Rolando Aarons
{{short description|Jamaican footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rolando Aarons
| image = Newcastle United vs Watford, 19 September 2015 (17).JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Aarons with Newcastle United in 2015
| fullname = Rolando Aarons{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Wycombe Wanderers |publisher=English Football League |page=77 |accessdate=28 October 2019}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|11|16|df=y}}{{cite news|title=Rolando Aarons|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/AcademyPlayerProfile/0,,10278~2825528,00.html|publisher=Newcastle United FC|access-date=18 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218015253/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/AcademyPlayerProfile/0,,10278~2825528,00.html|archive-date=18 February 2014}}
| birth_place = Kingston, Jamaica
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Celje
| clubnumber = 17
| youthyears1 = 2009–2012
| youthclubs1 = Bristol City
| youthyears2 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs2 = Newcastle United
| years1 = 2014–2021
| clubs1 = Newcastle United
| caps1 = 22
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2018
| clubs2 = → Hellas Verona (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018
| clubs3 = → Slovan Liberec (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2019–2020
| clubs5 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2020
| clubs6 = → Motherwell (loan)
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2021–2023
| clubs7 = Huddersfield Town
| caps7 = 11
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2022
| clubs8 = → Motherwell (loan)
| caps8 = 2
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2024–
| clubs9 = Celje
| caps9 = 16
| goals9 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015
| nationalteam1 = England U20
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2022
| nationalteam2 = Jamaica
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 30 December 2024
}}
Rolando Aarons (born 16 November 1995) is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a winger for Slovenian PrvaLiga club Celje. He has had previous loan spells with Hellas Verona in Italy, Slovan Liberec in the Czech Republic and Scottish club Motherwell, and in England with Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers.
Club career
= Newcastle United =
Aarons joined Newcastle United in 2012 after being released by his home town club Bristol City.{{cite news|last1=Cameron|first1=Neil|title=Newcastle United star Rolando Aarons' fightback after being dumped Bristol City shows real character|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-star-rolando-aarons-7738632|access-date=10 September 2014|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|date=9 September 2014}} He made his reserve team debut on 8 February 2013 against Stoke City and scored in his second reserve game against Crystal Palace 17 days later.{{cite news|title=Reserves Fixtures 2012/13|url=http://www.nufc.com/html/2012-13html/reserves-prem.html|publisher=Newcastle United FC|date=15 July 2013|access-date=6 January 2014}}
Aarons travelled with the Newcastle squad to their game against Fulham. He was not included in the matchday squad as the Magpies lost 1–0. Reserves teammate Ľubomír Šatka also travelled with the squad for the first time.
On 1 April 2014, Aarons signed a professional contract with Newcastle United.{{cite press release | url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20140401/aarons-pens-professional-deal_2281670_3743603 | title=Aarons Pens Professional Deal | publisher=Newcastle United | date=1 April 2014 | access-date=1 April 2014}}
==2014–15 season==
Aarons had an impressive pre-season prior to the 2014–15 season, scoring one goal and creating one assist in the 2014 Schalke 04 Cup against Bundesliga team Schalke. Shortly after, he was allocated the number 16 shirt.{{cite press release | url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20140807/squad-numbers-announced_2281670_4058068 | title=Squad Numbers Announced | publisher=Newcastle United | date=7 August 2014 | access-date=7 August 2014}} On 17 August 2014, he made his Premier League debut in their first match of the campaign, replacing Yoan Gouffran for the final 16 minutes of a 2–0 home defeat to Manchester City.{{cite news|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Saj|title=Newcastle 0–2 Man City|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28730044|access-date=17 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|date=17 August 2014}} He scored his first senior goal in the 3–3 draw with Crystal Palace on 30 August. He also set up teammate Mike Williamson for Newcastle's third goal in the same match, striking the post with his own effort. His contribution to the match was described by The Guardian as "thrillingly incisive".{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Louise|title=Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha scores last-gasp equaliser at Newcastle|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/30/newcastle-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report|access-date=30 August 2014|work=The Guardian|date=30 August 2014}} Aarons came back from England U20 duty with a hamstring injury; scans in mid-September determined that it would take around six weeks for the injury to heal.{{cite news|last1=Ryder|first1=Lee|title=Injury woes for Newcastle United as Rolando Aarons could be out for longer than feared|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/injury-woes-newcastle-united-rolando-7778368|access-date=18 September 2014|newspaper=Evening Chronicle|date=16 September 2014}} On 29 October, Aarons returned from injury to score his second goal for the club in the fourth round of the League Cup, opening the scoring in Newcastle's 2–0 away victory over holders Manchester City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29718452 |title=Holders Manchester City were knocked out of the League Cup as a youthful Newcastle side earned the club's first win in 12 attempts at Etihad Stadium. |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=29 October 2014 }} In early November, Aarons suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, ruling him out for another month.{{cite news|last1=Starforth|first1=Miles|title=Rolando Aarons blow for Newcastle|url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rolando-aarons-blow-for-newcastle-1-6946258|access-date=11 November 2014|work=Shields Gazette|date=11 November 2014|archive-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114211048/http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rolando-aarons-blow-for-newcastle-1-6946258|url-status=dead}}
==Loans==
In 2018, Aarons spent time out on loan with Hellas Verona under Fabio Pecchia, Benítez's former assistant at Newcastle, and Slovan Liberec.{{cite news|title=Aarons completes loan move|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/aarons-completes-loan-move|access-date=7 September 2018|work=Newcastle United F.C.|date=7 September 2018}} After 13 appearances in all competitions for the Czech side, he returned to Newcastle in December 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/12/newcastle-united-official-announcement-confirms-rolando-aarons-is-on-his-way-back/|title=Newcastle United official announcement confirms Rolando Aarons is on his way back|website=themag.co.uk|date=17 December 2018|access-date=18 December 2018}} On 31 January 2019, deadline day for the winter transfer window, he signed for Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/11624144/west-brom-loan-jacob-murphy-sheffield-wednesday-sign-rolando-aarons-and-achraf-lazaar|title=Newcastle Trio Leave on Loan|publisher=Sky Sports|date=31 January 2019|access-date= 31 January 2019}}
Aarons signed for Wycombe Wanderers on 2 September 2019 on a short-term loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/news/2019/september/ainsworth-swoops-for-newcastle-starlet/|title=Ainsworth swoops for Newcastle starlet|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|date=2 September 2019|access-date= 2 September 2019}} The loan spell came to an end on 12 January 2020.{{cite web|title=Newcastle United winger Rolando Aarons ends loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-winger-rolando-aarons-17554582|publisher=ChronicleLive|last=Ryder|first=Lee|date=12 January 2020|access-date=5 February 2020}}
On 31 January 2020, Aarons moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Motherwell for the remainder of the season. But on 31 May 2020 Aarons's loan spell ended with the Scottish outfit.{{cite web|title=Motherwell: James Scott deal done as Newcastle's Rolando Aarons joins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51335163|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2020|access-date=5 February 2020}}
= Huddersfield Town =
On 7 January 2021, Aarons signed for Huddersfield Town on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web|last=Threlfall-Sykes|first=David|date=7 January 2021|title=TRANSFER: ROLANDO AARONS ARRIVES FROM NEWCASTLE!|url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2021/january/transfer-rolando-aarons-arrives-from-newcastle/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=www.htafc.com|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|date=7 January 2021|title=Aarons joins Huddersfield Town|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/aarons-joins-huddersfield-town/|access-date=2021-01-08|website=Newcastle United Football Club|language=en}} He made his debut for the club two days later in a 3–2 FA Cup Third Round loss to Plymouth Argyle, coming off the substitutes' bench to replace Pat Jones.{{Cite web|last=Partington|first=Mikey|date=9 January 2021|title=REPORT: TOWN 2-3 PLYMOUTH|url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2021/january/report-town-2-3-plymouth/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-18|website=www.htafc.com|language=en-gb}} A week later, he made his Championship debut for Huddersfield, playing 62 minutes in a 2–1 defeat to Watford, before being replaced by Jones.{{Cite web|last=Partington|first=Mikey|date=16 January 2021|title=REPORT: WATFORD 2-0 TOWN|url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2021/january/report-watford-2-0-town/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-18|website=www.htafc.com|language=en-gb}}
==Motherwell (loan)==
On 30 August 2022, Aarons returned to Motherwell on loan having spent time with the club in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2022/08/30/rolando-aarons-joins-on-loan/|title=Rolando Aarons joins on loan|website=www.motherwellfc.co.uk|date=30 August 2022|accessdate=31 August 2022}} On 2 November 2022, his loan was cancelled due to injury.{{cite news |title=Motherwell cut short Aarons loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c06x2zr037ko |access-date=25 October 2022 |publisher=BBC |date=2 November 2022}}
= Celje =
On 8 January 2024, Aarons signed for NK Celje as a free agent. He made his debut against Dinamo Zagreb on 13 January 2024, which Celje lost 2–0 to Dinamo Zagreb.
International career
Aarons is eligible to represent either England or Jamaica at international level.{{cite news|last1=Douglas|first1=Mark|title=Newcastle United youngster Roland Aarons wanted by Championship clubs – and Jamaica|url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-youngster-roland-aarons-7585326|newspaper=The Journal|access-date=28 August 2014|date=9 August 2014|archive-date=11 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811182212/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-youngster-roland-aarons-7585326|url-status=dead}} In August 2014, he received his first call-up to the England U20 team, marking his debut with the opening goal in a 6–0 friendly match win over Romania on 5 September.{{cite web|title=Aidy Boothroyd names U20 squad to face Romania|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2014/aug/boothroyd-names-his-first-u20-squad|publisher=The FA|access-date=28 August 2014|date=28 August 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Jamie|title=Boothroyd's boys hit Romania for six in Telford|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2014/sep/england-v-romania-u20-match-report-050914|publisher=The FA|access-date=5 September 2014|date=5 September 2014}} His club manager Alan Pardew confirmed that, despite interest from Jamaica, he intended to pursue an international future within the England set-up.{{cite news|last=Starforth|first=Miles|title=Rolando Aarons will target England future, says Newcastle United boss at the time Alan Pardew |url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/rolando-aarons-will-target-england-future-says-newcastle-united-boss-alan-pardew-1-6811613|newspaper=Shields Gazette|date=29 August 2014|access-date=30 August 2014}}
In May 2022, he received his first call-up to the Jamaica squad for their CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Suriname and Mexico.{{cite web|title=JUNE 2022 INTERNATIONAL BREAK: CALL-UPS |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2022/may/june-2022-international-break-call-ups/|publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|date=30 May 2022|access-date=31 May 2022}} He would make his debut as a substitute against Suriname on 7 June 2022 at Kingston National Stadium.
Style of play
Aarons operates on the outside of midfield or as a winger, usually on the left side. He is left-footed and known for his injections of pace and technical ability.{{cite news|title=Rolando Aarons seeks a reward for his sterling effort at Newcastle|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/529614/Rolando-Aarons-seeks-a-reward-for-his-sterling-effort-at-Newcastle|newspaper=Daily Express|access-date=5 November 2014|date=31 October 2014}} He has been compared to Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling in his playing style and in his descent; both are Jamaican-born English players.
Personal life
Aarons was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and migrated to England at the age of five to join his mother, who was living in Bristol.{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-brightest-best-freddie-8793133|title=Newcastle United's brightest and best: Freddie Woodman and Rolando Aarons aiming for the stars|first=Mark|last=Douglas|date=8 March 2015}} He is the cousin of former Norwich City and current Bournemouth player Max Aarons.{{Cite news|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/ncfc-max-aarons-1-5678948|title=Rapid rise continuing for Canaries prospect Aarons after derby debut|last=Freezer|first=David|work=Eastern Daily Press|access-date=2018-09-04}}
In April 2018, Aarons arrived to the Newcastle Crown Court due to violent disorder; he pleaded guilty and was given a 10-month suspended sentence and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.{{Cite web |last=Riddell |first=Kathryn |last2=Graham |first2=Hannah |date=2018-05-22 |title=Rolando Aarons sentenced for Livello brawl LIVE |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/rolando-aarons-sentencing-live-update-14688893 |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Chronicle Live |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|9 March 2024}}{{Soccerway|rolando-aarons/360019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Club statistics | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="8"|Newcastle United
|rowspan="2"|Premier League |4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16
|10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|rowspan="4"|Premier League |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 1 | ||
| 2018–19
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!22||2||0||0||5||2||0||0||27||4 | ||||||||||
| Hellas Verona (loan)
|11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 11 | 0 | |||
| Slovan Liberec (loan)
|12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 0 | |||
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
|EFL Championship |9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 1 | ||
| Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
|10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 2 | |
| Motherwell (loan)
|6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="4" |Huddersfield Town
| rowspan="3" |EFL Championship |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total||11||0||0||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||0
!0 | ||||||||||
| Motherwell (loan)
|2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| NK Celje
|3 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!86 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 98 | 8 |
=International=
{{Updated|15 June 2022}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!National Team !Year !Apps !Goals |
| Jamaica
|2022 |2 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!2 !0 |
|---|
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20141125233728/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/PlayerProfile/0%2C%2C10278~70217%2C00.html Newcastle United F.C. profile]
- [http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players?p=356858 Rolando Aarons profile] at the Football Association
- {{Soccerway}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{NK Celje squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aarons, Rolando}}
Category:Footballers from Kingston, Jamaica
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Jamaican men's footballers
Category:21st-century Jamaican sportsmen
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent
Category:Jamaican emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Newcastle United F.C. players
Category:Hellas Verona FC players
Category:FC Slovan Liberec players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Czech Republic
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:Czech First League players