Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894

Source for image above: HTAFC

We spoke to fans from Motherwell, Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe to learn more about Town’s ‘top target’ now that he’s joined The Terriers.

Town’s top target from the summer transfer window has finally joined. Following Danny Grant’s arrival in this window is another winger, Rolando Aarons. This comes as little surprise given how the deal was nearly done in the previous transfer window on Deadline Day, only to fall through at the last minute.

With the injury to Josh Koroma and the lack of depth in the wide forward positions, Aarons arrives a much-needed recruit to boost the squad. The 25-year-old who arrived from Newcastle United and can play on either wing, signed a contract with The Terriers until the summer of 2023, with the club having the option of a further year’s extension.

Rolando joined Newcastle in 2012 as a 16-year-old after being released from Bristol City and burst onto the scene as a promising youngster for The Magpies in the 2013-14 season, with eye-catching performances and a goal in the fourth round of the League Cup which helped knock out then holders Manchester City. A combination of the turmoil at Newcastle under Mike Ashley, changing of managers and Aarons’ injury record means he hasn’t played for the side since December 2017.

From the outside, it’d be fair to say that injuries haven’t been kind to the Jamaican winger, who has suffered regular hamstring problems throughout his career. A series of short loan moves since 2018 means Aarons has gone to Italian side Hellas Verona, Czech outfit Slovan Liberec, Sheffield Wednesday, Wycombe Wanderers and most recently, Scottish team Motherwell.

Now that Aarons deal is done, we wanted to find out more about the player and what we can expect. So we look at what the club said about the move, the player’s reaction and spoke to fans from clubs he’s played for to learn about what we can expect from Town’s latest signing.

Carlos Corberán said that Rolando Aarons is :“Technically, he is aggressive in the one vs one situations, he has good balance and he also has the skills to unbalance the opponents”. Photo source: HTAFCHTAFC — Carlos Corberán said that Rolando Aarons is :“Technically, he is aggressive in the one vs one situations, he has good balance and he also has the skills to unbalance the opponents”. Photo source: HTAFC HTAFC

What the club said

Announcing the signing before the FA Cup match against Plymouth, Leigh Bromby, Head of Football Operations was delighted to have Rolando joined the club. On the club’s official website, he said:

“Having been identified through our recruitment process, it was very clear from our early conversations just how determined he is to kick-start his career. That trait in a player’s character is very important to us; we want hungry players who have something to prove… Rolando has been in constant contact since the summer window and has immersed himself in everything to do with Huddersfield Town, including our style of play.

“He will need a little time to become fully acclimatised to Carlos’ demands and to get up to speed having not played competitive games for a good while, but he will be a good addition to the squad.”

Aarons’ last competitive game was for Scottish side Motherwell back in March against Hearts, so that, combined with the theory that Corberán likes players to train for a month before seeing first-team action, meant it was a surprise to see Rolando come on as a substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Plymouth.

However, like with fellow January signing Danny Grant, the injury to Josh Koroma and a lack of options in the wide areas, particularly on the left side, meant that Corberán had to use him sooner than he would have maybe liked.

In an interview with the club, Rolando said: “I do like to be involved more than a normal winger where I can play and score goals and contribute.” Photo source: HTAFC

What the player said

As Rolando revealed on the club’s YouTube channel, it’s not the first time that he had been interviewed about his move to Huddersfield Town, Aarons had gone through interviews and photoshoots previously in October. Speaking on the club’s YouTube channel, he said:

“This is the second time I’ve been here to do this but it’s nice to know that it’s finally done now and we can move forward! I have been watching the games, probably every single game since that happened [the deal in October falling through] and I’ve been keeping fit at Newcastle and preparing for this moment because it was going to happen one way or another.

“Every time I get on the pitch, even with those loan spells, it’s an opportunity to improve but this time is the first time since I was really young at Newcastle that I can call somewhere my home, which I haven’t been able to do and it gives me peace of mind, which will be a lot more helpful going into this. On the pitch, I’ll try and do my best. Naturally, I’m probably a winger but I do like to be involved more than a normal winger where I can play and score goals and contribute that’s where I like to play.”

Rolando makes a good point about loan spells, they can either put you in the shop window for other clubs if you impress but if you don’t, it casts doubt on your ability as a player. It’s worth noting also that every loan spell Aarons has had, was only for half a season so it’s difficult to make an impact in such a short space of time. However, now joining The Terriers permanently, it’s an opportunity to see if he can prove consistency and become a useful player at Huddersfield.

