Aaron Donnelly
{{short description|Northern Irish association football player (born 2003)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aaron Donnelly
| image = Aaron Donnelly.png
| image_size = 200
| caption = Donnelly training with Dundee in 2023
| fullname = Aaron Martin Donnelly{{Soccerway|aaron-donnelly/641161 |access-date=25 January 2023 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|6|8|df=y}}{{soccerbase|166392}}
| birth_place = Magherafelt, Northern Ireland{{cite news |last1=Fullerton |first1=Darren |title=Nottingham Forest first-team experience gives NI teen hunger for more |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-first-team-experience-24945865 |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=BelfastLive |date=6 September 2022 |language=en}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Dundee
| clubnumber = 6
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Magherafelt Sky Blues
| youthyears2 = 2015–2019
| youthclubs2 = Dungannon Swifts
| youthyears3 = 2019–2022
| youthclubs3 = Nottingham Forest
| years1 = 2022–2025
| clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2023
| clubs2 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps2 = 20
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = → Dundee (loan)
| caps3 = 21
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2024–2025
| clubs4 = → Colchester United (loan)
| caps4 = 17
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2025–
| clubs5 = Dundee
| caps5 = 11
| goals5 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2019
| nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2021–
| nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U21
| nationalcaps2 = 16
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2024–
| nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 10 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 15 October 2024
}}
Aaron Martin Donnelly (born 8 June 2003) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for {{Scottish football updater|Dundee}} club Dundee and the Northern Ireland national team.
A Northern Ireland international, he turned professional at Nottingham Forest in August 2021. He spent the second half of the 2022–23 season on loan at Port Vale and was loaned out to Dundee for the 2023–24 season. He joined Colchester United on loan ahead of the 2024–25 season before joining Dundee permanently in January 2025.
Early and personal life
Aaron Martin Donnelly was born on 8 June 2003 in Magherafelt to Noel and Martina.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale defender Aaron Donnelly confirms unlikely Ant & Dec connection |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aaron-donnelly-port-vale-dec-8314356 |access-date=1 April 2023 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=1 April 2023 |language=en}} He has family from Newcastle upon Tyne and is related to Dec Donnelly. He played gaelic football as a forward growing up.
Club career
=Nottingham Forest=
In June 2019, Donnelly signed a deal with English side Nottingham Forest from Dungannon Swifts,{{cite news |last1=Beacom |first1=Steven |title=Four Dungannon Swifts teenagers agree moves to top English teams |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/four-dungannon-swifts-teenagers-agree-moves-to-top-english-teams/38244223.html |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=24 June 2019}} who he had played for since he was twelve.{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/northern-ireland-u21-defender-aaron-21279847|title=Northern Ireland U21 defender signs pro deal at Nottingham Forest|first=Darren|last=Fullerton|date=10 August 2021|website=BelfastLive}}{{cite news |last1=McMullan |first1=Michael |title=Magherafelt teenager signs first professional soccer contract |url=https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/655898/magherafelt-teenager-signs-first-professional-soccer-contract.html |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Derry Post |date=11 August 2021 |language=en}} He had been scouted by Gary Brazil and Bob Shaw whilst playing in the Victory Shield.{{cite book |title=The Official Matchday Programme of Port Vale FC Season 2022/23 Season - Issue 20 |date=1 April 2023 |page=12 |url=https://pvfc-shop.com/portvale/download/Hsr7pHjIhgbIsvK7FEFD.pdf |access-date=23 August 2023}} In August 2021, Donnelly signed his first professional contract with Forest.{{cite news |title=Donnelly pens professional contract |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2021/august/Donnelly-pens-professional-contract/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Nottingham Forest Football Club |date=11 August 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/aaron-donnelly-nottingham-forest-contract-5773202|title=Forest hand defender Aaron Donnelly first professional contract|first=Matt|last=Abbott|date=11 August 2021|website=NottinghamshireLive}} That deal was extended at the end of the 2021–22 season when Forest gained promotion to the Premier League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-transfers-retained-list-7190611|title=Nottingham Forest release three players as retained list announced|first=Sarah|last=Clapson|date=10 June 2022|website=NottinghamshireLive}} He made his professional debut for Forest on 23 August 2022, when manager Steve Cooper started him in a 3–0 EFL Cup win over Grimsby Town.{{cite news |title=Forest progress with routine victory at Grimsby |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62558137 |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2022}} In December 2022, Donnelly had extended his contract with Forest.{{cite news |title=Donnelly pens new contract |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2022/december/07/donnelly-pens-new-contract/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Nottingham Forest Football Club |date=7 December 2022}}
