Oliver Rathbone
English footballer (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oliver Michael Rathbone (born 10 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL Championship club Wrexham.[4][5]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Oliver Michael Rathbone[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 10 October 1996[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Blackburn, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Central midfielder[3] | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Wrexham | ||
| Number | 20 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2016 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2021 | Rochdale | 152 | (12) |
| 2021–2024 | Rotherham United | 122 | (7) |
| 2024– | Wrexham | 56 | (14) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:54, 28 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
Early career
Rathbone started in the youth ranks of Manchester United. On 21 February 2015, Rathbone scored a 40-yard winner in an U18s game against Derby County.[6] The goal won Manchester United's Goal of the Month award.[7] After failing to make the breakthrough at Manchester United, Rathbone was released in June 2016.
Rochdale
On 24 June, Rathbone agreed to join EFL League One side Rochdale, signing a one-year contract.[8][9] He made his competitive debut on 4 October in the EFL Trophy against Notts County. Days later, Rathbone made his first league appearance in a win over Southend United.[4] Rathbone netted his first goal over Walsall in November.[4][10]
After two goals in thirty-three appearances in his debut season, Rathbone signed a new contract with the club until June 2019 on 18 August 2017.[11] His 100th match for Rochdale arrived on 9 March 2019 during a victory versus Shrewsbury Town.[4] He was offered a new contract by Rochdale at the end of the 2018–19 season.[12] On 24 June, Rathbone signed a new three-year deal to keep him under contract until the summer of 2022.[13][14]
Rotherham United
On 4 August 2021, Rathbone signed a three-year contract with Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee.[15] He made his debut in the first game of the 2021–22 season against Plymouth Argyle on 7 August 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute.[16] He scored his first goal for the club on 25 September 2021, against Crewe.[17] He left the club to sign for Wrexham on 9 August 2024.
Wrexham
On 9 August 2024, Rathbone signed for Wrexham on a three-year deal lasting until 2027.[18] On 23 November 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 home victory over Exeter City.[19]
Personal life
He is the son of former footballer Mick Rathbone.[9]
Career statistics
- As of match played 7 March 2026[4]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rochdale | 2016–17 | League One | 27 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 33 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | League One | 33 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2018–19 | League One | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3[a] | 0 | 32 | 6 | |
| 2019–20 | League One | 24 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1[a] | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2020–21 | League One | 40 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
| Total | 152 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 183 | 15 | ||
| Rotherham United | 2021–22 | League One | 42 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[a] | 0 | 52 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | Championship | 38 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | 41 | 5 | ||
| 2023–24 | Championship | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 45 | 1 | ||
| Total | 122 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 138 | 8 | ||
| Wrexham | 2024–25 | League One | 41 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | 48 | 8 |
| 2025–26 | Championship | 15 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 19 | 7 | ||
| Total | 56 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 67 | 15 | ||
| Career total | 333 | 32 | 20 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 24 | 0 | 386 | 37 | ||
- Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
Honours
Rotherham United
- League One runner-up: 2021–22[20]
- EFL Trophy: 2021–22[21]
Wrexham
- EFL League One runner up: 2024-25
Individual