Connor Ronan
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1998)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Connor Ronan
| image =
| upright =
| caption =
| fullname = Connor Patrick Ronan{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |accessdate=13 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|3|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Rochdale, England
| height = {{convert|1.71|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Connor Ronan |publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. |access-date=7 November 2022 |url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/teams/mens-first-team/connor-ronan/}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Colorado Rapids
| clubnumber = 20
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2009
| youthclubs1 = Copperpot J.F.C.
| youthyears2 = 2009–2014
| youthclubs2 = Rochdale
| youthyears3 = 2014–2016
| youthclubs3 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
| years1 = 2016–2023
| clubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
| caps1 = 8
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2018
| clubs2 = → Portsmouth (loan)
| caps2 = 16
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018
| clubs3 = → Walsall (loan)
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → DAC Dunajská Streda (loan)
| caps4 = 28
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2020
| clubs5 = → Blackpool (loan)
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2020–2021
| clubs6 = → Grasshoppers (loan)
| caps6 = 30
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2021–2022
| clubs7 = → St Mirren (loan)
| caps7 = 27
| goals7 = 7
| years8 = 2023–
| clubs8 = Colorado Rapids
| caps8 = 72
| goals8 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2015
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2015–2017
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps3 = 8
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2017–2020
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps4 = 14
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| club-update = 19:07, 4 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
Connor Patrick Ronan (born 6 March 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids. Born in Rochdale, England, he plays for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Club career
Ronan started his career with Copperpot JFC{{Cite web|url=https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/copperpot-jfc/under-11s-win-bowlee-tournament|title=Copperpot JFC|work=Rochdale Online}} and attended St Cuthbert's RC High School in Rochdale with whom he reached the final of the English National Schools Cup as a Year 7 in 2009 with a team that also included Axel Tuanzebe, Kisimba Kisimba and Johny Diba, who all went on to become professional.{{Cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-youngster-axel-tuanzebe-10396435|title=Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe 'born for greatness'|first=Samuel|last=Luckhurst|date=11 November 2015|work=Manchester Evening News}} He then joined Rochdale, his boyhood club in which he stayed until he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 16.{{cite news|title=Five Things We Have Learned About Connor Ronan|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/five-things-we-have-learned-about-connor-ronan-2279740.aspx|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC|date=2 February 2015|accessdate=17 December 2016}} Ronan made three appearances for the team's development squad in the 2016–17 EFL Trophy, scoring a goal in their 4–0 win over EFL League Two team Accrington Stanley.{{cite news|title=Youngsters Make Progress In Cup|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/report-youngsters-make-progress-in-cup-3406677.aspx|date=8 November 2016|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC|accessdate=17 December 2016}} With Paul Lambert as manager, Ronan was part of the first-team squad for the first time on 26 November 2016,{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/11/26/wolves-vs-sheffield-wednesday-live/|title=Wolves 0 Sheffield Wednesday 2 - As it happened|date=26 November 2016|accessdate=17 December 2016|work=Express & Star|publisher=MNA Media}} as an unused substitute in the 2–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. Ronan made his debut on 17 December 2016, replacing Hélder Costa for the final nine minutes of the team's 2–0 win over Nottingham Forest.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38271717|title=Nottingham Forest 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers|date=17 December 2016|accessdate=17 December 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/12/17/nottingham-forest-0-wolves-2-report/soccer-sky-bet-championship-nottingham-forest-v-wolverhampton-wanderers-41/|title=Nottingham Forest 0 Wolves 2 - Report and pictures|date=17 December 2016|accessdate=17 December 2016|work=Express & Star|publisher=MNA Media|quote=Lambert did too. He sent on youngster Connor Ronan for his professional debut in place of Costa}}
On 31 August 2018, Ronan joined League One club Walsall on loan until January 2019 along with team-mate Connor Johnson.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45375788 |title=Connor Johnson and Connor Ronan: Wolves duo join Walsall on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2018 |accessdate=1 September 2018 }}
Ronan returned to Wolves at the conclusion of his loan spell, making 15 appearances in all competitions for Walsall.{{cite web|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2019/january/ronan-returns-to-wolves|title=Ronan Returns to Wolves|publisher=Walsall FC|date=2 January 2019}}
He signed for League One club Blackpool on a six-month loan deal on 17 January 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51150133 |title=Connor Ronan: Blackpool sign Wolves midfielder on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2020 |accessdate=17 January 2020 }} His playing time was however restricted to ten games after the League One clubs voted to curtail the season owing to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In August 2020, he signed a new contract – lasting until 2024 – with Wolves before again being sent out on loan, this time joining Swiss side Grasshoppers for the 2020–21 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-23/20200916-ronan-agrees-new-contract/|title=Ronan agrees new contract|publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC|date=16 September 2020}}{{cite news |title=GC Holt Dadashov und Ronan |url=https://www.gcz.ch/news/news/artikel/gc-holt-dadashov-und-ronan/ |publisher=Grasshopper Club Zurich |date=23 August 2020|language=de}} His would make his first appearance coming on as a substitute in the second half, in a 3–0 victory against FC Wil. Ronan's first goal for the Swiss club came in a 3–0 home win against Neuchâtel Xamax, when he scored the second goal in the 91st minute.
