Aden Flint
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aden Flint
| image = Aden Flint, Bristol City.jpg
| caption = Flint with Bristol City in 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|07|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Pinxton, England{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=540|edition=43rd}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Mansfield Town
| clubnumber = 14
| years1 = 2007–2008
| clubs1 = Pinxton
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2008–2011
| clubs2 = Alfreton Town
| caps2 = 67
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = → Matlock Town (loan)
| caps3 =
| goals3 =
| years4 = 2011–2013
| clubs4 = Swindon Town
| caps4 = 64
| goals4 = 4
| years5 = 2011
| clubs5 = → Alfreton Town (loan)
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2013–2018
| clubs6 = Bristol City
| caps6 = 209
| goals6 = 36
| years7 = 2018–2019
| clubs7 = Middlesbrough
| caps7 = 39
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2019–2022
| clubs8 = Cardiff City
| caps8 = 86
| goals8 = 10
| years9 = 2020–2021
| clubs9 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
| caps9 = 4
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2022–2023
| clubs10 = Stoke City
| caps10 = 9
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2023
| clubs11 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
| caps11 = 18
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2023–
| clubs12 = Mansfield Town
| caps12 = 65
| goals12 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2010
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 2 February 2025 (UTC)
}}
Aden Flint (born 11 July 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|MansfieT}} club Mansfield Town.
Club career
=Early career=
Flint began his career in the Central Midlands Football League with Pinxton before stepping up to the Conference North in the summer of 2008 when he joined Alfreton Town.{{cite web |date=4 February 2011 |title=Players Archive: Aden Flint |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/players,adenflint.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124211411/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/players,adenflint.htm |archive-date=24 January 2011 |access-date=4 February 2011 |work=Alfreton Town}} At Alfreton, Flint worked part-time tarmacking roads.{{cite web |title=From asphalt to Zlatan: Aden Flint's long road to facing Manchester United |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/19/aden-flint-bristol-city-manchester-united-zlatan-carabao-cup |website=The Guardian |date=19 December 2017 |access-date=6 August 2022}}
Flint spent three months of his debut season at Alfreton on loan with Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.{{cite web |title='Warrior' Aden Flint's nightshift memories, secret scout reviews and what makes him swear |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/warrior-aden-flints-nightshift-memories-14834558 |website=Teesside Live |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=6 August 2022}} The adverse weather prevented Flint from playing many games but he scored in the 5–0 victory over Leigh Genesis in January 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvleigh.html |title=Matlock Town v Leigh Genesis |date=24 January 2009 |work=Matlock Town |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024331/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvleigh.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }} The following month saw Flint play in the 1–1 draw against Ilkeston Town,{{cite web|url=http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvilkeston.html |title=Matlock Town 1–1 Ilkeston Town |date=14 February 2009 |work=Matlock Town |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024338/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvilkeston.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }} and scored an own goal in the 2–0 loss at Whitby Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.whitby-town.com/matlock_home_08.php|title=21st February 2009: Whitby Town 2–0 Matlock Town|date=21 February 2009|work=Whitby Town|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718041618/http://www.whitby-town.com/matlock_home_08.php|archive-date=18 July 2011|url-status=dead}} On 26 February 2009, Matlock manager Mark Atkins confirmed that Flint was among three players to have departed the club following the end of his loan.{{cite web|url=http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/news260209.html |title=Latest News – 26/02/09 |date=26 February 2009 |work=Matlock Town |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024345/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/news260209.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}
Flint spent the rest of his Alfreton career within its first team set-up helping reach the Conference North play-off final during the 2009–10 season where they lost 2–1 to Fleetwood Town.{{cite news |title=Fleetwood Town 2-1 Alfreton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8671042.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2010 |access-date=6 August 2022}} He impressed many visiting scouts with bids being turned down from Derby County, Luton Town and ten other clubs according to Alfreton chairman, Wayne Bradley.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/sport/sportheadlines/8805247.SWINDON__TOWN__Flint_set_for_County_Ground/|title=Flint set for County Ground|date=21 January 2011|work=Swindon Advertiser|access-date=4 February 2011}}
=Swindon Town=
In January 2011, Colchester United manager John Ward confirmed that his club had been in talks with Flint over a move to the Essex club. Ward also announced that Flint was scheduled to travel to Wiltshire the next day to discuss a possible move with Swindon Town with Danny Wilson.{{cite web|url=http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~2271339,00.html |title=Boss Eyes Defender Flint |date=25 January 2011 |work=Colchester United F.C. |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210082116/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C10424~2271339%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2011 }}
Days later Swindon Town announced the signing of Flint on a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract and was issued the number 16 shirt which had been recently made available after the departure of on-loan Manchester City forward David Ball.{{cite web|url=http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10341~2272422,00.html |title=Flint Completes Town Switch |date=27 January 2011 |work=Swindon Town F.C. |access-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124191759/http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10341~2272422%2C00.html |archive-date=24 January 2011 }}
Flint made his Swindon debut in the 1–1 draw with Rochdale and featured in the following fixture against Leyton Orient which resulted in a 3–0 loss for the Wiltshire club.
