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Lewis Ferguson
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Lewis Ferguson (born 24 August 1999) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Serie A club Bologna, whom he captains, and the Scotland national team.
Key Information
After playing youth football for Rangers and Hamilton Academical, Ferguson made his senior debut for the latter club in the 2017–18 season. After four seasons with Aberdeen he moved to Italian club Bologna in 2022.
A Scotland youth international, Ferguson made his senior debut in 2021.
Early life
[edit]Lewis Ferguson was born on 24 August 1999 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.[2]
Club career
[edit]Hamilton Academical
[edit]Ferguson is a graduate of the Hamilton Academical youth system[3] after earlier being part of the setup at Rangers.[4][5] He made his senior debut for Hamilton on 20 January 2018,[6] and became a regular in the team in the latter part of the 2017–18 season, replacing Greg Docherty who had moved to Rangers.[7]
With his contract due to expire at the end of that season, Ferguson signed a pre-contract agreement with Aberdeen in May 2018.[7][8] He was one of seven first-team players who left Hamilton at the end of the 2017–18 season.[9]
Aberdeen
[edit]Ferguson made his competitive debut for Aberdeen on 26 July 2018, in the first leg of a Europa League tie against Burnley at Pittodrie Stadium.[10][11] He scored his first senior goal in the second leg at Turf Moor – a "stunning overhead kick" – although Burnley eventually won the tie on aggregate after extra time.[12] On 28 October, he helped Aberdeen to reach the 2018 Scottish League Cup Final by scoring the only goal of the semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park.[13] By the end of the calendar year, he had also scored three league goals, all in the closing minutes of each fixture, with two of them (a free kick against Kilmarnock[14] and another overhead kick against Livingston)[15] winning the matches for his team.
In February 2019, Ferguson extended his contract with Aberdeen, keeping him at the club until 2024.[16] In April, he played at Hampden Park again, but this time was sent off for a dangerous challenge as Aberdeen lost to Celtic in the semi-final of the 2018–19 Scottish Cup.[17] In May 2019, he was nominated for the season's PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year; the award was won by Ryan Kent.[18]
Ferguson was the club's top scorer during the 2020–21 season, with 10 goals in 41 appearances.[19] Aberdeen rejected an offer from Watford for Ferguson in May 2021, after which he submitted a written transfer request.[19]
Bologna
[edit]On 12 July 2022, Italian club Bologna announced the signing of Ferguson for an undisclosed transfer fee.[20][21] He made his debut as a substitute in a 2–0 away defeat to Milan on 27 August 2022,[22] and made two more substitute appearances before his first start against Napoli on 16 October.[23] His first goal came a week later, the second in a 2–0 win at home to Lecce, and he scored again the following week – the equaliser in a 2–1 away win over Monza.[22] On 12 November 2022, he scored Bologna's third goal in a 3–0 win over Sassuolo, a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area after a one-two with Nicolás Domínguez that was later named the Serie A goal of the month for November 2022.[24][25] Ferguson started 28 games for Bologna during the 2022–23 season as they finished ninth in Serie A.[26] He scored seven goals during the season, which was the highest tally by a Scottish player in an Italian league season since Denis Law played for Torino in 1961–62.[26]
In July 2023, Ferguson signed a new contract with Bologna that is due to run until the end of the 2026–27 season.[26] In October 2023 he became Bologna's captain,[27][28] and he continued in that role,[29][30][31] until suffering a knee injury in April 2024.[32][33] He later said it would be six or seven months before he could re-start training.[34]
Ferguson became the top Scottish goalscorer in Serie A history on 23 December 2023, overtaking Denis Law, when he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Atalanta.[35] He was named the Serie A midfielder of the year for the 2023–24 season.[36]
