Aaron Splaine Explained

Aaron Splaine
Birth Date:13 October 1996
Birth Place:Spain[1]
Height:[2]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2008–2013
Youthclubs1:Queen of the South
Youthyears2:2013–2015
Youthclubs2:Kilmarnock
Years1:2015–2016
Caps1:8
Goals1:0
Clubs1:Kilmarnock
Years2:2017–2018
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Clubs2:Dunfermline Athletic
Years3:2018
Caps3:11
Goals3:1
Clubs3:Derry City
Years4:2019–2020
Caps4:34
Goals4:16
Clubs4:Europa Point
Years5:2020
Caps5:46
Goals5:22
Clubs5:Bruno's 23Magpies
Years6:2020–2021
Caps6:9
Goals6:0
Clubs6:Annan Athletic
Years7:2021–2022
Caps7:30
Goals7:2
Clubs7:Clyde
Club-Update:22:33, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

Aaron Splaine (born 13 October 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who most recently played as a midfielder for Clyde. He started his career as a youth player for Queen of the South and also played for Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic, Annan Athletic, Northern Irish side Derry City and Gibraltarian clubs Europa Point and Bruno's Magpies.

Career

Born in Spain, Splaine was brought up in Newton Stewart[1] and joined local side Queen of the South at youth level.[3] Splaine spent five years at Palmerston Park, before following the Doonhamers manager Allan Johnston to Kilmarnock when he took over as manager in 2013.[1]

Splaine made his debut in the penultimate Scottish Premiership match of the 2014–15 season, against Ross County at Rugby Park.[4] Although Kilmarnock lost the match 1–2, Splaine was praised for the composed way that he operated in midfield, with BBC Scotland correspondent Kenny Crawford describing him as looking like a "seasoned professional".[4] Splaine went on to make a further eight appearances for the club, before being released on 23 May 2016 along with five other players at the end of their contract.[5]

After six months away from football, Splaine subsequently had trials with Leeds United[6] and Burnley,[1] before signing a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic on 15 June 2017, joining up with former Doonhamers and Killie manager Allan Johnston.[7] Splaine started the season in-and-out of the first team, making his full league debut for the club versus Queen of the South in October.[8] Splaine suffered a season ending leg-break in a Fife Cup match against Burntisland Shipyard in November 2017,[9] and was released by the club in May 2018, following the end of his contract.[10]

After leaving Dunfermline, Splaine joined former Pars teammate Dean Shiels in signing for side Derry City.[11] Splaine scored on his debut for the club, in a 2–1 victory over Limerick.[12] He left the club at the end of the 2018 season. In August 2019, Splaine joined Europa Point in Gibraltar. He made his debut on 21 August in a 5–0 defeat to Lynx.[13]

After a spell with Bruno's Magpies, Splaine returned to Scottish football in August 2020 with Annan Athletic.[14] In June 2021, Splaine moved up a division to sign for Scottish League One club Clyde.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kilmarnock2014–15Scottish Premiership1000000010
2015–167000100080
Total8000100090
Dunfermline Athletic2017–18Scottish Championship70101030120
Derry City2018Premier Division111000000111
Annan Athletic2020–21Scottish League Two90003000120
Clyde2021–22Scottish League One302104010362
Career total653209040803

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aaron reunited with old boss . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 15 June 2017 . 15 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Aaron Splaine . FIFPlay . 23 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Schoolboy's Scotland dreams come true . The Galloway Gazette . Johnston Publishing Ltd . 23 December 2012 . 15 June 2017.
  4. Web site: Kilmarnock 1 – 2 Ross County . Kenny . Crawford . BBC Sport . BBC . 23 May 2015 . 15 June 2017.
  5. Web site: Kilmarnock FC: Club announce player departures as Lee Clark looks to re-build his squad . David . Wren . Daily Record . Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail . 23 May 2016 . 15 June 2016.
  6. Web site: Leeds United consider moves for Aaron Splaine, Jack Boyle and Mitja Krizan . Dan . Coombs . Here Is The City . Entrepreneur Limited . 12 February 2017 . 15 June 2017.
  7. Web site: Aaron Splaine signs . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 15 June 2017 . 15 June 2017.
  8. Web site: Queen of the South 0–0 Dunfermline . BBC Sport . BBC . 14 October 2017 . 22 March 2018.
  9. Web site: Dunfermline Athletic's Aaron Splaine suffers broken leg during Fife Cup tie with Burntisland Shipyard . Ross . Hart . Dunfermline Press . Newsquest . 23 November 2017 . 22 March 2018.
  10. Web site: Paton and Splaine depart . Dunfermline Athletic FC . 18 May 2018 . 18 May 2018.
  11. Web site: Premier Division: Derry City sign Aaron Splaine and Alistair Roy . BBC Sport . BBC . 6 July 2018 . 8 July 2018.
  12. Web site: League of Ireland: Derry City 2-1 Limerick . BBC Sport . BBC . 6 July 2018 . 8 July 2018.
  13. https://www.gibraltarfa.com/competitions/gibraltar-national-league-2019-1080347/match-report/europa-point-fc-lynx-fc-1083647 Europa Point 0-5 Lynx
  14. Web site: New signing: Aaron Splaine. 29 August 2020.
  15. Web site: New signing: Aaron Splaine . Clyde FC . 28 June 2021 . 28 June 2021.