Alexander Robertson (footballer, born 2003)

Alexander Sean Pablo Robertson (born 17 April 2003)[2] is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City. Born in Scotland, he represented both Australia and England at youth international level, before making his senior debut for Australia in March 2023.

For other uses, see Alexander Robertson.

Alexander Robertson
Personal information
Full name Alexander Sean Pablo Robertson[1]
Date of birth (2003-04-17) 17 April 2003
Place of birth Dundee, Scotland
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Portsmouth
(on loan from Manchester City)
Number 8
Youth career
Pagewood Botany
Maroubra United
2013–2015 Hakoah Sydney City East
2015–2017 Manchester United
2017–2021 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Manchester City 0 (0)
2021–2022 → Ross County (loan) 3 (0)
2023– → Portsmouth (loan) 12 (0)
International career‡
Australia U15
England U16
2019 England U17 2 (2)
2021 England U18 1 (0)
Australia U19
2023– Australia 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:57, 24 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 June 2023

Early life

Robertson was born in Dundee, Scotland to a Peruvian mother and Australian father, Mark, who played football professionally. He moved to his father's native Australia at the age of four,[3] where he lived in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra between the ages of five and twelve.[4][5]

Club career

Early career

Robertson took an interest in sports from an early age, but due to children in Australia not being insured to play football until they turned five at the time, his father enrolled him in local rugby league club Mascot Jets.[6] He also spent time at Bunnerong Gymnastics, a venue run by his grandparents, to improve his balance, before joining local football side Pagewood Botany.[6]

He spent time with Maroubra United and the Mr. Soccer Academy, run by his father Mark, before joining the academy of Hakoah Sydney City East at the age of ten.[6]

In September 2015, he trialled with English club Manchester United, and his family moved to England to facilitate the move.[6] Due to FIFA rules, Robertson was initially unable to play structured football with Manchester United, and had to train in a local park with his father to keep up his fitness.[6] He stayed with Manchester United for 2 years.[7]

Manchester City

After leaving Manchester United for rivals Manchester City at under-15 level,[8] Robertson rose quickly through the youth ranks to establish himself as a top young prospect, and was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2020.[9][10]

He made one appearance in the EFL Trophy in the 2020–21 season, in a 2–1 loss to Tranmere Rovers.[11]

Despite numerous injuries, Robertson was involved in first-team training on a regular basis, citing fellow midfielder Fernandinho as a mentor.[12]

Loan to Ross County

On 5 July 2021, Robertson joined Scottish club Ross County on a season-long loan, with manager Malky Mackay stating that he had been tracking the young midfielder "for four years".[7][13][14]

He made his debut for Ross County on 21 July 2021, in a 1–0 Scottish League Cup win over Brora Rangers, coming on as a 66th minute substitute for fellow loanee Jake Vokins.[15]

Robertson returned to Manchester City early in January 2022.[16]

Loan to Portsmouth

On 7 August 2023 he moved on loan to Portsmouth.[17]

International career

Robertson is eligible to represent Australia through his father, Scotland through birth, Peru through his mother, and England, having lived there for most of his teen life.[5] He has represented Australia and England at youth international level.[5][10][13] On 14 March 2023 he was called to represent the Australia men's national soccer team for two friendly matches against Ecuador.[18]

Personal life

Robertson is the son of former Australian international soccer player Mark Robertson.[12]

His grandfather, Alex, represented an Australian B team in 1984.[3][4][19]

Career statistics

Club
As of 24 October 2023[2]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City U23 2020–21 – 1[lower-alpha 1]010
Manchester City 2021–22 Premier League 0000000000
2022–23 Premier League 0000000000
2023–24 Premier League 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Ross County (loan) 2021–22 Scottish Premiership 300020–50
Portsmouth (loan) 2023–24 EFL League One 12000201[lower-alpha 1]0150
Career total 150004020210
  1. Appearances in the EFL Trophy

International
National teamYearAppsGoals
Australia 202310
Total10

References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". Premier League. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  2. "A. Robertson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. Lewis, Dave (23 February 2020). "Manchester City rookie Robertson set for Australia debut". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  4. Weiner, David (5 April 2019). "Meet Manchester City's teenage Aussie superstar in the making". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  5. Francis, Kieron (17 February 2021). "Australian talent Alexander Robertson scores for Manchester City Under-23's". sportingnews.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  6. Conrad, Alex (23 March 2023). "Inside the rise of teen chased by PL giants... and how Socceroos won the international tug-of-war". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  7. "Alexander Robertson: Man City midfielder joins Ross County on loan". bbc.co.uk. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  8. Leigh, Neil. "Alex Robertson". mancity.com.
  9. "Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  10. Lewis, Dave (9 October 2020). "Aussie gun Robertson makes list of 60 best youngsters in the world". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  11. Bray, Joe (8 December 2020). "Tranmere vs Man City U21s highlights as Delap scores and Mbete sent off in defeat". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  12. Bajkowski, Simon (9 February 2021). "'It's what you dream of': The promising City youngster who came from Manchester United... and found setbacks to be a blessing". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  13. "Alexander Robertson Joins the Staggies". rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  14. Chalk, Paul (16 July 2021). "Manchester City loanee Alexander Robertson was wanted for Scotland by Ross County boss Malky Mackay". pressandjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  15. "Brora Rangers 0–1 Ross County". bbc.co.uk. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  16. Skinner, Andy (7 January 2022). "Alexander Robertson returning to Manchester City after Ross County loan cut short". Press and Journal. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  17. "Portsmouth sign Man City midfielder Robertson". 7 August 2023 – via bbc.co.uk.
  18. Smithies, Tom (13 March 2023). "Arnold's five-word A-Leagues statement as plot for Socceroos future begins". keepup.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  19. Stock, Greg. "Socceroo B Matches for 1984". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
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