Connor Roberts (footballer, born 1995)

Connor Richard John Roberts (born 23 September 1995) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a right-back for EFL Championship club Burnley, and the Wales national team.

Club career

Early career

Born in Neath, Roberts grew up in the nearby village of Crynant in Neath Port Talbot and joined Swansea City's Youth Academy at the age of 9. After progressing through the academy, Roberts won the 2014–15 Professional U21 Development League 2 title in his debut professional season and was rewarded with a new two-year contract.

Roberts signed a new three-year contract with Swansea City in September 2016. Upon returning from Bristol Rovers, Roberts linked up with Swansea City Under-23s and went on to win the 2016–17 Professional U23 Development League 2 title and 2016–17 Premier League Cup.

Loan moves

On 8 August 2015, Roberts joined League Two club Yeovil Town on a one-month loan deal, and made his debut later that day in a 3–2 defeat against Exeter City. Roberts quickly established himself at Huish Park, and the Glovers extended Roberts' loan contract to the end of the 2015–16 season. Roberts made 54 appearances for Yeovil over the course of the season, missing just one match due to a call-up to the Wales under-21 national team. Roberts received three Player of the Year Awards and was also voted Young Player of the Year.

In August 2016, Roberts joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a six-month loan deal. Roberts made his debut in a 3–2 victory over Northampton Town on 1 October 2016, and made a further four appearances for the Pirates before returning to Swansea.

On 14 July 2017, it was announced that Roberts would be joining Championship club Middlesbrough on a season-long loan deal. After making one league appearance his loan spell was terminated in January and he returned to Swansea City.

Swansea City

Roberts made his debut for Swansea City on 6 January 2018 in the FA Cup third round against Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 29 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Queens Park Rangers. On 3 June 2021, Roberts was named Swansea City Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.

Burnley

On 31 August 2021, Roberts joined Premier League side Burnley for an undisclosed fee signing a four-year deal. On 23 April 2023 Roberts was named in the EFL Championship Team of the Season.

On 1 February 2024, Roberts joined EFL Championship side Leeds United on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.

He scored his first goal for Leeds United against Leicester City on 23 February 2023, the equaliser in a 3-1 home win. On 21 May 2024, Burnley said he would return to the club once the loan ended.

International career

Roberts has been capped at Wales under-19 level. In March 2016, Roberts received his first call-up to the Wales under-21 side for their 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches, and made his debut as a second-half substitute in their 2–1 defeat against Romania, on 29 March 2016.

He was called into the Wales national football team for the first time on 15 March 2018. He made his senior international debut in the China Cup final against Uruguay in March 2018 when he came on as a 59th minute substitute for Declan John. Roberts scored his first goal for the senior team in a 4–1 victory over the Republic of Ireland on 6 September 2018, finishing a half-volley set up by Gareth Bale. In May 2021, he was selected for the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. On 16 June, Roberts scored the second goal in a 2–0 win against Turkey, once again assisted by Bale. On 26 June, Roberts' participation in the tournament ended due to a groin injury sustained in the first half, and Wales went on to lose 4–0 to Denmark.

In November 2022 he was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 May 2024

International

As of match played 26 March 2024

As of match played 13 November 2021. Wales' score listed first, score column indicates score after each Roberts goal.

Honours

Swansea City U23

• Premier League Cup: 2016–17

Burnley

• EFL Championship: 2022–23

Individual

• EFL Championship Team of the Season: 2022–23

• PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 Championship

• Swansea City Player of the Year: 2020–21

References

External links

• Connor Roberts at Soccerbase
• Connor Roberts – UEFA competition record (archive) 

1. List of people with surname Roberts
2. Connor Roberts
3. Connor Rozee
4. André Silva (footballer, born 1995)
5. Deaths in 2024
6. Bobby Connor
7. Scott Brown (footballer, born June 1985)
8. Casey (given name)
9. Jock (given name)
10. Connor Shaw
11. John (given name)
12. Vincent
13. Jake (given name)
14. Chelsea (name)
15. List of Collingwood Football Club players
16. Deaths in May 2024
17. 1995 in the United Kingdom
18. Murphy
19. Patrick (given name)
20. Xavier (given name)