Upon leaving Newcastle, Aarons said: “The club will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish all the fans and the club the very best going forward. Once a geordie…” Photo source: Newcastle United

What fans have said

As well documented, Aarons has been on a number of loan spells during his time at Newcastle, so we wanted to find out more about the player himself from those in the know. So, we spoke to fans from clubs at his last three loan spells, Sheffield Wednesday, Wycombe Wanderers and Motherwell, as well as his parent club at the time, Newcastle, to hear about what we can expect.

Newcastle

We thought it made sense to start with his parent club first. So, Kris Wallace, from Newcastle fan channel, Gallowgate Shots, answered a few questions for us.

What type of player are Huddersfield getting in Rolando Aarons?

Aarons is an attacking-minded player who likes to hug to sideline, he’s quick and has the odd trick in his bag, but as a Newcastle fan, we haven’t seen him get a run of games in the side due to his injury record, but from the glimpses we have seen, he looked exciting.

How would you describe his playing style?

Direct. Think of Andros Townsend but then think of Gabriel Obertan he’s somewhere in between those two moulds.

What have been his highlights at Newcastle?

The one moment which springs to my mind is his goal v Manchester City in the League Cup, he must have been around 18 years of age at the time and put United 0-1 up within the first five minutes. It actually came from a placed header of his which he then capitalised on a back pass towards the ‘keeper and he burst through into the box and tucked in cleanly in the back of the net.

How would you sum up his time at Newcastle?

Frustrating. We wanted him to do well but it just never worked out. Many of us expected and hoped he would become a “Raheem Sterling” kind of player but it wasn’t meant to be, well not on Tyneside.

He hasn’t played for Newcastle since December 2017. Can you tell us more about why that is and his relationship with the fans?

It’s down to his injuries, it always has been. Aarons was an upcoming player which fans were excited to see but he just couldn’t remain fit for a handful of games. His relationship with the fans is exactly what you’d imagine, we wanted him to succeed at this club from day one but unfortunately, it never happened.

Do you think he can make an immediate impact with Huddersfield?

You would hope so. Since his last appearance for Newcastle, he’s travelled and played for a handful of different clubs including ones in Italy and the Czech Republic but more recently in England for Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe Wanderers. He wants to do well, you can see that when he steps on the field.

Based on what you’ve seen of him, how much potential does he have for the rest of his career?

It’s hard to see past now as a Newcastle fan because we were very optimistic, he’s 25 now so I’m not sure if we will ever see what his full potential could have been due to his injury back catalogue. His hamstring seems to be a recurring problem sadly.

Is there anything we should know about Newcastle that we don’t already?

He’ll amaze, frustrate and excite you when he walks on to that field. You will see some moments which he will get you on the edge of your seat, don’t expect to see him play every game of every season because I’m not sure his muscles will allow him but if he’s managed well and taken care of from a medical/physio aspect then I wish him the best of the luck in the world.

Sheffield Wednesday

Before joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan in January 2019 until the end of that season, Aarons made 11 Serie A appearances with Hellas Verona and featured 13 times in another loan spell at Czech team Slovan Liberec. Here, Ben Woodcock from Sheffield Wednesday podcast, The Wednesday Week, tells us more about his time at Hillsborough.

“He’s a really tricky winger, very skilful and very quick. He’s the type of player that gets you out of your seat, so exciting to watch! In the short time he was with us he was really good, seemed to fit in well with the group we had and a manager like Steve Bruce. He was one of our best performers for the 3/4 months we had him for.

“His main strengths were, again his skilful nature and how unpredictable he is, he was always a big handful for defenders and also has a good eye for a pass. The one that stands out while he was with us was against Sheffield United at Hillsborough. It’s genuinely one of the best passes I’ve ever seen and we should’ve scored from it. He’s a maverick while he’s got the ball but also works hard off it from what I can remember. With a lot of players like that you get the technical ability but without the work rate off the ball. He had both.

“I think he can make an immediate impact with Huddersfield, he did with us in a short spell so I’d imagine if things at the club are right he’ll make a similar impact. Based on what I’ve seen of him, I think he has huge potential. It was surprising that after he left Wednesday, Newcastle loaned him out to Wycombe in League One at the time. We would’ve loved to have him back. It seems like injuries have held him back at times but he stayed fit while at Wednesday and we probably saw the best of him.”

Wycombe

Aarons joined Wycombe on 2 September 2019 on a short-term loan, which came to an end on 12 January 2020. George from fan channel, The Wycombe Way, gives us the insight on his time at the Wanderers.

“He’s a tricky player Rolando Aarons, fairly small and quick on the ball, he likes to run at players and take them on. Naturally he’s not the strongest of lads either, so against the bigger defenders in the league he may struggle physically, but technically he’s got the capabilities to be one of the top players in the division over the next couple of seasons. Whips in a great cross, very rarely not on the money.

