Rob Apter
Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for EFL League One club Bolton Wanderers on loan from EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic. He began his career in 2012, in the youth team at Tranmere Rovers. After a brief spell at Motherwell, he joined Blackpool's youth ranks in 2019. In 2020, he made his professional debut for Blackpool, where he remained for five years. After several loan spells, including back at Tranmere, during which time he was named the 2023–24 EFL League Two Young Player of the Season. He joined Charlton Athletic in 2025. Born in England to a Scottish father, he has ten Scotland caps combined at under-19 and under-21 level.
.jpg) Apter in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Julian Apter[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 23 April 2003[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Right midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Bolton Wanderers (on loan from Charlton Athletic) | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012– | Tranmere Rovers | ||
| Motherwell | |||
| 2019–2020 | Blackpool | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2025 | Blackpool | 47 | (8) |
| 2021 | → Bamber Bridge (loan) | 18 | (9) |
| 2022 | → Chester (loan) | 17 | (2) |
| 2022–2023 | → Scunthorpe United (loan) | 19 | (4) |
| 2023–2024 | → Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 37 | (12) |
| 2025– | Charlton Athletic | 13 | (1) |
| 2026– | → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021–2022 | Scotland U19 | 6 | (1) |
| 2024 | Scotland U21 | 4 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:10, 14 April 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 15:10, 11 September 2025 (UTC) | |||
Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for EFL League One club Bolton Wanderers on loan from EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic.
He began his career in 2012, in the youth team at Tranmere Rovers. After a brief spell at Motherwell, he joined Blackpool's youth ranks in 2019. In 2020, he made his professional debut for Blackpool, where he remained for five years. After several loan spells, including back at Tranmere, during which time he was named the 2023–24 EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.[2] He joined Charlton Athletic in 2025.
Born in England to a Scottish father, he has ten Scotland caps combined at under-19 and under-21 level.[3]
Club career
[edit]Blackpool
[edit]Liverpool-born[4] Apter was at Tranmere Rovers academy, leaving aged 15 after seven years.[5] He was then at the Motherwell academy.[6]
Aged 16, Apter secured a two-year scholarship at Blackpool in May 2019. In November 2020 he signed a two-year professional contract, with the option of an additional year.[7] He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in an EFL Trophy win versus Leeds United U21.[8][9] He made his league debut, again as a substitute, in a 5–0 win at Wigan Athletic on 26 January 2021.[10][11] In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's "The 11" award for under-18 players.[12]
Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year.[13] In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish Premiership side Livingston on a week-long trial with a view to signing on loan; no transfer materialised following the trial, however.[14]
On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, before returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season.[15][16][17] At the end of the season, he was named EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.[18]
Apter scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 September 2024, in a 3–0 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.[19]
On 18 April 2025, Apter scored the first hat-trick of his career in Blackpool's 3–1 League One victory at Stevenage.[20]
Bamber Bridge (loan)
[edit]On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan.[21] As of 2 December, he had scored ten goals in all competitions, including one goal from the halfway line in November in a 4–1 win away at Witton Albion.[22] He returned to his parent club on 15 December.[23]
Chester (loan)
[edit]On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan.[24] On 1 February 2022, the loan was extended until the end of the season.[25]
Scunthorpe United (loan)
[edit]On 28 August 2022, Apter joined National League club Scunthorpe United on loan until January 2023.[26] He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town.[27]
Tranmere Rovers (loan)
[edit]On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024.[28][5] He was nominated for League Two Player of the Month for November.[29] The award was subsequently given to Jake Young.[30]
Charlton Athletic
[edit].jpg)
Aged 22, on 17 July 2025, Apter transferred for a fee worth over £2 million to Charlton Athletic on a four-year deal.[31][32] His competitive Charlton debut was in the league season opener, a single-goal victory over Watford on 9 August 2025. His first Charlton goal was in the 3–1 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers on 30 August 2025.[33]
He ended his first month of playing Charlton first team football by being named Charlton Player of the Month for August 2025. He collected 39% of votes to win that award.[34]
Bolton Wanderers (loan)
[edit]On 28 January 2026, Apter joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the season.[35]
International career
[edit]Apter is eligible for Scotland via his father.[36] In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s.[37] He made his debut for the under-19s on 10 November 2021 against Armenia. He scored his first goal for them three days later in a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar. He collected six under-19 and four under-21 Scottish caps.[3]
Style of play
[edit]Apter has been reported as modelling his game on Jack Grealish and Philippe Coutinho.[38] On signing for Charlton, manager Nathan Jones remarked, "Rob's exactly the type of player that we want to sign for Charlton Athletic - he's young, athletic, has a high ceiling and is a really technical player. He's an exciting player that can score and assist." His goalscoring technique has been described as liking to cut in to curl the ball into the opposite corner of the goal.[39]
Personal life
[edit]Apter's younger brother, Matthew, is also a footballer who plays for Cardiff City.[40][41]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 14 April 2026
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Blackpool | 2020–21[42] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021–22[43] | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2022–23[44] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24[45] | League One | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25[46] | League One | 45 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 50 | 8 | ||
| Blackpool total | 47 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 8 | |||
| Bamber Bridge (loan) | 2021–22[47] | NPL Premier Division | 18 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 21 | 10 | ||
| Chester (loan) | 2021–22[1] | National League North | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | 17 | 2 | ||||
| Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2022–23[1] | National League | 19 | 4 | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 20 | 4 | |||
| Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 2023–24[45] | League Two | 37 | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 40 | 13 | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2025–26[48] | Championship | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 1 | ||
| Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 2025–26[48] | League One | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 164 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 179 | 38 | |||
Honours
[edit]Individual
- EFL League Two Young Player of the Season: 2023–24[2]
- Charlton Athletic Player of the Month; August 2025
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "R. Apter: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Crysencio Summerville named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season". EFL. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b Robert Apter – Scottish FA
- ^ Rob Apter at Soccerway. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Tranmere bring back Apter on loan". BBC Sport. September 2023.
