Aden Baldwin
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Aden Baldwin
|image = Aden Baldwin 2024.jpg
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname = Aden William James Baldwin{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/august-2018.ashx |title=List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/08/2018 and 31/08/2018 |publisher=The Football Association |page=23 |accessdate=18 October 2019}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|6|10|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|height =
|position = Defender
|currentclub = Bradford City
|clubnumber = 15
|youthyears1 = 2012–2014
|youthclubs1 = Forest Green Rovers
|years1 = 2014–2016
|clubs1 = Forest Green Rovers
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2015
|clubs2 = → Bath City (loan)
|caps2 = 6
|goals2 = 1
|years3 = 2016–2021
|clubs3 = Bristol City
|caps3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2016–2017
|clubs4 = → Weston-super-Mare (loan)
|caps4 = 25
|goals4 = 2
|years5 = 2017
|clubs5 = → Weston-super-Mare (loan)
|caps5 = 11
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2018–2019
|clubs6 = → Cheltenham Town (loan)
|caps6 = 4
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2020
|clubs7 = → Eastleigh (loan)
|caps7 = 4
|goals7 = 0
|years8 = 2021–2022
|clubs8 = Milton Keynes Dons
|caps8 = 9
|goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2022–2024
|clubs9 = Notts County
|caps9 = 70
|goals9 = 1
|years10 = 2024–
|clubs10 = Bradford City
|caps10 = 32
|goals10 = 0
|club-update = 12:50, 26 April 2025 (UTC)
}}
Aden William James Baldwin (born 10 June 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|BradforC}} club Bradford City.
Club career
=Forest Green Rovers=
Baldwin joined Forest Green Rovers as a 15-year-old and combined football with education at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.{{cite web |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/14249546.forest-green-aden-baldwin-on-cloud-nine-after-move-to-bristol-city/ |title=FOREST GREEN: Aden Baldwin on cloud nine after move to Bristol City |last=Loveridge |first=Ashley |work=Stroud News & Journal |publisher=Newsquest |date=3 February 2016 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }} He made his debut for Forest Green against Cheltenham Town in the Gloucestershire Senior Challenge Cup in April 2014 before signing a professional contract at the end of the 2014–15 season. On 20 August 2015, Baldwin joined National League South club Bath City on a one-month loan deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/sport/13617150.forest-green-aden-baldwin-louis-mcgrory-make-loan-moves-to-bath-city-and-evesham-united/ |title=FOREST GREEN: Aden Baldwin, Louis McGrory make loan moves to Bath City and Evesham United |last=Loveridge |first=Ashley |work=Stroud News & Journal |publisher=Newsquest |date=20 August 2015 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }}
=Bristol City=
In January 2016, Baldwin signed for Championship side Bristol City on a two-and-a-half-year contract. On 12 October 2016, Baldwin joined National League South club Weston-super-Mare on a 93-day loan deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/sport/football/weston-super-mare-fc-sign-defender-on-loan-from-bristol-city-1-4733221 |title=Weston-super-Mare FC sign defender on loan from Bristol City |last=Robins |first=Sheridan |work=The Weston & Somerset Mercury |publisher=Archant |date=12 October 2016 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }} He rejoined Weston-super-Mare on loan for a further two-month period ahead of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/youth-quartet-loaned-out/ |title=Youth quartet loaned out |work=bcfc.co.uk |publisher=Bristol City F.C. |date=28 July 2017 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }}
In August 2018, he moved on loan to League Two club Cheltenham Town until January 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45057542 |title=Cheltenham Town sign Kalvin Lumbombo Kalala and Bristol City's Aden Baldwin |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=3 August 2018 |accessdate=3 August 2018}} His loan spell was cut short after he suffered a serious knee injury which ruled him out for four months against Milton Keynes Dons in October 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cheltenham-towns-bristol-city-loan-2127198 |title=Cheltenham Town's Bristol City loan defender set to miss four months after knee surgery |last=Palmer |first=Jon |work=Gloucestershire Live |publisher=Reach plc |date=19 October 2018 |accessdate=31 July 2020 }}
In February 2020, Baldwin signed a new contract with Bristol City until June 2021 with the option of a further year,{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/new-contract-and-loan-for-baldwin/ |title=New contract and loan for Baldwin |work=bcfc.co.uk |publisher=Bristol City F.C. |date=14 February 2020 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }} and joined National League side Eastleigh on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.eastleighfc.com/new-signing-aden-baldwin-signs-for-eastleigh-on-loan/ |title=New Signing {{!}} Aden Baldwin signs for Eastleigh on loan |work=eastleighfc.com |publisher=Eastleigh F.C. |date=14 February 2020 |accessdate=30 July 2020 }}
=Milton Keynes Dons=
