*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:14, 23 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:12, 6 November 2024 (UTC)
Born in Reading, Berkshire, Gittens started his career with local side Caversham Trents at the age of five,and stayed until he was seven.[4] Shortly after, he joined Reading, and also spent some time with Chelsea.[4] At under-9 level, he chose to remain with Reading, and stayed there until under-14 level, when he chose to sign with Manchester City.[5][6]
Borussia Dortmund
After two years in Manchester, Gittens moved to Germany in 2020 to sign for Borussia Dortmund.[7] His career in Dortmund was hampered by not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but a torn ligament injury that kept him out for a number of months.[8] However, the 2021–22 season was a much better one for Gittens; notable performances in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored six goals in four games, including two against Manchester United, earned him a call-up to Marco Rose's first team squad.[9][10][11]
Gittens made his Bundesliga debut in a 6–1 win over VfL Wolfsburg on 16 April 2022.[12] On 12 August 2022, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 3–1 away win against SC Freiburg.[13] On 16 August, he signed a new contract until June 2025.[14] On 15 February 2023, he made his Champions League debut, coming off the bench in the 79th minute in a 1–0 win over Chelsea in the round of 16 first leg.[15]
On 28 November 2023, Gittens scored his first Champions League goal and provided an assist in a 3–1 away win over Milan, securing qualification to the knockout phase.[16] Dortmund went on to reach the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley, in which Gittens appeared as a late substitute.[17] After struggling with injuries in his first two seasons, the 2023–24 season was Gittens' first at Dortmund where he remained injury free, making 25 appearances in the Bundesliga.[18]
In August 2024, Dortmund announced that he would play under the surname "Gittens", rather than "Bynoe-Gittens" as he had previously used. Gittens explained that his father had suggested it as it is shorter, although both parts of the name come from his father.[18] On the opening day of the 2024–25 Bundesliga, Gittens scored twice as a substitute to give Dortmund a 2–0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, in new coach Nuri Şahin's first league game.[19] In the opening game of Dortmund's 2024–25 Champions League campaign, Gittens again came off the bench to score twice and was named man of the match in a 3–0 win away to Club Brugge.[20][21]
International career
Gittens has represented England at numerous youth levels.[2] He is of Barbadian descent and is a dual citizen.[22][23]
On 17 June 2022, Gittens was included in the England U19 squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[24] He made his U19 debut as an 80th minute substitute during England's opening game of the tournament, a 2–0 victory over Austria in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.[25] He made his first start at this age level in their next group game against Serbia and received praise for his performance in the semi-final against Italy.[26] Gittens started in the final as England won the tournament with a 3–1 extra time victory over Israel on 1 July 2022.[27][28]
