Rolando Aarons Explained

Rolando Aarons
Fullname:Rolando Aarons[1]
Birth Date:16 November 1995[2]
Birth Place:Kingston, Jamaica
Height:1.80 m[3]
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Celje
Clubnumber:17
Youthyears1:2009–2012
Youthclubs1:Bristol City
Youthyears2:2012–2014
Youthclubs2:Newcastle United
Years1:2014–2021
Clubs1:Newcastle United
Caps1:22
Goals1:2
Years2:2018
Clubs2:Hellas Verona (loan)
Caps2:11
Goals2:0
Years3:2018
Clubs3:Slovan Liberec (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:0
Years4:2019
Clubs4:Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Caps4:9
Goals4:1
Years5:2019–2020
Clubs5:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps5:10
Goals5:1
Years6:2020
Clubs6:Motherwell (loan)
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Years7:2021–2023
Clubs7:Huddersfield Town
Caps7:11
Goals7:0
Years8:2022
Clubs8:Motherwell (loan)
Caps8:2
Goals8:0
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Celje
Caps9:12
Goals9:1
Nationalyears1:2014–2015
Nationalteam1:England U20
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2022
Nationalteam2:Jamaica
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:15 June 2024

Rolando Aarons (born 16 November 1995) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a winger for Slovenian PrvaLiga club Celje. He has had previous loan spells with Hellas Verona in Italy, Slovan Liberec in the Czech Republic and Scottish club Motherwell, and in England with Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers.

Club career

Newcastle United

Aarons joined Newcastle United in 2012 after being released by his home town club Bristol City.[4] He made his reserve team debut on 8 February 2013 against Stoke City and scored in his second reserve game against Crystal Palace 17 days later.[2] [5]

Aarons travelled with the Newcastle squad to their game against Fulham. He was not included in the matchday squad as the Magpies lost 1–0. Reserves teammate Ľubomír Šatka also travelled with the squad for the first time.

On 1 April 2014, Aarons signed a professional contract with Newcastle United.[6]

2014–15 season

Aarons had an impressive pre-season prior to the 2014–15 season, scoring one goal and creating one assist in the 2014 Schalke 04 Cup against Bundesliga team Schalke. Shortly after, he was allocated the number 16 shirt.[7] On 17 August 2014, he made his Premier League debut in their first match of the campaign, replacing Yoan Gouffran for the final 16 minutes of a 2–0 home defeat to Manchester City.[8] He scored his first senior goal in the 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace on 30 August. He also set up teammate Mike Williamson for Newcastle's third goal in the same match, striking the post with his own effort. His contribution to the match was described by The Guardian as "thrillingly incisive".[9] Aarons came back from England U20 duty with a hamstring injury; scans in mid-September determined that it would take around six weeks for the injury to heal.[10] On 29 October, Aarons returned from injury to score his second goal for the club in the fourth round of the League Cup, opening the scoring in Newcastle's 2–0 away victory over holders Manchester City.[11] In early November, Aarons suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, ruling him out for another month.[12]

Loans

In 2018, Aarons spent time out on loan with Hellas Verona under Fabio Pecchia, Benítez's former assistant at Newcastle, and Slovan Liberec.[13] After 13 appearances in all competitions for the Czech side, he returned to Newcastle in December 2018.[14] On 31 January 2019, deadline day for the winter transfer window, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.[15]

Aarons signed for Wycombe Wanderers on 2 September 2019 on a short-term loan.[16] The loan spell came to an end on 12 January 2020.[17]

On 31 January 2020, Aarons moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Motherwell for the remainder of the season. But on 31 May 2020 Aarons's loan spell ended with the Scottish outfit.[18]

Huddersfield Town

On 7 January 2021, Aarons signed for Huddersfield Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[19] [20] He made his debut for the club two days later in a 3–2 FA Cup Third Round loss to Plymouth Argyle, coming off the substitutes' bench to replace Pat Jones.[21] A week later, he made his Championship debut for Huddersfield, playing 62 minutes in a 2–1 defeat to Watford, before being replaced by Jones.[22]

Motherwell (loan)

On 30 August 2022, Aarons returned to Motherwell on loan having spent time with the club in 2020.[23] On 2 November 2022, his loan was cancelled due to injury.[24]

Celje

On 8 January 2024, Aarons signed for NK Celje as a free agent. He made his debut against Dinamo Zagreb on 13 January 2024, which Celje lost 2–0 to Dinamo Zagreb.

International career

Aarons is eligible to represent either England or Jamaica at international level.[25] In August 2014, he received his first call-up to the England U20 team, marking his debut with the opening goal in a 6–0 friendly match win over Romania on 5 September.[26] [27] His club manager Alan Pardew confirmed that, despite interest from Jamaica, he intended to pursue an international future within the England set-up.[28]

In May 2022, he received his first call-up to the Jamaica squad for their CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Suriname and Mexico.[29] He would make his debut as a substitute against Suriname on 7 June 2022 at Kingston National Stadium.