On 29 October 2024, Ferguson was named in a matchday squad for the first time in over six months, remaining on the bench as Bologna beat Cagliari 2–0.[37] He said that "the Scottish mentality" helped him recover from his injury quicker than expected.[38] He made his return to the pitch in Bologna's 1–0 win over Lecce on 2 November, coming on as an 82-minute substitute for Remo Freuler.[39] Later that month, he extended his Bologna contract until 2028[40] and made his UEFA Champions League debut against Lille, in which he played a full 90 minutes for the first time in over seven months.[41]
Ferguson captained Bologna to their first final in 51 years, beating Empoli 2–1 (5–1 on aggregate), on 30 April 2025 to reach the Coppa Italia final.[42][43] Ferguson was captain again winning the final 1–0 versus Milan on 14 May 2025.[44] Ferguson emulated Graeme Souness to become the second Scotsman to win the Coppa Italia.[45]
International career
[edit]Ferguson was called up by the Scotland under-19 team in August 2017,[46] and he went on to make appearances at the under-19, under-20 and Scotland under-21 levels.[47] Ferguson received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad in August 2021 for games against Denmark, Moldova and Austria.[48] He made his debut against Denmark on 1 September 2021 in a 2–0 away loss, coming on for Billy Gilmour in added time.[49]
He suffered a knee injury in April 2024 which required surgery and put his participation at Euro 2024 into doubt.[32][33] After missing the tournament due to injury, he said his "time would come" with the national team.[50] He was recalled by the national team in March 2025.[51]
In October 2025 Ferguson scored his first goal in a full international, the second goal in a 3–1 win against Greece during 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.[52]
Personal life
[edit]Lewis is the son of Derek Ferguson and nephew of Barry Ferguson, both former professional footballers with clubs including Rangers, and the Scotland national team.[53] His cousin Kyle Ferguson is also a footballer (they were teammates as children in the Rangers academy).[5]
He and his partner welcomed their first child, a daughter, in November 2022.[54][55] Another daughter was born in 2025.[56]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of match played 19 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hamilton Academical U20s | 2016–17[2] | — | — | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2017–18[2] | — | — | — | — | 1[c] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Hamilton Academical | 2017–18[6] | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | ||
| Aberdeen | 2018–19[10] | Scottish Premiership | 33 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2[d] | 1 | — | 44 | 8 | |
| 2019–20[57] | Scottish Premiership | 28 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[d] | 1 | — | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2020–21[58] | Scottish Premiership | 35 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[d] | 1 | — | 41 | 10 | ||
| 2021–22[59] | Scottish Premiership | 36 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[e] | 4 | — | 45 | 16 | ||
| Total | 132 | 27 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 37 | ||
| Bologna | 2022–23 | Serie A | 32 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 33 | 7 | |||
| 2023–24 | Serie A | 31 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 33 | 6 | ||||
| 2024–25 | Serie A | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 5[f] | 0 | — | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2025–26 | Serie A | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 9[d] | 0 | 2[g] | 0 | 31 | 1 | ||
| Total | 97 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 121 | 15 | ||
| Career total | 242 | 42 | 24 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 31 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 306 | 52 | ||
- ^ Includes Scottish Cup, Coppa Italia
- ^ Includes Scottish League Cup
- ^ a b Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
- ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearances in Supercoppa Italiana
International
[edit]- As of match played 18 November 2025[47]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 21 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ferguson goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 October 2025 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | [52] |
Honours
[edit]Bologna
Individual
References
[edit]- ^ "Lewis Ferguson".
- ^ a b c "L. Ferguson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Departures". Hamilton Academical Website. Hamilton Academical F.C. 17 May 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Galindo, Alan (11 November 2024). "Lewis Ferguson opens up on heartbreaking Rangers exit and his gnawing pain". Daily Record.
