David Rhys Remington Stephens (born 8 October 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender. Stephens has previously played for Norwich City, Lincoln City and Hibernian. He has represented Wales at youth international levels up to and including the Wales under-21 team.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Stephens joined Norwich City's Academy as a 13-year-old. He was initially preferred in a central midfield role, but is now primarily thought of as a central defender.
Stephens signed a professional contract with Norwich in June 2009. His first team debut came on 6 October 2009, as a substitute in a 1âÂÂ0 win over Gillingham in the Football League Trophy. On 19 March 2010, Stephens joined Football League Two side Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the 2009âÂÂ10 season.
Stephens signed for Scottish Premier League team Hibernian on a three-year deal in July 2010. Stephens made his debut for Hibs as a substitute in the opening day 3âÂÂ2 win at Motherwell on 15 August. He made 29 appearances in just over two years with Hibs.
Stephens left Hibs on 31 August 2012 and signed for Football League Two club Barnet. Stephens played regularly for Barnet, forming several different centre back partnerships throughout the course of the 2012âÂÂ13 season. Stephens was voted Barnet's Player of the Season by supporters in 2012âÂÂ13 and again in 2013âÂÂ14. He is known to be both superstitious and a fan of Engelbert Humperdinck. Stephens stated in an interview that he listened to Humperdinck's 1969 hit The Way It Used to Be before every game and believed he would have a bad game without it. He cited Humperdinck as a major factor in him winning Barnet's player of the year award in consecutive seasons. After promotion in 2014âÂÂ15, Stephens rejected a new deal at Barnet and left the club on 1 July 2015. In October of that year, Stephens joined Boreham Wood. In March 2023, Stephens joined National League South club Dulwich Hamlet on loan until the end of the season. Stephens left Boreham Wood during the 2023âÂÂ24 season. In total, he made 257 appearances for Wood, scoring seven goals.
Stephens made his debut for the Wales under-17 side on 27 August 2007 in a 2âÂÂ1 friendly win over Belgium, before scoring his first goal for the side two days later as a substitute during a second 2âÂÂ1 victory over Belgium. Having established himself in the team, he featured in all three matches of the first qualifying round as well as in two matches of the elite round of qualifying for the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, scoring his second under-17 goal in a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Slovenia. He made his final appearance at under-17 level on 19 July 2008 in a 1âÂÂ0 defeat to Sweden.
Three months later, Stephen moved up to the Wales under-19 squad, being handed his debut in a 0âÂÂ0 draw with Montenegro on 30 September 2008. He was also part of the unsuccessful under-19 squads for the qualifying rounds of both the 2009 and 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, scoring his first goal at under-19 level on 8 November 2009 in a 3âÂÂ1 win over Macedonia. He made his debut at under-21 level on 10 August 2010 in a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Malta.
Barnet