Style of play

Aarons operates on the outside of midfield or as a winger, usually on the left side. He is left-footed and known for his injections of pace and technical ability.[30] He has been compared to Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling in his playing style and in his descent; both are Jamaican-born English players.[30]

Personal life

Aarons was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and migrated to England at the age of five to join his mother, who was living in Bristol.[31] He is the cousin of former Norwich City and current Bournemouth player Max Aarons.[32]

In April 2018, Aarons arrived to the Newcastle Crown Court due to violent disorder; he pleaded guilty and was given a 10-month suspended sentence and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.[33]

Career statistics

Club

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueDomestic CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newcastle United2014–15Premier League41002162
2015–161010010111
2016–17EFL Championship40001050
2017–18Premier League40001151
2018–1900000000
2019–2000000000
2020–2100000000
Total222005200274
Hellas Verona (loan)2017–18Serie A11000110
Slovan Liberec (loan)2018–19First League12010130
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)2018–19EFL Championship91000091
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2019–20EFL League One101100021132
Motherwell (loan)2019–20Scottish Premiership60210081
Huddersfield Town2020–21EFL Championship1000000100
2021–2210000010
2022–2300000000
Total110000000
Motherwell (loan)2021–22Scottish Premiership20100030
NK Celje2023–24Slovenian PrvaLiga30000030
Career total864515221988

International

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Wycombe Wanderers . English Football League . 77 . 28 October 2019.
  2. News: Rolando Aarons. Newcastle United FC. 18 March 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140218015253/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/AcademyPlayerProfile/0,,10278~2825528,00.html. 18 February 2014.
  3. News: Rolando Aarons . 20 August 2022 . Huddersfield Town A.F.C. . 4 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204053113/https://www.htafc.com/matches/first-team/midfielder/rolando-aarons/ . dead .
  4. News: Cameron. Neil. Newcastle United star Rolando Aarons' fightback after being dumped Bristol City shows real character. 10 September 2014. Evening Chronicle. 9 September 2014.
  5. News: Reserves Fixtures 2012/13. Newcastle United FC. 15 July 2013. 6 January 2014.
  6. Aarons Pens Professional Deal . Newcastle United . 1 April 2014 . 1 April 2014.
  7. Squad Numbers Announced . Newcastle United . 7 August 2014 . 7 August 2014.
  8. News: Chowdhury. Saj. Newcastle 0–2 Man City. 17 August 2014. BBC Sport. 17 August 2014.
  9. News: Taylor. Louise. Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha scores last-gasp equaliser at Newcastle. 30 August 2014. The Guardian. 30 August 2014.
  10. News: Ryder. Lee. Injury woes for Newcastle United as Rolando Aarons could be out for longer than feared. 18 September 2014. Evening Chronicle. 16 September 2014.
  11. Web site: Holders Manchester City were knocked out of the League Cup as a youthful Newcastle side earned the club's first win in 12 attempts at Etihad Stadium. . BBC Sport . 29 October 2014 . 29 October 2014 .
  12. News: Starforth. Miles. Rolando Aarons blow for Newcastle. 11 November 2014. Shields Gazette. 11 November 2014.
  13. News: Aarons completes loan move. 7 September 2018. Newcastle United F.C.. 7 September 2018.
  14. Web site: Newcastle United official announcement confirms Rolando Aarons is on his way back. themag.co.uk. 17 December 2018. 18 December 2018.
  15. Web site: Newcastle Trio Leave on Loan. Sky Sports. 31 January 2019. 31 January 2019.
  16. Web site: Ainsworth swoops for Newcastle starlet. Wycombe Wanderers F.C.. 2 September 2019. 2 September 2019.
  17. Web site: Newcastle United winger Rolando Aarons ends loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers. ChronicleLive. Ryder. Lee. 12 January 2020. 5 February 2020.
  18. Web site: Motherwell: James Scott deal done as Newcastle's Rolando Aarons joins. BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. 5 February 2020.
  19. Web site: Threlfall-Sykes. David. 7 January 2021. TRANSFER: ROLANDO AARONS ARRIVES FROM NEWCASTLE!. 2021-01-08. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  20. Web site: 7 January 2021. Aarons joins Huddersfield Town. 2021-01-08. Newcastle United Football Club. en.
  21. Web site: Partington. Mikey. 9 January 2021. REPORT: TOWN 2-3 PLYMOUTH. 2021-01-18. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  22. Web site: Partington. Mikey. 16 January 2021. REPORT: WATFORD 2-0 TOWN. 2021-01-18. www.htafc.com. en-gb.
  23. Web site: Rolando Aarons joins on loan. www.motherwellfc.co.uk. 30 August 2022. 31 August 2022.
  24. News: Motherwell cut short Aarons loan . 25 October 2022 . BBC . 2 November 2022.
  25. News: Douglas. Mark. Newcastle United youngster Roland Aarons wanted by Championship clubs – and Jamaica. The Journal. 28 August 2014. 9 August 2014. 11 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811182212/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-youngster-roland-aarons-7585326. dead.
  26. Web site: Aidy Boothroyd names U20 squad to face Romania. The FA. 28 August 2014. 28 August 2014.
  27. Web site: Reid. Jamie. Boothroyd's boys hit Romania for six in Telford. The FA. 5 September 2014. 5 September 2014.
  28. News: Starforth. Miles. Rolando Aarons will target England future, says Newcastle United boss at the time Alan Pardew . Shields Gazette. 29 August 2014. 30 August 2014.
  29. Web site: JUNE 2022 INTERNATIONAL BREAK: CALL-UPS . Huddersfield Town A.F.C.. 30 May 2022. 31 May 2022.
  30. News: Rolando Aarons seeks a reward for his sterling effort at Newcastle. Daily Express. 5 November 2014. 31 October 2014.
  31. Web site: Newcastle United's brightest and best: Freddie Woodman and Rolando Aarons aiming for the stars. Mark. Douglas. 8 March 2015.
  32. News: Rapid rise continuing for Canaries prospect Aarons after derby debut. Freezer. David. Eastern Daily Press. 2018-09-04.
  33. Web site: Riddell . Kathryn . Graham . Hannah . 2018-05-22 . Rolando Aarons sentenced for Livello brawl LIVE . 2024-01-12 . Chronicle Live . en.