In March 2011, Flint returned to Alfreton Town on a loan until the end of the 2010–11 season. New Swindon manager Paul Hart was impressed with Flint's attitude in training but had decided to select more experienced players such as Andy Frampton instead.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Flint-joins-Alfreton-loan-bolster-title-hopes/article-3367825-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505073019/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Flint-joins-Alfreton-loan-bolster-title-hopes/article-3367825-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Flint re-joins Alfreton on loan to bolster their title hopes|date=24 March 2011|work=This is Nottingham|access-date=29 April 2011}} Upon rejoining Alfreton, Flint was immediately handed the captaincy and led the club to promotion from the Conference North.
On 6 August 2011, Flint scored his first goal against Crewe Alexandra. He was a consistent performer in Town's 2011–12 title winning season. Flint scored twice in a 3–0 win against Stevenage at the County Ground on 20 April. The victory secured Swindon's place in the 2012–13 League One play-off.
=Bristol City=
Flint signed for Bristol City on 11 June 2013 for a fee of £300,000. Due to a sell on clause his previous club Alfreton Town received 20% of the fee (£60,000).{{cite news|title=Aden Flint: Bristol City sign Swindon Town defender|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22847036|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 June 2013}} He made his debut on 3 August in a 2–2 draw against Bradford City at Ashton Gate.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474900 "Bristol City 2–2 Bradford City"] BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014. He scored his first goal for the club on 21 September in a 3–2 defeat to former club Swindon Town.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24089880 "Swindon Town 3–2 Bristol City"] BBC Sport. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014. On 8 February, he scored his second goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25994419 "Oldham Athletic 1–1 Bristol City"] BBC Sport. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014. He scored again in the following game three days later in a 3–1 win against Leyton Orient.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25817162 "Leyton Orient 1–3 Bristol City"] BBC Sport. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
Flint briefly sparked a hostile relationship with fans of his former team Swindon by stating in an interview that he did not wish for them to achieve promotion. On 3 May 2015, in the final game of the 2014–15 season (during which City won the league), he scored his first ever hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over Walsall, bringing his total for the season to 15.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471191 "Bristol City 8–2 Walsall"] BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
Aden Flint was awarded Player of the Year for the 2015–16 season,{{Cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/flint-lands-player-of-the-year-award-3085186.aspx |title=Flint lands Player of the Year award |access-date=26 October 2016 |archive-date=26 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026234415/http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/flint-lands-player-of-the-year-award-3085186.aspx |url-status=dead }} in which he helped Bristol City narrowly avoid relegation back to League One.
Flint featured in every game as Bristol City reached the semi-finals of the 2017–18 EFL Cup with wins over Premier League opponents Watford,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40932205|title=Watford 2–3 Bristol City|work=BBC Sport}} Stoke City,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41235275|title=Bristol City 2–0 Stoke City|work=BBC Sport}} Crystal Palace{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41647095|title=Bristol City 4–1 Crystal Palace|work=BBC Sport}} and Manchester United.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42334221|title=Bristol City 2–1 Manchester United|work=BBC Sport}} Flint scored in the semi-final defeat against Premier League leaders Manchester City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42698924|title=Bristol City 2–3 Manchester City (Agg: 3–5)|work=BBC Sport}}
=Middlesbrough=
On 27 June 2018, Flint joined Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m, signing on a four-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/aden-flint-becomes-boros-second-summer-signing|title = Aden Flint Becomes Boro's Second Summer Signing | Middlesbrough FC}}
=Cardiff City=
Flint joined Cardiff City on 19 July 2019 on a three-year contract{{cite news|title=Done Deal - Aden Flint is a Bluebird|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/done-deal--aden-flint-is-a-bluebird/|access-date=19 July 2019|work=Cardiff City F.C.|date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719133717/https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/done-deal--aden-flint-is-a-bluebird/|archive-date=19 July 2019|url-status=dead}} He made his debut on the opening day of the 2019–20 season in a 3–2 defeat to Wigan Athletic.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49135732 |title=Wigan Athletic 3–2 Cardiff City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019}} In his second appearance, he scored his first goal for the club, scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49214329 |title=Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=10 August 2019}}
Flint returned to Cardiff in January 2021 and became a key fixture of the side under new manager Mick McCarthy. He bagged his first goal following his return in a 1–0 victory over arch rivals Swansea City,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56383301|title=Flint gives Cardiff victory at Swansea|work=BBC Sport}} a goal which earned him cult status among City fans.
