Jonny Clayton is Niko Springer’s first-round opponent at the European Championship in Dortmund. Here is a closer look at the 52-year-old Welshman.

Niko Springer faces a daunting draw at his second consecutive European Championship. Clayton is the seventh seed, currently ranked world number five, and arrives in form after winning the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel just days ago. Springer has lost both of his previous meetings with Clayton, including the 2025 Dutch Darts Championship final, 8–6. But who is Jonny Clayton? Here are five facts about the right-hander.

1. Jonny Clayton at a glance

Jonny Clayton was born on 4 October 1974 in Llanelli and grew up in the Welsh village of Pontyberem. He is married to his wife, Ellen, and has two children. His walk-on song is “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry. He uses darts made by Red Dragon.

The Welshman heads to Dortmund full of confidence

2. Rugby first, then darts

Before taking the darts world by storm, Clayton played rugby. He played scrum-half for amateur club Pontyberem RFC and at times led the team out as captain. His teammates also gave him his nickname there: “The Ferret” reflects his small stature and agility on the pitch.

3. The professional with a plastering job

For years, Clayton worked as a plasterer for Carmarthenshire County Council. Even after winning the 2020 World Cup of Darts alongside Gerwyn Price, he continued to go to work regularly. He took unpaid leave for tournaments and described darts at the time as a lucrative hobby. He did not become a full-time professional until 2022. He first started playing in 1995, aged 21, and earned his PDC Tour Card at Qualifying School in 2015.

4. Losing his biggest fan

Clayton won four major titles in 2021 and celebrated each one with his father. John Clayton died in July 2023, shortly after his son’s World Matchplay final. The Welshman later spoke openly about wanting to give everything up and losing his passion for darts for a time. He said his father had been his biggest fan. Clayton fought his way back and is once again playing at the highest level.

5. In strong form after Basel

His title in Switzerland has added further gloss to Clayton’s season, and he also won the 2026 New Zealand Darts Masters. At last year’s European Championship, his debut at the event, he lost 6–3 to Ryan Searle in the first round. He will be determined to put that right in Dortmund.

Key facts about Jonny Clayton: