Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic. Born in England, he has represented Scotland at under-19 level.
Born in Liverpool,[2] Apter played for Tranmere Rovers academy, leaving aged 15 after seven years.[3] Apter secured a two-year scholarship at Blackpool in May 2019 and signed a two-year professional contract with the option of an additional year in November 2020.[4] He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in a 3–0 EFL Trophy win Leeds United U21.[5][6] Apter made his league debut on 26 January 2021 as a late substitute in a 5–0 win away to Wigan Athletic and provided the assist for their final goal.[7][8] In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's The 11 award for under-18 players.[9]
Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year.[10] In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish side Livingston on a week long trial with a view to signing on loan. However no transfer materialised following the trial.[11]
On 12 January 2024, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.[12]
On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season.[13][14][15] At the end of the season, we was named EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.[16]
Apter scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 September 2024, in a 3–0 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.[17]
On 18 April 2025, Apter scored the first hat-trick of his career in Blackpool's 3–1 League One victory at Stevenage.[18]
On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan.[19] As of 2 December, he had scored ten goals in all competitions, including one goal from the halfway line in November in a 4–1 win away at Witton Albion.[20] He returned to his parent club on 15 December.[21]
On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan.[22] On 1 February, it was extended until the end of the season.[23]
On 28 August 2022, Apter joined National League club Scunthorpe United on a short-term loan until January 2023.[24] He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town.[25]
On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024.[26][3] He was nominated for League Two Player of the Month for November.[27]
On 17 July 2025, Apter joined Charlton Athletic on a four-year deal.[28]
In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s.[29]
He made his debut for the under-19s on 10 November 2021 against Armenia. He scored his first goal for them three days later in a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar.[30]
Apter's younger brother, Matthew, is also a footballer who currently plays for Cardiff City.[31][32]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
Blackpool | 2020–21[33] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
2021–22[34] | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
2022–23[35] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||
2023–24[36] | League One | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
2024–25[37] | League One | 45 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 50 | 8 | ||
Blackpool total | 47 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 8 | |||
Bamber Bridge (loan) | 2021–22[38] | NPL Premier Division | 18 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 21 | 10 | ||
Chester (loan) | 2021–22[1] | National League North | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | 17 | 2 | ||||
Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2022–23[1] | National League | 19 | 4 | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 20 | 4 | |||
Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 2023–24[36] | League Two | 37 | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 40 | 13 | ||
Charlton Athletic | 2025–26[39] | Championship | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | ||
Career total | 142 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 157 | 38 |
Individual
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