Max Aarons

Max Aarons
Born	Maximillian James Aarons (2000-01-04) January 4, 2000 Hammersmith, London, England
Occupation	Professional footballer
Years active	2018–
Known for	Right-back for Rangers (on loan from Bournemouth)

Maximillian James Aarons (born 4 January 2000) is a professional English footballer who operates primarily as a right-back and currently plays for Scottish Premiership side Rangers on loan from Premier League outfit Bournemouth.

Norwich City

Aarons initiated his football journey with Luton Town before moving to the academy of Norwich City in 2016. In June 2018, he secured a three-year professional deal with Norwich and made his first-team debut on 14 August in an EFL Cup fixture against Stevenage. He netted his inaugural senior goal shortly after, scoring in the EFL Cup to help Norwich to a 3–1 victory over Cardiff City. Aarons’ league debut came on 2 September during the East Anglian derby versus Ipswich Town, which ended in a 1–1 draw. By 10 October, he had extended his contract through June 2023.

In March 2019, Aarons was honored by being selected for the 2018–19 Championship Team of the Season and was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Season. He played a significant role in Norwich’s promotion to the Premier League following their 2–1 triumph over Blackburn Rovers.

Aarons earned another nomination for the EFL Young Player of the Season award in April 2021. By January 2022, he had accumulated 150 appearances for Norwich, firmly established as their starting right back. Despite sustaining an injury in a match against Leeds United, he missed just two games during that campaign. Nevertheless, Norwich experienced relegation from the Premier League for the second time.

For the 2022–23 season, Aarons remained at Norwich competing in the Championship. He scored a crucial equalizer in a 1–1 draw at home against Wigan Athletic. After a brief substitution due to injury in October, he only missed one game throughout the season and returned promptly to the squad. Although Norwich began strongly, their hopes of promotion diminished, culminating in Aarons’ stint ending following a 1–0 loss to Blackpool.

Bournemouth

On 10 August 2023, Aarons completed a £7 million transfer to Bournemouth. He made his debut two days later in a Premier League match that finished 1–1 against West Ham United. During the season, Aarons featured in twenty league games, contributing to Bournemouth setting a new points record in the top flight.

Valencia CF

On 13 January 2025, Aarons moved on loan to Spanish La Liga club Valencia from Bournemouth until the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, with an option included to make the transfer permanent.

Rangers

On 25 June 2025, Aarons joined Scottish Premiership team Rangers on a season-long loan deal. He made his first appearance on 22 July during a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Panathinaikos held at Ibrox Stadium. Aarons scored his maiden league goal for Rangers on 28 September 2025—a stoppage-time winner securing a 2–1 victory over Livingston.

International career

Following his breakthrough into Norwich City's senior squad during the 2018–19 campaign, Aarons received a call-up to represent England at under-19 level in September 2018.

On 30 August 2019, he was named in the England under-21 squad and earned his first cap on 6 September during a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier where England defeated Turkey 3–2. Aarons was included in the squad that exited at the group stage of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

In March 2021, there were reports suggesting Aarons might switch allegiance to represent Jamaica as part of efforts by the Jamaican Football Federation to recruit English-born players to enhance World Cup qualification prospects. JFF president Michael Ricketts asserted that Aarons intended to apply for Jamaican citizenship; however, Aarons clarified that he had not been contacted by Jamaica and remained committed to pursuing an international future with England.

On 14 June 2023, Aarons was selected for England’s squad participating in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He started in the final where England secured a 1–0 victory over Spain, clinching the tournament title.

Personal life

Aarons has Jamaican heritage. He is related to the footballer Rolando Aarons, who is his cousin.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals broken down by club, season, and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		European competitions		Overall total
		Division	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals
Norwich City	2018–19	Championship	41	2	0	0	2	1	—		43	3
	2019–20	Premier League	36	0	3	0	1	0	—		40	0
	2020–21	Championship	45	2	2	0	0	0	—		47	2
	2021–22	Premier League	34	0	1	0	0	0	—		35	0
	2022–23	Championship	45	1	1	0	2	0	—		48	1
	Totals		201	5	7	0	5	1	—		213	6
Bournemouth	2023–24	Premier League	20	0	1	0	2	0	—		23	0
	2024–25	Premier League	3	0	1	0	0	0	—		4	0
	Totals		23	0	2	0	2	0	—		27	0
Valencia (loan)	2024–25	La Liga	4	0	1	0	—		—		5	0
Rangers (loan)	2025–26	Scottish Premiership	7	1	0	0	2	0	7	0	16	1
Career totals			235	6	10	0	9	1	7	0	261	7

Honours

Norwich City

• EFL Championship titles: 2018–19, 2020–21

England U21

• Winners of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023

Individual awards

• EFL Young Player of the Year: 2018–19 season
• Named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2018–19 and 2020–21 campaigns
• Included in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship in both 2018–19 and 2020–21 seasons
• Awarded EFL Young Player of the Month in December 2020

External links

• Max Aarons profile at Norwich City F.C. (archived)
• Max Aarons profile at AFC Bournemouth