- ^ "'A bright spark in a dull team:' The rise of the Blackpool youngster hotly anticipated by many following loan spells with likes of Tranmere Rovers, Scunthorpe and Chester" blackpoolgazette.co.uk Amos Wynn, 26 Jily 2024
- ^ Scrafton, Matt (4 November 2020). "'It's been a dream come true': Highly-rated youngster signs professional contract with Blackpool". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Scrafton, Matt (11 November 2020). "Blackpool 3–0 Leeds United's U21s: Seasiders continue impressive recent form to qualify for knockout stages of EFL Trophy". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Scrafton, Matt (20 November 2020). "Blackpool boss won't rush the club's youngsters into the first team". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "Wigan Athletic 0–5 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Scrafton, Matt (27 January 2021). "'A near-perfect night for the depleted Seasiders': Matt Scrafton's verdict on Blackpool's five-star showing against Wigan Athletic". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "Rob Apter Named In The 11 By League Football Education". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. Blackpool F.C. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ "Apter Signs New Blackpool Contract" – Blackpool F.C., 3 December 2021
- ^ "Blackpool's Rob Apter joins Livingston on trial with a view to a loan in the January window" – Lancs Live, 16 December 2021
- ^ "Rob Apter rejoins Rovers on loan till the end of the season". www.tranmererovers.co.uk. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Rob Apter Signs New Contract". www.blackpoolfc.co.uk. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Tranmere re-sign Apter on loan until end of season". BBC Sport. 12 January 2024.
- ^ EFL (14 April 2024). "Crysencio Summerville named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season". EFL. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
- ^ "Blackpool v Burton Albion: League One". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "Stevenage v Blackpool: League One stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Bange And Apter Loaned To Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool F.C., 13 August 2021
- ^ "An in-depth look at how Blackpool's players out on loan are getting on" – Blackpool Gazette, 5 October 2021
- ^ "Rob Apter returns to Blackpool following impressive loan spell in non-league with Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool Gazette, 15 December 2021
- ^ "Apter Loaned To Chester" – Blackpool F.C., 3 January 2022
- ^ "Chester Extend Apter Loan" – Blackpool F.C., 1 February 2022
- ^ "Rob Apter joins on loan from Blackpool". www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Scunthorpe United 0–2 FC Halifax Town". BBC Sport. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ FC, Blackpool (1 September 2023). "Apter Joins Tranmere Rovers On Loan". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Nigel Adkins and Rob Apter nominated for Manager and Player of the Month". www.tranmererovers.co.uk. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Sky Bet League Two Player and Manager of the Month for November" efl.com 8 December 2023
- ^ "Exclusive: Charlton Athletic agree to sign Rob Apter in £2m+ deal" footballinsider247.com Pete O'Rourke, 15 July 2025
- ^ "Rob Apter joins the Addicks". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Robert Apter Stats" flashscore.com
- ^ "Rob Apter wins Player of the Month for August" charltonafc.com 8 September 2025
- ^ "Rob Apter joins Bolton Wanderers on loan". Charlton Athletic Official Site. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Blackpool youngster's surprise at Scotland U21 selection" blackpoolgazette.co.uk Gavin Browne, 9 June 2024
- ^ "Blackpool's Ewan Bange seals fresh loan move after prolific spell with Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool Gazette, 9 November 2021
- ^ "Rob Apter: I watch Jack Grealish, Phillippe Coutinho to help my game" skysports.com 25 November 2024
- ^ "Who is Rob Apter?" The Charlton Athletic Supporters' Trust, 18 July 2025
- ^ "Thankyou it's been an absolute pleasure! UTMP". instagram.com. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Battle of the Apters 🔥". facebook.com. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Rob Apter in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Rob Apter in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Rob Apter in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Rob Apter in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Rob Apter in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
- ^ "Bamber Bridge – Appearances – Robert Apter". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Games played by Rob Apter in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
External links
[edit]- Rob Apter at Soccerbase