On 13 July 2021, Baldwin joined League One side Milton Keynes Dons following his release from Bristol City.{{cite web|url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2021/july/baldwin-becomes-a-don/|title=Baldwin becomes a Don|website=www.mkdons.com|date=13 July 2021}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57826975|title=MK Dons bring in defender Baldwin|work=BBC Sport}} He made his debut for the club on 31 July 2021, in a 5–0 EFL Cup first round defeat away to Bournemouth.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57951131 |title=AFC Bournemouth 5-0 Milton Keynes Dons |publisher=BBC |date=31 July 2021 |access-date=2 March 2022 }} Having made 16 appearances for the club, Baldwin was later one of six players released at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2022/may/retained-list |title=Retained list |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons |date=18 May 2022 |access-date=18 May 2022 }}
=Notts County=
On 21 June 2022, Baldwin signed a two-year deal with National League club Notts County, effective from 1 July 2022.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/aden-baldwin-announcement-210622/ |title=Signing: Aden Baldwin |publisher=Notts County |date=21 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 }} On 7 May 2023 he scored his first and second goals for the club in a 3–2 win over Boreham Wood in the National League play-off semi-final,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/may/post-boreham-wood-baldwin-070523/|title=Post-Boreham Wood: Baldwin|website=www.nottscountyfc.co.uk}} and was described as a "big figure" in the club's promotion via the playoffs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/24797318.bradford-citys-aden-baldwin-ready-old-club-notts-county/?ref=rss|title=Happy coincidence as Baldwin builds up for Meadow Lane reunion|date=18 December 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}
He was released by the club at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/2023-24-retained-list-290424/|title=2023-24: Retained list|website=www.nottscountyfc.co.uk}}
=Bradford City=
Following the expiry of his Notts County contract, in May 2024 it was announced that he would sign for Bradford City on 1 July 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24357471.aden-baldwin-joins-bradford-city-notts-county-exit/|title=Count me in! Baldwin unveiled as City's fourth signing of the summer|date=31 May 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crggzd42920o|title=Aden Baldwin joins Bradford City after leaving Notts County|date=31 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}} Baldwin later praised Bradford manager Graham Alexander's transfer policy,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24371936.bradford-city-new-boy-backs-graham-alexander-transfer-policy/|title=City new boy Baldwin backs boss Alexander over minimalistic transfer approach|date=9 June 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} as well as the club's team spirit and culture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/24548464.aden-baldwin-says-bantams-together-season/?ref=rss|title=Creating right culture is key to success for Bantams defender Baldwin|date=29 August 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} He suffered a hamstring injury in August 2024,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24557875.graham-alexander-gives-bantams-injury-update-efl-trophy/?ref=rss|title=Defender injury update as Bantams boss recalls Trophy "stinger"|date=2 September 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} returning to training in November 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24739098.baldwin-pattison-start-training-bradford-city/?ref=rss|title=Double injury boost for Bantams as duo return to training|date=20 November 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} He made his first appearance following injury on 3 December 2024, appearing as a substitute.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/24770234.alex-pattison-aden-baldwin-feature-bradford-city-draw/?ref=rss|title=Bantams finally getting clean bill of health ahead of busy schedule|date=4 December 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} He later spoke about his friendship with Antoni Sarcevic who, like Baldwin, had joined Bradford City in the summer of 2024 but spent most of the start of the season injured.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/24774699.bradford-city-aden-baldwin-coping-long-term-injury/?ref=rss|title=Baldwin's bond with Sarcevic helps Bantams duo on long road to recovery|date=7 December 2024|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} Baldwin was a regular in the Bradford City team in the second half of the season, as they pushed for promotion,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/25041277.bradford-city-aden-baldwin-grounded-accrington-test/?ref=rss|title=Nothing changes for Baldwin as Bantams hunt top spot|date=29 March 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} although missed some matches towards the very end of the season due to illness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/25091577.bradford-city-aden-baldwin-hopes-fit-notts-county/?ref=rss|title=Why Bantams defender will never take Valley Parade for granted|date=16 April 2025|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus}} He also missed the last game of the season though suspension.{{cite web | url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/25185698.suspended-aden-baldwin-backed-win-bradford-city-fans/?ref=rss | title=Defender will get City fans back onside after moment of madness | date=27 May 2025 }}
Career statistics
{{updated|26 April 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baldwin, Aden}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Bath City F.C. players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:Eastleigh F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Notts County F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players