Aaron Wildig
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aaron Wildig
| image = Aaron Wildig.jpg
| caption = Wildig playing for Cardiff City in 2010
| fullname = Aaron Keith Wildig{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Morecambe |publisher=English Football League |page=44 |accessdate=23 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|04|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Hereford, England
| height =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Newport County
| clubnumber = 24
| youthclubs1 = Cardiff City
| youthyears1 = 2008–2009
| years1 = 2009–2012
| clubs1 = Cardiff City
| caps1 = 13
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2011
| clubs2 = → Hamilton Academical (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2011–2012
| clubs3 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2012–2015
| clubs4 = Shrewsbury Town
| caps4 = 52
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2014–2015
| clubs5 = → Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
| caps5 = 4
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2015
| clubs6 = → Morecambe (loan)
| caps6 = 9
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2015–2022
| clubs7 = Morecambe
| caps7 = 204
| goals7 = 19
| clubs8 = Newport County
| caps8 = 75
| goals8 = 9
| years8 = 2022–
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Wales U16
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 13:05, 4 December 2024 (UTC)
}}
Aaron Keith Wildig (born 15 April 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|NewportC}} club Newport County.
Club career
=Cardiff City=
Wildig was born in Hereford, and began his career at Cardiff City, making his way through the club's youth system, including captaining the under-18 side.{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2008/10/20/brilliant-win-for-city-youngsters-91466-22069646/ |title=Brilliant Win For City Youngsters |publisher=South Wales Echo |date=20 October 2008 |accessdate=13 August 2009}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~1627644,00.html |title=Swans Spot on Against Cardiff |publisher=swanseacity.net |date=15 April 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417053838/http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0%2C%2C10354~1627644%2C00.html |archivedate=17 April 2009 }} In April 2009, Wildig signed a professional contract at the club,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1628475,00.html |title=Wildig Signs Pro Deal |publisher=cardiffcityfc.co.uk |date=15 April 2009 |accessdate=10 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224235738/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~1628475%2C00.html |archivedate=24 February 2012 }} before going on to make his professional debut at the start of the 2009–10 season, replacing Miguel Comminges during a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the League Cup on 11 August.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8187694.stm |title=Cardiff 3–1 Dag & Red |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2009 |accessdate=11 August 2009}} He made two more appearances in the competition for Cardiff, in the second round win over Bristol Rovers and the third round defeat to Aston Villa. His league debut came nearly three months later when he replaced Riccardo Scimeca at half time during a 2–0 win over West Bromwich Albion on 8 December.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8390856.stm |title=West Brom 0–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2009 |accessdate=8 December 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091213095906/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8390856.stm| archivedate= 13 December 2009 | url-status= live}} He made his first start on 12 January 2010 in the FA Cup tie with rivals Bristol City,{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8451789.stm |title=Bristol City 1–1 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2010 |accessdate=12 January 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100114044009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8451789.stm| archivedate= 14 January 2010 | url-status= live}} and then made his first league start on 16 January against Scunthorpe United. During his next league appearance, Wildig scored the first professional goal of his career during a 5–1 defeat to Newcastle United.{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8495606.stm |title=Newcastle 5–1 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2010 |accessdate=5 February 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100206053039/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8495606.stm| archivedate= 6 February 2010 | url-status= live}}
He moved on loan to Scottish Premier League club Hamilton Academical on 25 January 2011 until the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Accies To Land Cardiff Starlet |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/6700035/ |publisher=Sky Sports |date=25 January 2011 |accessdate=25 January 2011}} He made his debut 4 days later in a 1–1 draw with Kilmarock{{cite news |title=Hamilton 1–1 Kilmarnock |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9378077.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2011 |accessdate=29 January 2011| archiveurl= https://archive.today/20110202091853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9378077.stm| archivedate= 2 February 2011 | url-status= live}} and made 3 more appearances before returning at the end of the season.
On 8 November 2011, he joined League Two side Shrewsbury Town on a loan.{{cite news|title=Wildig Joins Shrewsbury on Loan |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2509886,00.html |publisher=cardiffcityfc.co.uk |date=8 November 2011 |accessdate=8 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603000558/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2509886%2C00.html |archivedate=3 June 2012 }} He made his debut for the club on 12 November, in a FA Cup match against Newport County. He scored his first goal on 19 November, in a 7–2 win over Northampton Town, however he suffered an ankle injury in the following game, which kept him out for the rest of the month. He extended his loan by an extra month on 8 December.{{cite news|title=Wildig To Stay Another Month |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2541115,00.html |publisher=shrewsburytown.com |date=8 December 2011 |accessdate=8 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729232331/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10443~2541115%2C00.html |archivedate=29 July 2012 }} On 17 January 2012, Wildig extended the loan again till the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Wildig To Stay on Loan To Shrews |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2579942,00.html |publisher=cardiffcityfc.co.uk |date=17 January 2012 |accessdate=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603000603/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2579942%2C00.html |archivedate=3 June 2012 }} Following a late season surge in form, he impressed Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner and following the club's promotion to League One, Turner offered Wildig a contract at Shrewsbury.{{cite news|title=Gaffer Interested in Wildig |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2766727,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805210131/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2766727,00.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=5 August 2012 |publisher=shrewsburytown.com |date=11 May 2012 |accessdate=11 May 2012 }}
On 21 May 2012, Wildig was released by Cardiff along with six of his fellow players.{{cite news|title=Heaton Heads City Departure List |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2781326,00.html |publisher=cardiffcityfc.co.uk |date=21 May 2012 |accessdate=21 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524012714/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2781326%2C00.html |archivedate=24 May 2012 }} He had spent a total of four years at the club, but he was not part of the future plans of new manager Malky Mackay.
=Shrewsbury Town=
On 29 May 2012, Wildig agreed a deal to join Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer.{{cite news| title = Cardiff City Midfielder Aaron Wildig To Sign For Shrewsbury Town| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18250899 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 29 May 2012| accessdate = 29 May 2012}} He made his debut as a contracted Shrewsbury player on 11 August 2012, in a League Cup match against Leeds United, where he was a substitute for fellow former Cardiff City player Joe Jacobson.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19123956 |title=Leeds United 4–0 Shrewsbury |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2012 |accessdate=11 August 2012}} He went on to make 21 league appearances that season, scoring once against Bury.{{cite web| title = Bury 2–2 Shrewsbury| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20723104 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 21 December 2012 | accessdate = 21 December 2012}}
Wildig signed a one-year contract extension on 21 May 2013,{{cite news| title = Aaron Wildig Signs New One-Year Deal| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22612100 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 21 May 2013| accessdate = 21 May 2013}} and by playing an unspecified number of matches the following season triggered a clause to extend his contract for a further year.{{cite news|title=Aaron Wildig Onboard For Next Season |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/12may14-aaron-wildig-here-for-next-season-1548420.aspx |publisher=Shrewsweb |date=12 May 2014 |accessdate=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513083758/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/12may14-aaron-wildig-here-for-next-season-1548420.aspx |archivedate=13 May 2014 }} However, he went on loan to Kidderminster Harriers in January 2015 having not featured for Shrewsbury that season so far under new manager Micky Mellon.{{cite news|title=NEW SIGNING: Harriers sign midfielder Aaron Wildig on loan|url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/new-signing-harriers-sign-midfielder-aaron-wildig-on-loan-2213963.aspx|publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C.|date=19 January 2015|accessdate=19 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119203443/http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/article/new-signing-harriers-sign-midfielder-aaron-wildig-on-loan-2213963.aspx#|archive-date=19 January 2015|url-status=dead}}
Following the expiry of his loan, he returned to Shrewsbury Town, finally making his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute for Keith Southern in the 2–1 home defeat against Northampton Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31562755|title=Shrewsbury Town 1–2 Northampton Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 February 2015|accessdate=1 March 2015}} He then joined Morecambe on loan in March 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31986176|title=Morecambe: Danny Ward and Aaron Wildig join on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2015|accessdate=23 March 2015}}
It was announced on 8 May 2015 that Wildig would be released at the end of the season when his Shrewsbury contract expired.{{cite web|url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/05/08/shrewsbury-town-budget-holds-the-key-to-trios-future/|title=Town budget holds the key to trio's future|work=Shropshire Star|date=8 May 2015|accessdate=8 May 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510204614/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/05/08/shrewsbury-town-budget-holds-the-key-to-trios-future/|url-status=dead}}
=Morecambe=