- ^ a b "Youth Player Under 11s Team Group – Murray Park". Rangers Pics. 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Lewis Ferguson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Aberdeen: Lewis Ferguson agrees pre-contract move from Hamilton". BBC Sport. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
- ^ Macrae, Daryn (4 June 2018). "Hamilton want £900k from Aberdeen for Lewis Ferguson". STV. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Fowler, Craig (14 May 2018). "Hamilton Accies announce departure of seven first-team players". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Lewis Ferguson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ English, Tom (26 July 2018). "Aberdeen 1–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ McLaughlin, Chris (2 August 2018). "Burnley 3–1 Aberdeen: Premier League side progress 4–2 on aggregate". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
- ^ "No Scottish League Cup final for Gerrard as Ferguson sends Aberdeen through". The Guardian. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Kilmarnock 1–2 Aberdeen: Lewis Ferguson the hero again as Dons come from behind". The Scotsman. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ Davie, Scott (11 December 2018). "Aberdeen 3–2 Livingston: Lewis Ferguson nets overhead-kick winner". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Aberdeen: Lewis Ferguson signs two-year contract extension until 2024". BBC Sport. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ "Scottish Cup Semi-final (2): Aberdeen 0 Celtic 3". Hampden Park. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- ^ "Player of the Year: Old Firm quartet vie for PFA Scotland top prize". BBC Sport. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Aberdeen: Lewis Ferguson hands in transfer request after bid". BBC Sport. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson joins Bologna". BolognaFC.it. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "Ferguson completes move to Bologna from Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 12 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Lewis Ferguson on scary Bologna stardom as Scotland star opens up on Serie A 'wow' factor". Daily Record. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ McDougall, Mark (16 October 2022). "Lewis Ferguson given first Serie A start as ex Aberdeen man handed Bologna chance vs Napoli". footballscotland. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Sked, Joel (14 November 2022). "Lewis Ferguson: Serie A stand-out, Thiago Motta favourite, Bologna chant, perfect Scotland opportunity". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ "Goal of the Month". Lega Serie A. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Lewis Ferguson: Bologna extend Scotland midfielder's contract until 2027". BBC Sport. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ McDougall, Mark (1 October 2023). "Lewis Ferguson's Bologna reputation grows as ex Aberdeen star named captain". Football Scotland.
- ^ Shanks, Ciaran (1 October 2023). "Lewis Ferguson given captain's armband for Bologna in 3-0 win". Aberdeen Live.
- ^ Evans, Anthony (11 December 2023). "Former Aberdeen star Lewis Ferguson captains Bologna again in first away victory". Aberdeen Live.
- ^ Walker, Mark (4 March 2024). "Ferguson labelled Bologna 'warrior' as boss says 'he's always a ten out of ten'". Daily Record.
- ^ "Souness lauds Ferguson's Italian job". BBC Sport. 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Lewis Ferguson: Knee surgery puts Scotland midfielder's Euro hopes in serious doubt". BBC Sport. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Ferguson's operation goes well". BBC Sport. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson: Scotland and Bologna star on 'long journey back' from injury". BBC Sport. 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson: Bologna midfielder overtakes Denis Law's Serie A record". BBC Sport. 23 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Scotland: Bologna's Ferguson named best Serie A midfielder". BBC Sport. 6 May 2024.
- ^ Atkinson, Mark (29 October 2024). "Red-hot Scotland duo help Napoli show title credentials at San Siro - but Lewis Ferguson forced to wait". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson credits 'Scottish mentality' for Bologna return". BBC Sport. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Young, Peter (2 November 2024). "Bologna coach has high hopes for Scotland international Ferguson after return from six-month injury lay-off". Football Italia.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson: Scotland midfielder signs new Bologna deal". BBC Sport. 22 November 2024.
- ^ Atkinson, Mark (27 November 2024). "Ferguson's big Bologna milestone ends in Champions League despair". The Scotsman.
- ^ Lindsay, Matthew (25 April 2025). "Lewis Ferguson chance to emulate Rangers icon in Coppa Italia final". The Scotsman.
- ^ Burns, Scott; Britton, Ruaraidh (29 April 2025). "Lewis Ferguson dreaming of Bologna history as ex-Dons ace leads side to first final in 51 years". Aberdeen Live.
- ^ "AC Milan vs. Bologna - 14 May 2025 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
- ^ Bandini, Nicky (15 May 2025). "Bologna's unlikely Coppa Italia triumph ends long wait for silverware". The Guardian.
