Connor Ronan Explained

Connor Ronan
Fullname:Connor Patrick Ronan[1]
Birth Date:6 March 1998
Birth Place:Rochdale, England
Height:1.71m (05.61feet)[2]
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Colorado Rapids
Clubnumber:20
Youthyears1:–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
Caps8:52
Goals8:1
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:11:27, 12 August 2024 (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[3] 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.[4] He then joined Rochdale, his boyhood club in which he stayed until he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 16.[5] 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.[6] With Paul Lambert as manager, Ronan was part of the first-team squad for the first time on 26 November 2016,[7] 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.[8] [9]

On 31 August 2018, Ronan joined League One club Walsall on loan until January 2019 along with team-mate Connor Johnson.[10] Ronan returned to Wolves at the conclusion of his loan spell, making 15 appearances in all competitions for Walsall.[11]

He signed for League One club Blackpool on a six-month loan deal on 17 January 2020.[12] 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.[13] [14] 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.[15]

On 31 August 2021, Ronan sealed a season long loan to Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.[16] He made his debut in a 0–0 draw at home to Dundee United in September.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19]

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.[20]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers2016–17EFL Championship4020003191
2017–1830004070
2018–19Premier League00000000
2022–23Premier League10001020
Total80205031181
Portsmouth (loan)2017–18EFL League One160000010170
Walsall (loan)2018–19EFL League One110000040150
FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda (loan)Slovak Super Liga14100141
1402041191
Total2812041342
Blackpool (loan)2019–20EFL League One101101
Grasshoppers (loan)2020–21Swiss Challenge League30120321
St Mirren (loan)2021–22Scottish Premiership26731298
Colorado Rapids2023Major League Soccer3412020381
Career total163111105014219214

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists . Premier League . 26 June 2020 . 13 July 2020.
  2. Web site: Connor Ronan . Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. . 7 November 2022 .
  3. Web site: Copperpot JFC. Rochdale Online.
  4. Web site: Manchester United youngster Axel Tuanzebe 'born for greatness'. Samuel. Luckhurst. 11 November 2015. Manchester Evening News.
  5. News: Five Things We Have Learned About Connor Ronan. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 2 February 2015. 17 December 2016.
  6. News: Youngsters Make Progress In Cup. 8 November 2016. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 17 December 2016.
  7. News: Wolves 0 Sheffield Wednesday 2 - As it happened. 26 November 2016. 17 December 2016. Express & Star. MNA Media.
  8. News: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers. 17 December 2016. 17 December 2016. BBC Sport.
  9. News: Nottingham Forest 0 Wolves 2 - Report and pictures. 17 December 2016. 17 December 2016. Express & Star. MNA Media. Lambert did too. He sent on youngster Connor Ronan for his professional debut in place of Costa.
  10. Web site: Connor Johnson and Connor Ronan: Wolves duo join Walsall on loan . BBC Sport . 31 August 2018 . 1 September 2018 .
  11. Web site: Ronan Returns to Wolves. Walsall FC. 2 January 2019.
  12. Web site: Connor Ronan: Blackpool sign Wolves midfielder on loan . BBC Sport . 17 January 2020 . 17 January 2020 .
  13. Web site: Ronan agrees new contract. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 16 September 2020.
  14. News: GC Holt Dadashov und Ronan . Grasshopper Club Zurich . 23 August 2020. de.
  15. Web site: Connor Ronan to return to Wolves for treatment after breaking metatarsal . Express & Star . 13 May 2021. MNA Media . 15 May 2021 .
  16. Web site: Jim Goodwin aiming to bring one more in ahead of transfer deadline. St Mirren FC.
  17. Web site: St Mirren still winless after stalemate. 11 September 2021. BBC Sport.
  18. Web site: 'Oh my goodness... that is outstanding' - St Mirren's Ronan scores 30-yard wonder goal. 13 March 2022. BBC Sport.
  19. Web site: Colorado Rapids sign Connor Ronan from EPL's Wolverhampton Wanderers. MLSsoccer. 23 January 2023. 23 January 2023.
  20. Web site: Kenny names 25-man squad for Belgium & Lithuania. Football Association of Ireland. 18 March 2022. 24 March 2022.