Field Insider
20.5
6%
Ratingi
9.2
607.7%
Seasoni
2.3
Valuei

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 18 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameBen Easton Close
PositionCentral midfielder
NationalityEngland
Age30
Date of birth8 Aug 1996
BirthplacePortsmouth
Height175 cm
Shirt number#33
ClubDoncaster
More about B. Close →
Central midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
21
Appearances
1
Goals
0
Assists
907
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Doncaster.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral midfielder

B. Close is a 30-year-old central midfielder at Doncaster, rated 20.5 overall by Field Insider's model. An experienced operator, he has been a fringe squad member this season (21.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.37 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Close.

On the season, Close graded 9 for current form (age-blind), on 1 goal, 0 assists and 3.374 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 1 → 9). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2022/23.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 21. At 30 Close is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 2.3 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Past his 2022/23 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.

Peak: 2022/23Trending downBreakout: 2022/23Stepped up 2025/26
20.5
Ratingi
below regular-starter level
9.2
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
21.9%
Minutes
limited game time
3.37
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Doncaster finished 14th of 24 · a mid-table side

21
Apps
3.37
Def. / 90
17
Tackles
12
Interceptions
2
Clean sheets

3.37 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 2 clean sheets across 21 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 21.9% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 20.5 overall — below regular-starter level. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (3.37 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1× now → 0.7× projected in three years).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the League One with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals1

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles17
Interceptions12
Blocks5

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards1
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.