Rory Wilson (born 5 January 2006) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Aston Villa. Wilson has featured for Villa's U18 and U21 sides since joining the Birmingham club from the Rangers Academy in the summer of 2022.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 5 January 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Girvan, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Aston Villa | ||
| Number | 75[1] | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2022 | Rangers | ||
| 2022– | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Rangers B (res.) | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2023 | Scotland U17 | 13 | (14) |
| 2023– | Scotland U19 | 10 | (3) |
| 2022– | Scotland U21 | 2 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:44, 16 July 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:44, 16 July 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editEarly life and Rangers
editBorn in Girvan, Wilson joined the academy of Scottish side Rangers at the age of eight.[2][3] He progressed well through the academy, scoring 49 goals in the 2021–22 season and being called up to the 'B' team at the age of fifteen.[3] He made one substitute appearance for the B team in the 2021–22 season, in a 2–0 Lowland Football League loss to East Stirlingshire.[4]
Aston Villa
editIn June 2022, it was reported that English side Aston Villa were interested in signing Wilson.[5] As he was contracted to Rangers until December 2022, the Ibrox club demanded a fee for the transfer.[6] However, Aston Villa claimed that, as Wilson had not signed a professional deal with Rangers, and was only contracted on amateur terms, he was free to sign with them for a low training compensation fee.[6]
Wilson had signed an amateur contract with Rangers in December 2019; a rolling, three-year deal that would have fallen under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA had he decided to move to a fellow Scottish club.[6] However, as a move to Aston Villa was classified as an international transfer, international governing body FIFA's rules supersede those of national football associations.[6] As the two clubs valuations for Wilson differed, the transfer fee would have been decided by FIFA.[6][7]
After negotiations between the two clubs resumed, a reported deal worth a minimum of £350,000 was agreed, and Wilson joined Aston Villa in July 2022.[8][9]
On 6 January 2023, Wilson's 17th birthday, he signed his first professional contract with Aston Villa.[10] Since joining Villa, Wilson's goal scoring form has continued. For the Villa Academy, Wilson netted hat-tricks against Liverpool and Brentford in the U17 Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup respectively.[citation needed]
International career
editWilson has represented Scotland at youth international level.[11] In September 2022, Wilson stated he was "shocked" after being called up to the Scotland under-21 side.[12][13]
Wilson debuted against Wales for the Under-17 side in 2021 and has since represented Scotland Under-17's in numerous friendly matches, European Championship qualifiers and European Championship finals matches. He has scored more goals than has made appearances for the Under-17s and has since made 2 appearances for the Under-21's.
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 16 July 2024[14]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers B | 2021–22 | Lowland Football League | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Aston Villa U21 | 2022–23 | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Aston Villa U21 | 2023–24 | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
- Notes
- ^ a b Appearances in the EFL Trophy
Honours
editAston Villa U21s
- Birmingham Senior Cup: 2023-24[15]
References
edit- ^ "Papa Johns Trophy (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
- ^ Atkinson, Mark (4 July 2022). "'Our preference': Rory Wilson exits Rangers for Aston Villa as Ibrox club comments on transfer". scotsman.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ a b Lindsay, Matthew (19 June 2022). "Aston Villa new boy Rory Wilson branded 'best striker at his age in Europe' after £350,000 Rangers transfer". glasgowtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Match Report: Rangers 0–2 East Stirlingshire". rangers.co.uk. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Pirie, Mark (13 June 2022). "Who is Rory Wilson? Rangers top striking prospect at the centre of FIFA dispute with Aston Villa in focus". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Campbell, Jordan; Evans, Gregg (14 June 2022). "Explained: Aston Villa, Rangers and a row over the best young Scottish talent". theathletic.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022. (subscription required)
- ^ Maher, Matt (15 June 2022). "Fifa could rule on Aston Villa swoop for Rangers wonderkid Rory Wilson". shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Campbell, Jordan (17 June 2022). "Aston Villa move closer to signing Rangers striker Rory Wilson". theathletic.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022. (subscription required)
- ^ "Villa confirm Wilson signing". avfc.co.uk. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Rory Wilson signs pro contract with Villa". Aston Villa Football Club. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
- ^ Rory Wilson at WorldFootball.net
- ^ Reis, Bruna (25 September 2022). "Aston Villa starlet admits 'shock' at international honour". birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Banks, Ben (25 September 2022). "Rory Wilson savours post-Rangers joy as Aston Villa starlet 'shocked' by international honour". glasgowlive.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Rory Wilson at Soccerway
- ^ "BSC: Aston Villa 9-0 Racing Club Warwick". Aston Villa Football Club. 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-05-16.