Wildig joined former loan club Morecambe on a two-year contract on 6 June 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.morecambefc.com/news/article/wildig-signs-2484584.aspx|title=Wildig Signs|publisher=Morecambe F.C.|date=6 June 2015|accessdate=6 June 2015}} He signed a new one-year contract in June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48549470|title=Aaron Wildig: Morecambe midfielder signs one-year deal|date=6 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=Newport County=
After turning down a new contract with Morecambe, Newport County announced the signing of Wildig on 6 June 2022.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-06 |title=Aaron Wildig: Newport sign ex-Cardiff City midfielder from Morecambe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61710294 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He made his debut for Newport on 30 July 2022 in the starting line up for the 1–1 League Two draw against Sutton United.{{Cite news |date=2022-07-30 |title=Sutton United 1-1 Newport County: Omar Bogle scores on debut to secure point |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62275053 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Wildig scored his first goal for Newport on 24 August 2022 in the 3–2 EFL Cup second round win against Portsmouth.{{Cite news |date=2022-08-23 |title=Newport County 3-2 Portsmouth: James Waite winner sees Exiles continue Carabao Cup adventure |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62558270 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} In June 2024 Wildig signed a one-year contract extension with Newport.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-21 |title=Aaron Wildig: Midfielder signs one-year Newport extension |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cjkkd60g6vko |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
International career
Despite being born in England, Wildig instead chose to play for Wales and represented the Under-16 side.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dragonsoccer.co.uk/news-u16.htm |title=Wales Under 16 Football News |publisher=dragonsoccer.co.uk |accessdate=11 August 2009}} It was later discovered, however, that Wildig did not qualify for Wales as his only Welsh relative is a great-great-great-grandfather and the international ruling on familial linkage only allows qualification through a parent or grandparent.{{Cite web |url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/4879817.International_blow_for_Hereford_footballer/ |title=International Blow For Hereford Footballer |work=Hereford Times |date=31 January 2010 |accessdate=16 February 2010}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 12 December 2023}}
| 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 !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| rowspan="4"|Cardiff City
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|51976|2009|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=10 December 2013}} | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| 2010–11{{Soccerbase season|51976|2010|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=10 December 2013}}
|Championship | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011–12{{Soccerbase season|51976|2011|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=10 December 2013}}
|Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!13||1||4||0||4||0||0||0||21||1 | ||||||||||
| Hamilton Academical (loan) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 |
| rowspan="4"|Shrewsbury Town
|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|51976|2012|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=10 December 2013}} | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy|name=statsFLT}} | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2013–14{{Soccerbase season|51976|2013|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=10 December 2013}}
|League One | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=statsFLT}} | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| 2014–15{{Soccerbase season|51976|2014|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=9 July 2014}}
|League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!64||5||3||0||2||1||2||0||71||6 | ||||||||||
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | |||
| Morecambe (loan)
|League Two | 9 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="8"|Morecambe
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|51976|2015|name=Aaron Wildig|accessdate=15 August 2015}} |League Two | 32 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsFLT}} | 0 | 37 | 3 |
| 2016–17{{Soccerbase season|51976|2016|accessdate=14 August 2016}}
|League Two | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy|name=statsEFLT}} | 0 | 32 | 2 |
| 2017–18{{Soccerbase season|51976|2017|accessdate=12 August 2017}}
|League Two | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsEFLT}} | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| 2018–19{{Soccerbase season|51976|2018|accessdate=7 September 2019}}
|League Two | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsEFLT}} | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| 2019–20{{Soccerbase season|51976|2019|accessdate=7 September 2019}}
|League Two | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=statsEFLT}} | 1 | 33 | 4 |
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|51976|2020|accessdate=14 March 2021}}
|League Two | 37 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4{{efn|One appearance in the EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in the EFL League Two play-offs|name=statsEFLTPOF}} | 1 | 46 | 10 |
| 2021–22{{Soccerbase season|51976|2021|access-date=15 April 2023}}
|22 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=statsEFLT}} | 0 | 27 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!213||20||14||2||5||1||16||2||248||25 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3" |Newport County
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|51976|2022|access-date=15 April 2023}} |League Two |29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=statsEFLT}} | 0 | 32 | 4 | |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=51976|season=2023}}
|League Two |14 |0 |3 |0 |2 |1 |2{{Efn|name=statsEFLT}} |0 |21 |1 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!43 !3 !3 !0 !4 !2 !3 !0 !53 !5 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!340||29||25||2||15||4||21||2||401||37 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|88974}}
{{Newport County A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wildig, Aaron}}
Category:Footballers from Hereford
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Hamilton Academical F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Newport County A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players