An in-depth look at the career of our 16th summer recruit, Harvey Vale…
Born in Haywards Heath in West Sussex, Vale began his career with local side Crowborough in 2009 before making the switch to Fulham’s academy a year later.
Spending six years with the Cottagers, the 18-year-old started out as a left-back and played a variety of positions, including once in goal as a goalkeeper went down injured, before settling as a midfielder.
In 2016, Vale left Fulham to join West London rivals Chelsea at Under-13s level and signed his first professional contract in September 2020.
Featuring seven times in all competitions in his first season at Under-18s level, 2019/20, the following campaign saw Vale score five goals and register five assists in just 12 U18 Premier League fixtures. He also scored once and registered three assists in three FA Youth Cup fixtures.
The 2021/22 season was a breakout campaign for the versatile midfielder as he made a total 38 appearances for the Blues’ respected sides, netting nine times and registering five assists. Twenty-two of those appearances came in Premier League 2, where he scored five goals and registered three assists.
Featuring six times in the UEFA Youth League and twice in the EFL Trophy, Vale made his senior debut in the Blues’ EFL Cup quarter-final tie against Brentford. The 18-year-old started with fellow new Hull City signing Xavier Simons at the Brentford Community Stadium, with Vale playing 65 minutes before being replaced by Mason Mount in a 2-0 victory.
Coming on as a substititue in the first leg of the semi-finals against Tottenham Hotspur, Vale also featured three times in the FA Cup for Chelsea, in victories over Chesterfield, Luton Town and Middlesbrough. He was also an unused substitute nine times for the first team, with four of them coming in the Premier League and another four coming in the UEFA Champions League.
Vale has featured three times for the Under-21s this season, scoring twice in a 7-1 opening-day victory away at Wolves in Premier League 2, as well as netting one in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City Under-21s. He also played 27 minutes in the Blues’ EFL Trophy group stage fixture against Sutton United.
Internationally, Vale has represented England at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 level, making a combined 22 caps, scoring three goals.
Scoring in his second of three caps at Under-15s level in a 6-0 victory over U.A.E, Vale made his one and only appearance for the Under-16s in a 2-1 victory over Türkiye as a 14-year-old. Netting one goal in three games at Under-17s, the midfielder played in left midfield in his debut match for the Under-19s in September 2021, a 2-0 victory over Italy.
Being named captain in only his third appearance for the Three Lions at that level, Vale led England to European Championship glory in July of this year, assisting the second goal for Carney Chukwuemeka as England defeated Israel 3-1 after extra-time. At Under-19s level, Vale has been capped 15 times, captaining eight of those fixtures, scoring one goal and registering one assist.