Connor Ronan has returned to Scottish football, signing with Aberdeen after spending three years playing in the United States. The 28-year-old midfielder initially declined the opportunity to join the Dons earlier in his career as he remained focused on pursuing a Premier League career.

Ronan’s connection to Scottish football dates back five years, when then-St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin brought him on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Goodwin, who later became Aberdeen’s manager, sought to bring Ronan to Pittodrie in the summer of 2023. However, it was Stephen Robinson, Goodwin’s successor at St Mirren, who ultimately secured Ronan’s transfer to Aberdeen this summer.

Reflecting on his career, Ronan explained that he once held out hope of establishing himself in the Premier League with Wolves. He spent six months training regularly with their first-team squad and made a few brief appearances but did not fully break through. “I was kind of being dangled that carrot of maybe being around it again in the Premier League at Wolves and I was kind of holding on to that,” he said. Despite limited playing time, he acknowledged the experience was valuable.

As his contract in the United States neared its end, Ronan said the timing felt right both personally and professionally to return to Scotland. “It just seemed like the right time for me and my family to get back over here and, football-wise, the right time to come back over as well, so we jumped at it,” he added.

Ronan’s signing represents a reunion with familiar faces in Scottish football and marks a new chapter in his career after his stint abroad. Aberdeen’s acquisition of the midfielder aims to bolster their squad with a player who has experience both domestically and internationally.