== Port Vale (loan) ==
On 23 January 2023, Donnelly joined EFL League One side Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=Donnelly joins Port Vale on loan |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2023/january/23/donnelly-joins-port-vale-on-loan/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Nottingham Forest Football Club |date=23 January 2023}}{{cite news |title=Aaron Donnelly joins the Valiants |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/january/aaron-donnelly-joins-the-valiants/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=23 January 2023 |language=en-gb}} Manager Darrell Clarke said that Donnelly would provide competition on the left-side of defence following the departure of Connor Hall earlier in the month and noted that assistant manager Andy Crosby had coached the player with the Northern Ireland under-21s.{{cite news |title=Port Vale sign Forest defender Donnelly on loan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64384136 |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 January 2023}} Donnelly made his debut in the English Football League on 28 January, playing on the left-side of a back three alongside Nathan Smith and Lewis Cass as the Vale kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw at Cheltenham Town.{{cite news |title=Aaron Donnelly {{!}} "Keeping a clean sheet important for me" |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/january/aaron-donnelly--keeping-a-clean-sheet-important-for-me/ |access-date=29 January 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=28 January 2023 |language=en-gb}} On 4 March, he scored his first career goal to secure a 1–0 win over Milton Keynes Dons at Vale Park, and dedicated the goal to a deceased supporter whose memory was being honoured with a minute's applause as Donnelly's volley hit the back of the net.{{cite news |title=Aaron Donnelly {{!}} "I was absolutely buzzing when the ball hit the back of the net" |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/march/aaron-donnelly--i-was-absolutely-buzzing-when-the-ball-hit-the-back-of-the-net/ |access-date=6 March 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=4 March 2023 |language=en-gb}}
== Dundee (loan) ==
On 24 July 2023, Donnelly joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |last=petermceleny |date=24 July 2023 |title=Donnelly signs on |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/donnelly-signs-on/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}} Donnelly would suffer an injury in training shortly after, with Dundee manager Tony Docherty saying Donnelly "will be out for a while", and returned to Nottingham for treatment.{{Cite web |last=Clapson |first=Sarah |date=2023-08-10 |title=Nottingham Forest's Aaron Donnelly suffers injury blow as loan halted |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-aaron-donnelly-injury-8667396 |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=NottinghamshireLive |language=en}} He returned to Dundee ahead of schedule in September.{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |date=2023-09-12 |title=Dundee loanee Aaron Donnelly ready to return ahead of schedule as date set for Antonio Portales comeback |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4715683/dundee-fc-aaron-donnelly-return-antonio-portales/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}} He made his debut for the Dee on 28 October, starting in a 2–0 league victory away at Livingston.{{Cite news |title=Late Shaughnessy double earns Dundee win at Livi |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67179244 |access-date=2023-10-28}} He missed ten weeks due to injury.{{cite news |title=Dundee's Donnelly 'thoroughly enjoying' Dens loan spell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cjmgjn0x3wmo |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2023}} He was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome and underwent surgery in January.{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Neil |title=Aaron Donnelly hailed for shock heart operation response as Dundee boss Tony Docherty highlights Nottingham Forest star's traits |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4928542/aaron-donnelly-heart-operation-dundee-tony-docherty/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=The Courier |date=22 March 2024}} He said he had a good 2023–24 season despite the initial injury and health scares, making 21 total appearances, helping Dundee achieve a top six finish and earning call-ups to the Northern Ireland senior squad.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Donnelly opens up on heart scare that saw defibrillators placed around pitch |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-aaron-donnelly-heart-9309129 |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=Nottinghamshire Live |date=28 May 2024 |language=en}}
== Colchester United (loan) ==
