2024, Dennis featured in the 2024 UEFA Under-19 Championship for the under-19s, providing an assist for the final goal against Lithuania as a 70th minute substitute.
For 2025 U19 Championship qualification in November and December 2024, she featured as a defender in all first round matches against Turkey, Italy, and Poland.

## Style of play

Dennis is a winger who contributes across the pitch. At the age of 17 she was described by Imeptus Football as a young talent who "displays an intelligence of the game way beyond her young age"; with the ability to easily escape tight spaces, draw opposition, and run channels.
Crystal Palace described the forward as a fast-paced and "attack-minded right-sided player". For England at youth level, she has covered at left-back from the right-wing position, and played as a defender in the number 2 position.

## Honours

Crystal Palace
* Women's Championship: 2023–24
Individual
* Women's Championship Goal of the Month: October 2023