- ^ "International call up for Lewis Ferguson". Hamilton Academical F.C. 26 August 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ a b Lewis Ferguson at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ "Scotland: Zander Clark, Liam Kelly & Lewis Ferguson called up for World Cup qualifiers". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
- ^ "Denmark v Scotland game report". FIFA. 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson confident 'time will come' with Scotland after injury setback". BBC Sport. 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Uncapped teenagers Lennon Miller & James Wilson named in Scotland squad for Greece tie". BBC Sport. 11 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Scotland 3-1 Greece: Lewis Ferguson lives his dream with first Scotland goal". STV News. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ McGilvray, Andy (16 December 2017). "Derek Ferguson says it will be a proud moment if and when son Lewis makes first-team debut for Hamilton". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Burns, Scott (30 November 2022). "Lewis Ferguson opens up on his life changing move to Italy". Daily Record.
- ^ Burns, Scott; Evans, Anthony (12 July 2023). "Lewis Ferguson on meeting Jose Mourinho and his best opponents so far in Italy". Aberdeen Live.
- ^ Lindsay, Matthew (13 May 2025). "Lewis Ferguson on being linked with Napoli and his 'wee Italian girl'". The Herald. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Lewis Ferguson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Lewis Ferguson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Lewis Ferguson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Irvine, David (14 May 2025). "Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson captains Bologna to Coppa Italia glory". The Herald. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Lewis is young player of the year". SFWA. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson Wins November's Goal of the Month Presented by Crypto.com". Serie A. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Lewis Ferguson: Scotland international named Serie A midfielder of the year". Sky Sports. 7 May 2024.
External links
[edit]- Profile at the Bologna FC 1909 website
- Lewis Ferguson at the Scottish Football Association
- Lewis Ferguson – UEFA competition record (archive)
Lewis Ferguson
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Lewis Ferguson was born on 24 August 1999 in Hamilton, Scotland.[1] He is the son of Derek Ferguson, a former professional footballer who made over 100 appearances for Rangers between 1982 and 1990, also played for Heart of Midlothian, and earned two caps for the Scotland national team.[16][17][18] Ferguson is the nephew of Barry Ferguson, a renowned Rangers midfielder who made 422 appearances for Rangers and earned 45 caps for the Scotland national team.[19][20] His cousin, Kyle Ferguson, is also a professional footballer, currently playing as a central defender for Yeovil Town in the National League.[21][1] Raised in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in a deeply football-oriented family, Lewis benefited from early immersion in the sport, influenced by his father's and uncle's legacies in Scottish football.[22] The town's local environment, including proximity to Hamilton Academical's facilities, helped shape his initial passion for the game from a young age.[23]Youth development
Ferguson began his organized youth football journey with local club Mill United before joining the Rangers academy in 2009 at the age of nine.[1] He spent four years developing in the Rangers youth system, playing across various age groups until his release at age 14 in 2013, a decision his uncle Barry Ferguson later described as tough but formative for his resilience.[24][25] Following his departure from Rangers, Ferguson joined Hamilton Academical's youth academy in 2013 at age 14, where he quickly integrated into the under-15 and under-17 squads.[1] Under the guidance of academy director George Cairns, who oversaw Hamilton's youth development for nearly two decades and emphasized technical skill-building, Ferguson progressed steadily through the ranks, featuring in reserve matches by his mid-teens.[26] Cairns' structured program, which produced over 1,000 professional appearances from its graduates, focused on holistic player growth, helping Ferguson refine his central midfield role.[27] During his time in Hamilton's academy, Ferguson earned youth international recognition with Scotland, accumulating seven caps at under-19 level and one at under-20 between 2017 and 2018, showcasing early promise in competitive fixtures.[2] These experiences highlighted his emerging talents as a central midfielder, where youth coaches instilled a playing style centered on vision and precise passing, enabling him to dictate tempo and support attacks from deep positions.[23] By 2017, at age 17, Ferguson's commitment to football intensified, leading him to prioritize full-time training amid his family's strong footballing heritage, forgoing other adolescent pursuits to focus solely on professional aspirations.[6]Club career
Hamilton Academical
Ferguson made his professional debut for his boyhood club Hamilton Academical on 20 January 2018, substituting into a Scottish Cup fourth-round match against Motherwell, which ended in a 2–0 defeat.[28] The 18-year-old quickly transitioned into the first-team squad during the latter stages of the 2017–18 Scottish Premiership season, earning his first start against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 3 February 2018 in a 4–1 loss. He went on to feature in 14 league matches, providing energy in midfield and contributing to the team's efforts to avoid relegation.[29] Over the course of the 2017–18 season, Ferguson made 14 appearances across all competitions for Hamilton, scoring 0 goals, and playing a role in the club's survival after they avoided the relegation play-off on the final day via superior goal difference over Partick Thistle.[30]Aberdeen
Ferguson joined Aberdeen from Hamilton Academical on a pre-contract agreement announced on 5 May 2018, officially transferring on 1 July 2018 for an initial fee of approximately £250,000 as determined by an SPFL tribunal, with performance-related add-ons.[31][32] He made his competitive debut for the club on 26 July 2018 in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round first leg against Burnley at Pittodrie Stadium, scoring a spectacular overhead kick to secure a 1–1 draw.[33] This goal highlighted his potential and contributed to Aberdeen's European campaign that season, though the club was eliminated in the third qualifying round play-offs after a 4–2 aggregate defeat to Burnley.[34] Ferguson continued to feature in domestic competitions, gradually becoming a regular starter in midfield and demonstrating versatility in both defensive and attacking roles. In the 2019–20 season, Ferguson appeared in 34 matches across all competitions, scoring 5 goals, including a long-range strike against St Mirren that earned him the club's Goal of the Season award. His performances helped Aberdeen finish third in the Scottish Premiership, securing a spot in European qualifiers. The following 2020–21 campaign saw him emerge as the team's leading scorer with 10 goals in 41 appearances, underscoring his growing influence in the final third.[35] Ferguson's prominence peaked in the 2021–22 season, where he scored 16 goals in all competitions, including notable strikes in Old Firm rivalry matches against Rangers and Celtic.[36] He played a pivotal role in Aberdeen's run to the Scottish Cup final, though the team lost 1–0 to Rangers at Hampden Park. That year also included another European outing in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, with Aberdeen progressing past NSÍ Runavík before exiting against BK Häcken.[37] Over his four seasons at the club, Ferguson amassed 169 appearances and 37 goals in all competitions, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic leader in Scottish football.[8]Bologna
Lewis Ferguson joined Bologna from Aberdeen on 12 July 2022 for a transfer fee of €2 million, signing a five-year contract until June 2027.[38] He made his Serie A debut as a substitute on 27 August 2022 in a 0–2 away defeat to AC Milan at the San Siro.[39] Ferguson scored his first goal for the club on 23 October 2022, heading in a late winner in a 2–1 victory over Hellas Verona.[40] In the summer of 2023, Ferguson was appointed Bologna's club captain at the age of 23, becoming the youngest skipper in the club's history.[10] Under his leadership, Bologna finished fifth in the 2023–24 Serie A season, securing a historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League—the club's first appearance in the competition since 1964.[41] As captain, he guided the team to victory in the 2024–25 Coppa Italia final on 15 May 2025, defeating AC Milan 1–0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome; this marked Bologna's first major trophy in 51 years.[10] Ferguson's progress was interrupted by injuries, including an anterior cruciate ligament tear in April 2024 that required surgery and sidelined him for over six months. He made a triumphant return on 3 November 2024 in a 1–0 Serie A win over Lecce, just days after signing a contract extension until 2028.[42] A Grade I calf strain sustained in training during August 2025 caused him to miss the opening matches of the 2025–26 Serie A season. Ferguson returned from the calf injury in late September 2025, featuring in subsequent matches. In Bologna's inaugural Champions League campaign during the 2024–25 season, Ferguson featured prominently before the team transitioned to the Europa League; he celebrated a key 2–1 home win over Borussia Dortmund on 21 January 2025, scoring the equalizer in a dramatic comeback.[43] On 7 November 2025, he reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Bologna in a 0–0 Europa League draw against SK Brann.[44] As of November 2025, Ferguson had made 101 appearances for the club across all competitions, contributing 14 goals.[8] Amid his success, transfer speculation intensified in late 2025, with Juventus reportedly monitoring the Scotland international as a potential target for the January transfer window.[45]International career
Youth levels
Ferguson earned his first senior youth international caps with the Scotland U19 team, making 7 appearances between 2017 and 2018 without scoring a goal.[46] His U19 involvement included participation in the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification round, where he featured in key matches such as the 4–5 loss to Norway on 27 March 2018.[47] He also made a single appearance for the Scotland U20 side in 2018.[2] Ferguson progressed to the Scotland U21 team, debuting on 6 September 2018 in a 3–0 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification victory over Andorra at Pittodrie Stadium.[48] Over the following years, he accumulated 11 caps for the U21s through 2020, contributing to qualification efforts without registering a goal.[48] These youth international outings allowed Ferguson to refine his central midfield role, emphasizing vision and passing, while managing commitments at club level with Aberdeen.[23]Senior team
Ferguson received his first call-up to the Scotland senior national team in August 2021 for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Denmark, Moldova, and Austria.[49] He made his debut as a substitute on 1 September 2021 during the 2–0 loss to Denmark at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.[50] He earned his first start on 29 March 2022 in a 2–2 friendly draw with Austria in Vienna.[51] By early 2024, Ferguson had accumulated 12 caps without scoring, showcasing his versatility in central midfield during Nations League matches and further qualifiers.[52] However, a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained in April 2024 while playing for Bologna ruled him out of UEFA Euro 2024, despite initial inclusion in the provisional squad, forcing him to watch Scotland's group stage campaign from the sidelines.[53] After undergoing surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, he returned to international duty in March 2025 for World Cup 2026 qualifiers, featuring in a 1–0 away win over Greece on 20 March and a 1–3 home loss to Iceland on 23 March. He continued with a start in the 4–0 away win over Liechtenstein on 6 June 2025.[54] Ferguson started in the September 2025 World Cup qualifiers, including a 0–0 away draw with Denmark on 5 September and a 2–0 away win over Belarus on 8 September. His resurgence peaked on 9 October 2025, when he scored his maiden international goal in a 3–1 home victory over Greece at Hampden Park, leveling the score in the 72nd minute to spark Scotland's comeback and secure vital points in the World Cup qualifying campaign.[55] He continued starting in subsequent qualifiers, including a 2–1 home win over Belarus on 12 October 2025.[56] Scotland suffered a 3–2 away loss to Greece on 15 November 2025, before securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 4–2 home win over Denmark on 18 November 2025, in which Ferguson started.[57][58] As of 18 November 2025, Ferguson had earned 21 caps and one goal, often balancing national commitments with recovery from club injuries that tested his availability.[2]Personal life
Family
Ferguson has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Lauren, whom he met during his time playing football in Scotland.[59] The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lake, in November 2022.[60] Their second daughter, Lorena, was born in February 2025 in Italy.[61] Ferguson's family has provided strong support throughout his career transitions, including the relocation to Italy in early 2023, when Lauren and Lake joined him shortly after Lake's birth.[60] His father, Derek Ferguson, a former professional footballer with Rangers, has been a significant influence on his development and family involvement in the sport.[62] Ferguson shares family dynamics centered around football with his two brothers, who, like their father, are avid Rangers supporters; this has led to lighthearted rivalries, such as when his family reportedly "blanked" him after he scored against Rangers in 2019.[63][64]Life in Italy
Ferguson relocated to Bologna in the summer of 2022, marking a significant shift from his life in Scotland and presenting initial challenges in adapting to a new language and cultural environment. He described the move as an opportunity to "try something different" after leaving Aberdeen, but noted the adjustment period felt "like being back at school" due to the need to learn Italian and navigate daily life in Emilia-Romagna. Early hurdles included communication barriers with teammates, whom he humorously recalled finding his accent difficult to understand, though he quickly immersed himself by taking language lessons and engaging with the local community.[65][66] Over time, Ferguson integrated deeply into Italian society, achieving fluency in Italian that allows him to conduct post-match interviews in the language and even teach phrases to Scotland teammates like John McGinn during national team duties. He has embraced cultural aspects such as the cuisine and relaxed lifestyle, contrasting it with the more reserved Scottish demeanor in media interactions where he highlights the vibrancy of Bologna's food scene and social customs against the familiarity of Aberdeen. Community involvement has included participating in local events and building relationships with fans, contributing to his sense of belonging in the city. His family provided crucial support during the transition, helping him settle with his partner and young daughter.[67][68][69] Balancing family life with the rigors of Serie A and subsequent Champions League campaigns has been a priority, with Ferguson emphasizing that personal happiness off the pitch enhances his professional performance. Living abroad with his daughter has brought joys like family explorations of Italy, though it demands careful management of travel and recovery from matches. In media appearances, he often discusses these Scottish-Italian contrasts, such as the warmer community interactions in Bologna versus Scotland's cooler climate and directness.[65][69] As of November 2025, amid swirling transfer rumors linking him to clubs like Napoli, Roma, and Inter Milan, Ferguson has reflected positively on potential long-term settlement in Italy, with his agent stating he "loves the team, the fans and the city" and is content to honor his contract through 2027. These comments underscore his growing attachment to Bologna, viewing it as a home where personal and cultural growth continue alongside his career.[70][71][72]Career statistics
Club
Ferguson's club career has seen him accumulate over 275 appearances and more than 38 goals across his time at Hamilton Academical, Aberdeen, and Bologna as of November 2025.[8] In the Scottish Premiership, he recorded 152 appearances and 27 goals, primarily during his stint with Aberdeen.[8] His performances in Serie A with Bologna include 85 appearances and 14 goals.[73] The 2024–25 season was notably affected by a knee injury sustained in April 2024, which required surgery and resulted in reduced playing time following his recovery in October 2024.[74] The following table summarizes his cumulative club statistics by season and selected competitions, focusing on appearances (Apps), goals (Gls), and assists (Ast).| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Gls | Ast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Hamilton Academical | Scottish Championship | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Scottish Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Scottish League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | Hamilton | 14 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2017–18 | Hamilton Academical | Scottish Premiership | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Hamilton | (cumulative) | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | 34 | 6 | 6 |
| Scottish Cup | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Scottish League Cup | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| UEFA Europa League (Qual.) | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | Aberdeen | 47 | 8 | 7 | |
| 2019–20 | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | 30 | 5 | 4 |
| Scottish Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Scottish League Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| UEFA Europa League | 6 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Total | Aberdeen | (cumulative) | 88 | 14 | 13 |
| 2020–21 | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | 38 | 10 | 5 |
| Scottish Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Scottish League Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Total | Aberdeen | (cumulative) | 133 | 24 | 19 |
| 2021–22 | Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | 31 | 6 | 4 |
| Scottish Cup | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Scottish League Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| UEFA Europa Conference League (Qual.) | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | Aberdeen | (cumulative) | 177 | 31 | 23 |
| 2022–23 | Bologna | Serie A | 31 | 6 | 2 |
| Coppa Italia | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| UEFA Europa League | 8 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | Bologna | 40 | 7 | 3 | |
| 2023–24 | Bologna | Serie A | 32 | 6 | 3 |
| Coppa Italia | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| UEFA Europa League | 2 | 0 | 1 | ||
| Total | Bologna | (cumulative) | 79 | 14 | 8 |
| 2024–25 | Bologna | Serie A | 18 | 2 | 2 |
| Coppa Italia | 6 | 1 | 1 | ||
| UEFA Champions League | 6 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | Bologna | (cumulative) | 109 | 17 | 12 |
| 2025–26* | Bologna | Serie A | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | Bologna | (cumulative) | 114 | 17 | 12 |
| Grand Total | 315 | 48 | 35 |
International
Lewis Ferguson represented Scotland at youth international levels, accumulating 19 caps across the U19, U20, and U21 teams with no goals scored.[2]Youth international statistics
| Level | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| U19 | 7 | 0 |
| U20 | 1 | 0 |
| U21 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 19 | 0 |
Senior international statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA European Championship qualifiers | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup qualifiers | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Nations League | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 19 | 1 | 0 |
Honours
Club honours
Bologna- Coppa Italia: 2024–25[78]
- Serie A: 5th place 2023–24 (qualified for UEFA Champions League)[79]
- Scottish League Cup: Runner-up 2018[80]