In May 2020, Ronan returned to his parent club for treatment, after breaking his metatarsal bone, ruling him out for up to four to five months.{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2021/05/13/connor-ronan-to-return-to-wolves-for-treatment-after-breaking-metatarsal/ |title=Connor Ronan to return to Wolves for treatment after breaking metatarsal |work=Express & Star |date=13 May 2021|publisher=MNA Media |accessdate=15 May 2021 }}
On 31 August 2021, Ronan sealed a season long loan to Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/4089-jim-goodwin-aiming-to-bring-one-more-in-ahead-of-transfer-deadline|title=Jim Goodwin aiming to bring one more in ahead of transfer deadline|publisher=St Mirren FC}} He made his debut in a 0–0 draw at home to Dundee United in September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58444922|title=St Mirren still winless after stalemate|date=11 September 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made a habit of scoring sensational long range goals throughout his spell at St. Mirren, including a 30-yard strike in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/60724676|title='Oh my goodness... that is outstanding' - St Mirren's Ronan scores 30-yard wonder goal|date=13 March 2022|publisher=BBC Sport}}
On 23 January 2023, Ronan signed a four-year deal with the Colorado Rapids in Denver. It will see him play through to the 2026 Major League Soccer season, with an additional club option for 2027.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/colorado-rapids-sign-connor-ronan-from-epl-s-wolverhampton-wanderers|title=Colorado Rapids sign Connor Ronan from EPL's Wolverhampton Wanderers|publisher=MLSsoccer|date=23 January 2023|access-date=23 January 2023}}
International career
Ronan has played at under 17, under 19 and under 21 level for the Republic of Ireland. Ronan was selected for the 2019 Toulon Tournament where he played in every match.
He was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania on 26 and 29 March 2022 respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/kenny-names-25-man-squad-for-belgium-lithuania|title=Kenny names 25-man squad for Belgium & Lithuania|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=18 March 2022|access-date=24 March 2022}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 29 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 !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Wolverhampton Wanderers
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|87731|2016|accessdate=2 September 2017}} |rowspan="2"|EFL Championship |4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=U23FLT|Appearances in the EFL Trophy with Wolverhampton Wanderers U23s}} | 1 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|87731|2017|accessdate=2 September 2017}}
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|87731|2018|accessdate=6 October 2018}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|87731|2022|accessdate=29 December 2022}}
|Premier League |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 1 | |
| Portsmouth (loan)
|16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| Walsall (loan)
|EFL League One |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda (loan)
|rowspan="2"|Slovak Super Liga |14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | |||
| 2019–20
|14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 1 | 19 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | 34 | 2 | ||
| Blackpool (loan)
|EFL League One |10 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 1 | ||||
| Grasshoppers (loan)
|30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 1 | |||
| St Mirren (loan)
|26 | 7 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 8 | |||
| rowspan="4"|Colorado Rapids
|2023 |34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in Leagues Cup|name=LC}} | 0 | 38 | 1 | ||
| 2024
|Major League Soccer |28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7{{efn|name=LC}} | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| 2025
|Major League Soccer |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!72 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | 83 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!201 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 275 | 15 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway}}
{{Colorado Rapids squad}}
{{FAI Under 17 International Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ronan, Connor}}
Category:Footballers from Rochdale
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Rochdale A.F.C. players
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Portsmouth F.C. players
Category:FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda players
Category:Slovak First Football League players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Grasshopper Club Zurich players
Category:St Mirren F.C. players
Category:Colorado Rapids players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Swiss Challenge League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Slovakia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Slovakia
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Premier League players