Flint began the 2021–22 season in fine form, scoring a late brace in an away match against newly-promoted Peterborough United to salvage a 2–2 draw for the Bluebirds. Flint doubled his tally a week later, grabbing another brace in a 3–1 home victory over Millwall. This briefly placed him atop the Championship's goalscoring charts. Flint announced on social media at the end of the 2021–22 season that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61534307|title=Aden Flint: Centre-back announces Cardiff City exit|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2022|accessdate=22 May 2022}} On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Flint would leave the club when his contract expired on 30 June.{{cite web |title=2021/22 Retained List {{!}} Cardiff |url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/202122-retained-list |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk |language=en}}
==Sheffield Wednesday (loan)==
On 16 October 2020, Flint joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan.{{cite web |title=Aden Flint completes Owls loan switch|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/wednesday-complete-aden-flint-loan-switch/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=16 October 2020}} He made his debut the day later, starting away to Birmingham City, helping to keep a clean sheet.{{cite web |title=Report: Birmingham 0-1 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/report-birmingham-0-1-wednesday/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=17 October 2020}} During the game away to Rotherham United, Flint would pick up a hamstring injury which would require surgery which would rule him out for a "few weeks minimum" according to manager Garry Monk.{{cite web |title=Owls suffer Flint blow|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/owls-suffer-flint-blow/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=4 November 2020}} He wouldn't play for Sheffield Wednesday again as his loan would be cut short on 4 January 2021.{{cite web |title=Flint returns to Cardiff|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2021/january/flint-returns-to-cardiff/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=4 January 2021}}
=Stoke City=
On 15 June 2022, Flint joined Stoke City a one-year contract.{{cite news |title=Aden Flint: Stoke City sign former Cardiff City defender |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61812543 |access-date=15 June 2022}} After playing in nine matches at the start of the season, Flint quickly fell out of favour with Alex Neil and was released by Stoke at the end of the 2022–23 season, his final appearance coming in a 4–0 home loss to Watford.{{cite news |title=Stoke City: Phil Jagielka, Morgan Fox & Nick Powell among seven released |work=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65551664 |access-date=11 May 2023}}
==Return to Sheffield Wednesday==
On 27 January 2023, Flint re-joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Aden Flint completes Owls return|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/aden-flint-completes-owls-return/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC|date=27 January 2023}} He made his second-debut against Fleetwood Town the following day coming off the bench.{{cite news|title=Aden Flint transfer verdict delivered by Darren Moore after Sheffield Wednesday loan signing|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/aden-flint-sheffield-wednesday-moore-26099371|publisher=YorkshireLive|date=28 January 2023}}
=Mansfield Town=
On 3 August 2023, Flint signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on an initial one-year deal with the option for a further season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2023/august/stags-sign-experienced-defender/|title=Stags sign experienced defender|website=www.mansfieldtown.net|date=3 August 2023|access-date=3 August 2023}} He was a member of the Mansfield squad that earned promotion in third place, and was subsequently named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.
International career
Flint's form at Alfreton Town during the early 2010–11 campaign earned him his first international call-up when Paul Fairclough named his within his 16-man England C squad for the friendly with Wales national semi-professional football team. He played the first 45 minutes in the 2–2 draw at Latham Park in Newtown, Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2010/WalesvEnglandC|title=Fairclough's food for thought|date=15 September 2010|work=The FA|access-date=4 February 2011}}
Flint was capped for a second and final time in October 2010 when he played the entire 90 minutes of England C's 1–0 away win at the Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn against an Estonia U-23's in the International Challenge Trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2010/Estonia121010|title=England C into ICT semis
|date=12 October 2010|work=The FA|access-date=4 February 2011}}
When Flint signed for Swindon Town in January 2011, he became ineligible for selection for the England C squad so was unable to make the final squad for the International Challenge Trophy.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c|title=England C|date=12 October 2010|work=The FA|access-date=4 February 2011}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 27 April 2024}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Alfreton Town
- Conference North: 2010–11{{Cite web |date=23 April 2011 |title=Alfreton Town 4–0 Redditch United |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/redditchunitedreport230411.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427165115/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/redditchunitedreport230411.htm |archive-date=27 April 2011 |website=Alfreton Town FC}}
Swindon Town
Bristol City
Mansfield Town
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2023–24
Individual
- Football League One Player of the Month: March 2015
- PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 League One,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32474398 |title=League One Team of the Year: Five Bristol City players selected |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2015 |access-date=8 May 2018}} 2023–24 League Two{{cite news |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-league-two-team-of-the-year-2024 |title=PFA League Two Team of the Year |website=PFA |date=20 August 2024 |access-date=24 August 2024}}
- Bristol City Player of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16{{cite web|title=Club Records – Brisol City|url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/fanzone/club-history/club-records/|access-date=10 November 2023|archive-date=25 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725204026/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/fanzone/club-history/club-records/|url-status=dead}}
- Football League/EFL Championship Player of the Month: February 2016, September 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/october/september-award-winners-gallery/ |title=September Award Winners Gallery|date=6 October 2017 |publisher=EFL}}
- EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2023–24{{cite news |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/14/see-who-made-the-efl-team-of-the-season/ |title=See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups |website=EFL |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Mansfield Town F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{2014–15 Football League One PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2023–24 EFL League Two Team of the Season}}
{{2023–24 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Bristol City F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Mansfield Town F.C. player of the season}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Flint, Aden}}
Category:Footballers from Derbyshire
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Matlock Town F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Northern Premier League players