1. Early life and youth career
Finley Munroe's early football development began at two prominent English academies, Chelsea and Aston Villa, where he honed his skills before embarking on his professional path.
1.1. Chelsea Academy
Munroe began his career at the Chelsea Academy, one of England's premier youth football development institutions. During his time there, former Chelsea player and England international Ashley Cole recognized Munroe's potential, identifying him as a player who deserved a specialist scholarship due to his capabilities. Despite this positive assessment, Munroe was released by Chelsea on June 30, 2021. The stated reason for his departure was allegedly due to concerns that he was "too small" for their program, a decision that highlights the intense physical demands and subjective assessments within elite youth football academies.
1.2. Aston Villa Academy
Following his release from Chelsea, Munroe quickly joined Aston Villa just nine days later, on July 9, 2021, showcasing the immediate interest in his talent from another top-flight club. His integration into Aston Villa's youth system was swift, and he continued to impress, leading to him signing his first professional contract with the club on July 7, 2022. During the 2023-24 season, Munroe made three appearances for Aston Villa U21 in the EFL Trophy, gaining valuable experience in a competitive youth environment.
2. Senior club career
Munroe's progression from youth teams to senior football has seen him make appearances for Aston Villa in various competitions, demonstrating his growth and versatility, before moving on loan to gain further experience.
2.1. Aston Villa
Munroe made his first appearance in the Aston Villa senior squad on January 26, 2024, when he was named as an unused substitute for an FA Cup tie against his former club, Chelsea. His consistent development and potential were recognized by Aston Villa, who extended his professional contract on April 12, 2024.
His competitive first-team debut came on May 9, 2024, when he featured as a late substitute in a UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final match against Olympiacos, which Aston Villa lost 2-0. Shortly thereafter, on May 19, 2024, Munroe made his Premier League debut as a substitute in an away defeat to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season. During the 2023-24 season, he made one appearance in the Premier League and one in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the club.
2.2. Loan to Real Unión
On August 24, 2024, Munroe embarked on a season-long loan move to Real Unión, a Spanish club with ties to Aston Villa. This move provided him with an opportunity to gain regular first-team experience in a different league environment. As of January 25, 2025, Munroe has made 15 appearances and scored 1 goal for Real Unión in the Primera Federación league, showcasing his development and contribution in a competitive professional setting.
3. Personal life
Finley Munroe has familial connections within the professional football world. He is a cousin of Arsenal player Declan Rice, a prominent midfielder for both club and the England national team.
4. Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Aston Villa U21 | 2023-24 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||
| Aston Villa | 2023-24 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024-25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Real Unión (loan) | 2024-25 | Primera Federación | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 15 | 1 | |||
| Career total | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 1 | ||