On 28 August 2024, Donnelly joined League Two club Colchester United on loan for the 2024–25 season.{{cite news |title=TRANSFER WINDOW: Colchester complete loan signing of Aaron Donnelly |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24548113.colchester-united-sign-aaron-donnelly-nottingham-forest/ |access-date=28 August 2024 |work=Gazette |date=28 August 2024 |language=en}} He made his debut on the same day in the EFL Cup against Premier League club Brentford.{{Cite web |title=Colchester United 0-1 Brentford: Bees progress to EFL Cup third round |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cvgedkw5e0nt |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Dundee=
On 8 January 2025, Donnelly was recalled from his loan spell with Colchester United, returning to Scottish Premiership side Dundee on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. {{cite web|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/donnelly-is-back/|title=Donnelly is back|website=dundeefc.co.uk|date=8 January 2025|accessdate=8 January 2025}} The following day, Donnelly made his second debut for Dundee in a home draw against Rangers.{{Cite web |title=Dundee 1-1 Rangers: report, reaction & stats - BBC Sport Scottish Premiership coverage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5yxnx22285t |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Five days later, Donnelly scored his first goal for the Dee in a 3–3 draw at Celtic on 14 January.{{cite news |last1=Lindsay |first1=Matthew |title=Dundee 3 Celtic 3: Injury-time Arne Engels penalty salvages Dens Park draw |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/24857870.dundee-3-celtic-3-instant-reaction-burning-issues/ |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=The Herald |date=14 January 2025 |language=en}} This was his sole goal in 14 appearances in the second half of the 2024–25 campaign.
International career
Donnelly has competed with the Northern Ireland national team at under-17 and under-21 level.{{cite news |title=Six Named In Under-21 Squad |url=https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2022/may/six-named-in-under-21-squad/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=NI Football League |date=31 May 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=International Jet Set |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2021/october/13/international-jet-set/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work=Nottingham Forest Football Club |date=13 October 2021}} He received his first call-up to the senior side in June 2023.{{cite news |title=Larne striker Bonis among three new NI call-ups |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65812472 |access-date=9 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2023}} He was again called up in March 2024.{{cite news |last1=Cran |first1=George |title=Dundee loanee Aaron Donnelly backed to kick on after Northern Ireland call-up |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4934403/dundee-aaron-donnelly-kick-on-northern-ireland/ |access-date=9 May 2024 |work=The Courier |date=28 March 2024}}
Donnelly made his debut on 11 June 2024 in a friendly against Andorra at Estadio Nueva Condomina in Murcia, Spain. He substituted Ciaron Brown in the 69th minute of a 2–0 victory for Northern Ireland.{{cite web|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/702330/|title=Northern Ireland v Andorra game report|date=11 June 2024}}
Style of play
Donnelly is a left-sided defender who is aggressive in both defence and attack, providing crosses going forward, along with overlaps and underlaps.{{cite news |title=Aaron Donnelly {{!}} "The system here really suits me" |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2023/january/aaron-donnelly--the-system-here-really-suits-me/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |work = Port Vale F.C. |date=23 January 2023 |language=en-gb}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 10 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Nottingham Forest
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|166392|2022|accessdate=3 July 2022}} | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|166392|2023|accessdate=24 July 2023}} | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|166392|2024|accessdate=24 July 2023}} | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Port Vale (loan)
|20 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 20 | 1 | ||||
| Dundee (loan)
|21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 21 | 0 | ||
| Colchester United (loan)
|17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
| Dundee
|Scottish Premiership |11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!69 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 2 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan=3 | Northern Ireland national team{{cite web |last1=Strack-Zimmermann |first1=Benjamin |title=Aaron Donnelly (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/95145/Aaron_Donnelly.html |website=www.national-football-teams.com |access-date=28 August 2024 |language=en}} | ||
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 |
| Total||2||0 |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Dundee F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnelly, Aaron}}
Category:Sportspeople from Magherafelt
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Association footballers from County Londonderry
Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland
Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland
Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers
Category:Dungannon Swifts F.C. players
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers