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Max Aarons
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Maximillian James Aarons (born 4 January 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership club Rangers, on loan from Premier League club Bournemouth.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Norwich City
[edit]Aarons began his career at Luton Town, and moved to join Norwich City's academy in 2016.[3] He signed a three-year professional contract with the Canaries in June 2018,[3] before making his debut in an EFL Cup games against Stevenage on 14 August.[4] His last ever senior goal also came in the EFL Cup, as he concluded a 3–1 win over Cardiff City two weeks later.[5] Aarons made his first league appearance on 2 September, starting in the East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town, a 1–1 draw.[6] On 10 October, he extended his contract at the club until June 2023.[7]
In March 2019 Aarons was included in the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season,[8] and was also awarded the 2018–19 EFL Young Player of the Season award.[9] He was promoted with Norwich to the Premier League after a 2–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.[10]
In April 2021 Aarons was nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season.[11] In January 2022, Aarons made his 150th appearance for Norwich City in a Premier League match against West Ham United.[12] By now, he was well-established as Norwich's first choice right back and would miss only two games during the rest of the season, as a result of an injury sustained in a match against Leeds United.[13] At the end of the season, he would experience relegation from the Premier League for the second time.
Aarons remained with Norwich for the subsequent 2022–23 season back in the Championship. In Norwich's first home game, Aarons scored an equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Wigan Athletic.[14] He had to be substituted for Liam Gibbs in the match against Burnley in October,[15] with Sam Byram replacing him for the subsequent game against Stoke City. This would be the only game of the season in which Aarons played no part, as he returned to the side as a substitute for Byram in the following game against Queens Park Rangers.[16] After a strong start, Norwich slumped and had soon lost any hope of being promoted again. The season, and ultimately Aarons' time with Norwich, ended with a 1–0 defeat to Blackpool.[17]
Bournemouth
[edit]On 10 August 2023, Aarons transferred to Bournemouth for a fee of £7m.[18] On 12 August, he made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against West Ham United in the Premier League.[19] He played twenty matches in this competition during the campaign, in which the team achieved a new points record in the division.[20]
Valencia CF
[edit]On 13 January 2025, Aarons joined La Liga side Valencia on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the 2024–25 season,[20][21][22] with an option to make the move permanent.[23]
Rangers
[edit]On 25 June 2025, Aarons joined Scottish Premiership club Rangers on loan for the season.[24] On 22 July 2025, he made his debut for Rangers in a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos at Ibrox Stadium. Aarons scored his first league goal on 28 September 2025, away to Livingston in a 2–1 victory, a 94th minute winner.[25]
International career
[edit]After breaking into the Norwich City first team at the start of the 2018–19 season, Aarons earned a call-up to the England under-19 team in September 2018.[26]
On 30 August 2019, Aarons was included in the England U21 squad for the first time.[27] He made his debut during the 3–2 qualifying win against Turkey on 6 September 2019.[28][29] Aarons was a member of the squad that were eliminated at the group stage of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[30]
Despite his England caps, in March 2021 it was reported that Aarons would be called up to the Jamaica national team, as part of a plot by the Jamaican Football Federation to purposely target a number of English and English-born players for call ups in order to increase the nation's chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.[31][32] JFF president Michael Ricketts claimed that Aarons was going to apply for a Jamaican passport in order to play for the nation.[31] However, Aarons subsequently revealed he had not been contacted by Jamaica, stating: "I am able to play for Jamaica but I never heard anything from them or whatever. I had people messaging me, a few family members from Jamaica, and I had to say that I hadn't heard anything".[33] Aarons also revealed that he had no interest in playing for anyone other than his home nation, commenting: "my full focus is definitely on England".[33]
On 14 June 2023, Aarons was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[34][35] He started in the final as England beat Spain 1–0 to win the tournament.[36][37]
Personal life
[edit]Aarons is of Jamaican descent.[38] He is the cousin of football player Rolando Aarons.[39]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 11 December 2025
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Norwich City | 2018–19[40] | Championship | 41 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 43 | 3 | |
| 2019–20[41] | Premier League | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 40 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21[42] | Championship | 45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 47 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22[43] | Premier League | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 35 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23[16] | Championship | 45 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 48 | 1 | ||
| Total | 201 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 213 | 6 | |||
| Bournemouth | 2023–24[44] | Premier League | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 23 | 0 | |
| 2024–25[45] | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | |||
| Valencia (loan) | 2024–25[45] | La Liga | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| Rangers (loan) | 2025–26[46] | Scottish Premiership | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9[c] | 0 | 25 | 1 |
| Career total | 242 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 270 | 7 | ||
- ^ Includes FA Cup, Copa del Rey
- ^ Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
Honours
[edit]Norwich City
England U21
Individual
- EFL Young Player of the Year: 2018–19[49]
- EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2018–19,[50] 2020–21[51]
- PFA Team of the Year: 2018–19 Championship,[52] 2020–21 Championship[53]
- EFL Young Player of the Month: December 2020[54]
References
[edit]- ^ "2024/25 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 17 December 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Max Aarons". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Max Aarons signs first professional contract". Norwich City. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Norwich City vs Stevenage on 14 Aug 18". Norwich City. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Cardiff City vs Norwich City on 28 Aug 18". Norwich City. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Ipswich Town vs Norwich City on 02 Sep 18". Norwich City. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Max Aarons rewarded with new deal at Norwich City". Norwich City. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ^ "EFL awards: Che Adams, Teemu Pukki & Billy Sharp on Championship shortlist". BBC Sport. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
- ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ Law, James (27 April 2019). "Norwich City 2–1 Blackburn Rovers: Canaries promoted after Stiepermann & Vrancic goals". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Norwich duo Teemu Pukki and Emiliano Buendia head nominees ahead of 2021 EFL Awards ceremony". Sky Sports. 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ Southwell, Connor (15 January 2022). "Max at 150: The story behind Aarons' rise to Norwich City prominence". The Pink Un. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Mutch, Michael (1 April 2022). "Max Aarons and Brandon Williams set to miss Brighton clash". Norfolk Live. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Norwich City 1–1 Wigan Athletic: Max Aarons equaliser rescues point for Canaries". BBC Sport. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Southwell, Connor (27 October 2022). "PRESSER: Norwich City v Stoke City – Sargent a doubt; Aarons fit". Norwich Evening News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Max Aarons in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ "Norwich City 0–1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Max Aarons Joins The Cherries". afcb.co.uk. 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Bournemouth 1–1 West Ham: Dominic Solanke rescues point for Cherries after Jarrod Bowen's stunning opener". 12 August 2023. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Aarons joins Valencia on loan". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "MAX AARONS". Valencia CF. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Bournemouth transfer news: Aarons joins Valencia on loan". BBC Sport. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ Millar, Colin (13 January 2025). "Valencia sign Bournemouth's Max Aarons on loan deal for remainder of season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Rangers sign Bournemouth's Max Aarons on loan". BBC Sport. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Rangers 2–0 Panathinaikos". BBC Sport. 22 July 2025.
- ^ Davitt, Paddy (31 August 2018). "England calling for Max Aarons". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ Veevers, Nicholas (30 August 2019). "England U21s kick-off a new campaign and Aidy Boothroyd has picked his squad". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- ^ "Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson score as England U21s win opening Euro qualifier". The Football Association. 6 September 2019. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Turkey U21 2–3 England U21". BBC Sport. 6 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ "Uefa U21 Euros squad". BBC Sport. 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ a b Low, Jonathan (3 March 2021). "Southampton star Nathan Redmond in line for shock international call-up ahead of World Cup 2022". Hampshire Live. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ Delaney, James (4 March 2021). "Kemar Roofe's World Cup dream as Rangers star tops list for international side". Glasgow Live. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ a b Freezer, David (7 March 2021). "Aarons 'fully focused' on U21 Euros with England amid Jamaica interest". The Pink Un. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ Veevers, Nicholas (14 June 2023). "England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals". England Football. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "England Under-21s: Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe & Gordon in but Lewis left out". BBC Sport. 14 June 2023. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ a b Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ Reid, James (8 July 2023). "England win U21 EURO title after 1–0 win over Spain". EnglandFootball.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacob (26 October 2019). "Norwich's Max Aarons: 'When I came here it almost felt like home'". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ Freezer, David (4 September 2018). "Rapid rise continuing for Canaries prospect Aarons after derby debut". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Games played by Max Aarons in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Max Aarons in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2019). Football Yearbook 2019–2020. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 258–259. ISBN 978-1-4722-6111-3.
- ^ "Norwich 4-1 Reading: Daniel Farke's Canaries win Sky Bet Championship title". Sky Sports. 1 May 2021. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ "Live blog: EFL Awards 2019". EFL.com. 7 April 2019. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
- ^ "Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis and Teemu Pukki named in EFL Team of the Season". www.canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ EFL (English Football League) [@EFL] (29 April 2021). "It's time to introduce your @SkyBetChamp Team of the Season! #EFL | #EFLAwards" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 October 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Championship: Norwich and Leeds dominate PFA selection of team of 2018–19". BBC Sport. 24 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year". BBC Sport. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
- ^ "Max Aarons named EFL Young Player of the Month". www.canaries.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
External links
[edit]- Max Aarons at Norwich City F.C. (archived)
- Max Aarons at AFC Bournemouth
- Max Aarons at Premier League (archived)
- Max Aarons at Soccerway
Max Aarons
View on GrokipediaClub career
Norwich City
Aarons joined Norwich City's academy from Luton Town in 2016, where he quickly progressed through the youth ranks and captained the under-23 side. He signed his first professional contract with the club in June 2018, a three-year deal that marked the start of his senior pathway.[8][9] Aarons made his senior debut for Norwich in the EFL Cup second round on 14 August 2018, coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 victory over Stevenage. His league debut followed shortly after in the East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town on 2 September 2018, where he started and helped secure a 1-1 draw. During the 2018–19 Championship season, Aarons established himself as a key right-back, featuring in 35 league matches and contributing to Norwich's title-winning campaign that secured promotion to the Premier League. His performances earned him a place in the 2018–19 EFL Team of the Season and the EFL Young Player of the Season award. In July 2019, he extended his contract until 2024.[10][11][12][13][14] Norwich were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2019–20 season, but Aarons played a pivotal role in their immediate return, starting 44 of 46 Championship games in 2020–21 to help clinch another promotion as champions; he was again selected for the PFA Championship Team of the Year. The club faced relegation once more in 2021–22 after finishing 20th in the top flight. In the 2022–23 Championship campaign, Aarons made 39 appearances before departing in August 2023 on a permanent transfer to AFC Bournemouth for an initial fee reported as £7–9 million, potentially rising to £12 million with add-ons. Over his five senior seasons, he amassed more than 200 appearances for Norwich across all competitions, experiencing two promotions and two relegations.[15][16][17][18]AFC Bournemouth
On 10 August 2023, Aarons signed a long-term contract with AFC Bournemouth from Norwich City for an initial fee reported as £7–9 million, potentially rising to £12 million with performance-related add-ons.[19][20] He made his debut for the club two days later, starting in a 1–1 Premier League draw away to West Ham United on 12 August 2023.[19] During the 2023–24 season, Aarons established himself as a regular option at right-back, making 20 league appearances and accumulating 1,374 minutes of playtime, though he did not score or assist in those matches. He also featured once in the FA Cup that season, contributing to Bournemouth's defensive efforts as the team finished 12th in the Premier League.[21] In the following 2024–25 campaign, Aarons' involvement diminished due to increased competition and minor injuries, limiting him to just four Premier League appearances before the winter transfer window.[22] Overall, across all competitions during his time at Bournemouth, he recorded 27 appearances, no goals, and one assist.[23] Seeking more playing time, Aarons joined La Liga side Valencia on loan on 13 January 2025 until the end of the 2024–25 season, with an option for the Spanish club to purchase him for €9 million.[24][25] Upon returning, he was immediately loaned out again, this time to Scottish Premiership club Rangers on a season-long deal starting 25 June 2025, subject to international clearance.[26]Valencia CF
On 13 January 2025, Aarons joined Valencia CF on loan from AFC Bournemouth until the end of the 2024–25 season, with an option to buy for €9 million; he became the first Englishman to play for the club in its history.[27][28] The move was intended to bolster Valencia's defensive options amid a challenging campaign, where the team struggled in La Liga, sitting near the relegation zone. Aarons, a right-back known for his pace and crossing ability from his time at Norwich City, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, "I know how incredible Valencia CF is, and I'm ready to help as much as possible."[29] Aarons made his debut as a substitute in a 7–1 La Liga defeat to Barcelona on 26 January 2025, entering in the second half during a match that highlighted Valencia's defensive vulnerabilities.[30] About ten days later, he started his first game for the club in the Copa del Rey round of 16, but Valencia suffered a 5–0 home loss to Barcelona, conceding four goals while Aarons was on the pitch. These early outings exposed adaptation challenges, as Aarons was subsequently excluded from the squad for two months amid Valencia's poor form, which saw the team lose 12 goals across those two fixtures.[31] Aarons' most notable contribution came on 5 April 2025, when he started in La Liga and helped secure a 2–1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, Valencia's first win there in over a decade; he played the full 90 minutes, providing defensive solidity in a rare positive result for the team.[32] Following the match, Aarons shared his enjoyment of life in Spain, telling BBC Sport he was "loving" his time at Valencia despite limited opportunities.[33] In total, he made five appearances across all competitions during the loan—four in La Liga and one in the Copa del Rey—without recording a goal or assist, accumulating around 250 minutes of play.[34][35] The spell proved difficult overall, with Aarons facing adaptation issues to La Liga's intensity and Valencia's tactical demands under manager Rubén Baraja, who prioritized experience in a relegation battle. Despite the setbacks, his mentality was later praised by future club staff, noting his resilience during a tough period that ultimately led to the loan not being converted into a permanent deal. Aarons returned to Bournemouth at the end of June 2025 without further extension.[31][36]Rangers
On 25 June 2025, Aarons joined Rangers on a season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth, initially reuniting with manager Russell Martin, who had previously coached him at Norwich City. Martin was sacked on 5 October 2025 and replaced by Danny Röhl on 20 October 2025.[37][20][38][39] The move was aimed at providing depth at right-back amid Rangers' European commitments and domestic title push in the Scottish Premiership.[40] Aarons made his debut for Rangers on 22 July 2025 in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round, starting in a 2–0 home win over Panathinaikos. Rangers advanced through subsequent qualifying rounds but were eliminated by Club Brugge in the play-off (1–9 aggregate), dropping into the UEFA Europa League. Aarons featured in the Europa League league phase, where Rangers competed as of November 2025. By mid-November 2025, Aarons had made 16 appearances across all competitions under both managers, contributing defensively with his pace and overlapping runs while adapting to the team's style.[41][42][43] A highlight of his stint came on 28 September 2025, when Aarons scored his first goal for Rangers—and his first in league play in three years—in a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Livingston. The 94th-minute strike, a low driven shot from the edge of the box, secured Rangers' first Premiership win of the season and eased early pressure on the management.[44][45] In eight Premiership outings as of November 2025, he recorded one goal and no assists, with his performances earning praise for solid tackling and forward contributions, including four key passes and 85% pass accuracy.[46][47] Aarons' loan has been marked by versatility, occasionally deploying as a right midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation, and he has avoided major injuries despite a demanding schedule that included Scottish League Cup ties. His integration has bolstered Rangers' squad depth, particularly in European matches, where he logged over 400 minutes in the Europa League as of November 2025.[43]International career
Youth career
Aarons began his youth international career with England at under-19 level in late 2018, shortly after breaking into Norwich City's senior squad. He received his first call-up in September 2018 and made his debut in a 2-1 friendly victory over Belgium, starting the match as a right-back.[48] Over the following months and into 2019, Aarons earned three additional caps, all in UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying fixtures, including a full 90-minute appearance in a 4-1 win against Portugal in October 2018.[49][50] His performances at this level highlighted his defensive reliability and attacking contributions from the right flank, totaling four appearances without scoring.[47] In August 2019, Aarons progressed to the England under-21 team, receiving his initial selection for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign. He made his debut on 6 September 2019, starting in a 3-2 away win over Turkey at Kocaeli Stadium, where he contributed to a solid defensive display during an eventful match that saw multiple bookings and a late equalizer from England.[51] Aarons quickly became a regular, accumulating 27 caps by September 2023 and registering two assists, though he did not score.[47][7] His versatility and consistency earned praise, with under-21 manager Lee Carsley noting Aarons' experience from over 200 senior club games as a key asset to the squad.[52] Aarons' under-21 tenure culminated in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship held in Romania and Georgia, where he was included in the 23-man squad after a preparatory training camp.[53] England topped their group with victories over Israel, Czech Republic, and Slovenia before defeating hosts Romania in the semi-finals. In the final on 8 July 2023 at Stadionul Municipal in Batumi, Aarons started at right-back as England secured a 1-0 win over Spain through a second-half penalty by Curtis Jones, claiming their first title in the competition since 1984.[54][55] Aarons described the triumph as a career highlight, emphasizing the team's unity and his role in maintaining a clean sheet against a strong Spanish attack.[7][56]Senior career
Aarons is eligible to represent England and Jamaica at the senior international level due to his English birth and Jamaican heritage through his family.[57] The Jamaican Football Federation has repeatedly approached him for a potential call-up, but Aarons has rejected these overtures, prioritizing his long-held ambition to play for the England senior team.[58][59] As of November 2025, Aarons has not received a senior call-up for either nation and remains uncapped at that level.[60] He has publicly stated that earning an England senior debut remains a key career goal, influencing decisions such as his 2025 loan move to Rangers.[7]Personal life
Family and heritage
Max Aarons was born on 4 January 2000 in Hammersmith, London, to parents Mike Aarons and Amber Aarons.[61] His father worked in car sales, while his mother was employed in business.[61] Aarons has an older brother named Josh.[62] Aarons' family heritage reflects a blend of English and Jamaican roots. His father, Mike, has Jamaican heritage, which Aarons has expressed pride in, noting his enjoyment of visiting extended family in Jamaica.[62] His mother, Amber, is of English descent.[63] This mixed background made Aarons eligible to represent either England or Jamaica internationally, though he ultimately pursued opportunities with England.[64] Aarons is the cousin of fellow professional footballer Rolando Aarons, who has represented Jamaica at the international level and currently plays for Morecambe in the National League.[65] The familial connection has been highlighted in profiles of both players, underscoring their shared roots in professional football.[66]Early life challenges
Aarons faced significant personal upheaval early in his childhood when his parents separated at the age of nine, coinciding with his initial signing for Luton Town's academy. This family split prompted a move from London to Milton Keynes with his mother and older brother, Josh, disrupting his stability during a formative period. Football became a vital outlet for coping with the emotional challenges of the divorce, providing structure and focus amid the changes; Aarons later reflected that the sport helped him navigate the difficulties of his parents' separation and the adjustment to a new home environment.[62] At age 14, Aarons made the bold and risky decision to leave Luton Town's academy, where he had started playing at around seven, feeling he was not progressing sufficiently in his development as a right-back. Without a guaranteed next club, he entered a period of uncertainty lasting approximately 18 months to two years, during which he was unattached to any professional team and faced warnings from others that he would regret the move. To continue honing his skills, his father, Mike Aarons, invested in private coaching sessions with specialist Saul Isaksson-Hurst, costing £70 per hour starting from when Max was 11, emphasizing technical proficiency and ball mastery. This individual training regimen was crucial but financially and logistically demanding for the family.[67][61][2] During this unattached phase, Aarons trialed with several clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, and Watford, involving extensive travel from Milton Keynes that strained his school commitments and created ongoing doubt about his future in the game. Teachers at Shenley Brook End School expressed skepticism about his prospects, citing the low success rate for young footballers, which added external pressure to his self-directed path. Despite these obstacles, the period fostered resilience and a unique development style, leading to his signing with Norwich City at 16 in 2016, where he finally found a stable academy environment.[3][67]Career statistics
Club statistics
Max Aarons has made over 250 senior appearances across his professional career with Norwich City, AFC Bournemouth, Valencia CF, and Rangers as of November 2025.[68] His statistics highlight a defensive focus, with limited goal contributions typical for a right-back.[69] The following table summarizes his club appearances, goals, and assists by club (all competitions, senior level only):| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich City | 2018–2023 | 213 | 6 | 14 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 2023–2025 | 27 | 0 | 1 |
| Valencia CF | 2025 (loan) | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rangers | 2025– | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | 251 | 7 | 15 |
International statistics
Aarons has not earned any senior caps for the England national team as of November 2025. His international experience is limited to youth levels, where he progressed through the England setup from under-19 onwards. He debuted for the England U19 team in September 2018 during a friendly against Belgium and went on to make seven appearances without scoring, primarily in European Championship qualifiers against opponents including Portugal, Moldova, and Turkey.[71] Aarons' most prominent international involvement came at under-21 level, where he debuted on 6 September 2019 in a 2-1 friendly win over Turkey. Over the following four years, he accumulated 27 caps without scoring and recording two assists.[71] His U21 career highlighted defensive reliability, with frequent starts in qualifiers and tournaments, contributing to England's qualification for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Aarons featured in four matches during the 2023 tournament in Romania and Georgia, helping secure England's first U21 European title in 39 years via a 1-0 final win over Spain on 8 July 2023. Overall, Aarons' youth international record stands at 34 appearances across levels, underscoring his role as a consistent right-back in England's development pathway before aging out of eligibility in 2023.[71]| Youth Team | Years Active | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Key Tournaments/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England U19 | 2018–2019 | 7 | 0 | 0 | UEFA U19 EURO qualifiers; debut vs. Belgium (friendly) |
| England U21 | 2019–2023 | 27 | 0 | 2 | UEFA U21 EURO 2023 winners; qualifiers and friendlies; debut vs. Turkey (friendly) |
Honours
Club honours
Max Aarons has won two major club honours during his professional career, both achieved with Norwich City in England's second-tier EFL Championship.[47] In the 2018–19 season, Aarons played a pivotal role as a right-back for Norwich City, featuring in 37 league matches and contributing to their promotion as champions with 94 points from 46 games. His performances that year earned him a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season.[30][72] Aarons repeated this success in the 2020–21 campaign, playing a key role in 41 league fixtures and helping secure another title with 97 points, marking the club's third Championship win in the modern era. During this season, he recorded two goals and two assists, showcasing his attacking contributions from defense.[72][73] Since transferring to AFC Bournemouth in August 2023 and later joining Rangers on loan in June 2025, Aarons has not added further club honours as of November 2025.[20]Individual awards
Max Aarons has earned notable individual recognition for his performances in the EFL Championship, particularly during his breakthrough seasons with Norwich City. In the 2018–19 campaign, he was named the EFL Young Player of the Season, an award voted for by fans and recognizing his outstanding debut professional year where he made 37 league appearances and contributed to Norwich's promotion as champions.[74] He also featured in the official EFL Team of the Season for 2018–19, selected by league managers for his defensive solidity and attacking contributions from right-back.[75] Aarons' consistency was further acknowledged by his peers in the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). He was included in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for 2018–19, joining five Norwich teammates in the player-voted selection after helping secure the title with 94 points.[76] The following season, despite Norwich's relegation from the Premier League, he repeated the honor in the 2020–21 PFA Championship Team of the Year, appearing alongside four other Canaries players as they won automatic promotion with a record 97 points.[77] Additionally, Aarons received the EFL Young Player of the Month award for November 2020, highlighted for his role in Norwich's eight-game winning streak that propelled them to the top of the Championship table, including clean sheets in key victories.[78]| Award | Season | Details |
|---|---|---|
| EFL Young Player of the Season | 2018–19 | Awarded for exceptional debut season leading to promotion.[74] |
| EFL Team of the Season | 2018–19 | Selected by EFL managers.[75] |
| PFA Championship Team of the Year | 2018–19 | Player-voted recognition.[76] |
| EFL Young Player of the Month | November 2020 | For pivotal performances in promotion push.[78] |
| PFA Championship Team of the Year | 2020–21 | Player-voted for second promotion success.[77] |