“At Wycombe, we didn’t see as much of him as we would’ve hoped. He was nursing an injury as he signed for us and so we didn’t see him in action right away. He then suffered another minor setback a couple of weeks into his return which really hindered his progress with us. I would definitely have had him back for the second half of last season, because the potential is clearly there, and it may have opened a door for us to sign him permanently.

“When he did play for us he looked a class above, especially against the lower sides in League One, he made it look simple at times. I feel as though the higher you go up the ladder, the less outrageous the skills need to be to beat a man. Against League One defences, a simple body faint was enough for him to breeze past a man. He shone in two games I remember well. We were 0-2 down to Posh at half-time, he was introduced at the break and won the MOTM award, as we nicked a point in a 3-3 draw. He also helped us get one over Sunderland, which must’ve been nice for him as a Newcastle loanee.

“He’s a showman, put simply. Quick and energetic, loves taking on a man. In the frontline that Town possesses, full of pace and trickery, I feel he’ll fit right in. He doesn’t try and do too much either, he’s not a young lad anymore, that experienced head he’s got on his shoulders now shows.

“Not many players make a huge, immediate impact signing in a January window, but utilised in the right system, I think Rolando will do well from the get-go. Like I said we wanted a bigger impact from his last season, potentially affected by those injury concerns, but he has an undeniable talent that with game time, will soon shine through.

“It speaks volumes that he was prepared to drop down to League One level to try and get a good amount of game time last season. Arrogance is an increasingly big thing in football and some players would’ve stuck their nose up at the offer. Being 25 and on the books of a PL club, once their hottest prospect, I doubt it was a decision that he made lightly. Credit to him he knuckled down with us and started to enjoy his football again. He’s not at the peak of his powers yet per-say, but he’s still got a number of years to reach that. I hope for his sake that he’s able to reach that potential, and I think Huddersfield is a good club for him to do that at.”

Motherwell

His last loan spell started in January 2020, when he joined Scottish side Motherwell on loan. Aarons only made six appearances in his time in Scotland, so Motherwell podcast, MFC Podcast, tells us more.

“He’s a quick and unpredictable winger, there’s certainly plenty of ability there - it is a question as to whether he can produce it on a regular basis. I think his short time was a mixed bag, but you could see he had quality. Last season ended in the midst of a battle for third spot between ourselves and Aberdeen, it would have been interesting to see how he would have fared in that crucial run.

“His ability to run at defenders and his pace were certainly his strengths. Like many wide players, consistency was an issue, though maybe that is harsh going on six games. Rolando is direct, he is the sort of player who will get fans off their seat in anticipation, there were times where I am not sure he knew what he was going to do when he got on the ball and that is very entertaining to watch.

“Given the fact he had opportunities in the Newcastle first-team, he certainly has talent. I would say though, at 25 he has not managed to accumulate a great number of games. This move will be pivotal in which direction his career goes in. Apologies I can’t offer much detailed insight, I do think you will enjoy Rolando in action if he gets up to speed quickly.”

Summary

When you initially look at the signing of Rolando Aarons, it could be argued that it’s not a transfer to go wild over or make you excited. However, from speaking to the fans from his parent club and loan spells, it seems like he has a hard work ethic and that bit of unpredictability that Town needs at the moment.

Much of Huddersfield’s success this season has been their effectiveness on the left side of the pitch, the combination of Harry Toffolo and Josh Koroma before his injury was crucial to Town getting points and being positive on the pitch. Aarons, who can play in the same position as Koroma, has the ability to be tricky and offer something different. It might not always come off, but the team needs to give the opposition something else to think about and it sounds like Aarons can offer that.

Every signing is a risk, it’s a classic cliché when talking about transfers but when you analyse the risk of this move, it is low. The player is 25 years old, still a couple of years away from the supposed prime of your career as a footballer and after shining brightly early in his time at Newcastle, has suffered injuries which have prevented his journey from continuing in an upwards trajectory.

With his Newcastle contract running out this summer before Huddersfield signed him, the costs, on paper, look relatively low and Aarons has a point to prove. The one doubt is Town fans have seen how this COVID-hit season has affected the squad from an injury perspective and with the ‘murderball’ training drills delivered by Corberán, it may take its toll on a player who already has an unfortunate injury record. Still, when he’s brought up to speed, it sounds like supporters have a new exciting number 16 to watch.

How do you think Rolando Aarons will do at Town? Let us know in the comments.

“He’ll amaze, frustrate and excite you”: The Inside Scoop on New Signing Rolando Aarons