COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids announced today they have signed midfielder Connor Ronan from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (Wolves) on a four-year deal with a club option for an additional year, pending completion of his medical and receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“Connor is a highly technical and versatile midfielder who can play in both deep-lying and box-to-box midfield roles,” said Pádraig Smith, Colorado Rapids Executive VP & General Manager. “He brings a high level of energy and ability to cover a lot of ground defensively, but also exceptional vision and passing qualities. We’re excited to add a player of his talent to our roster and look forward to welcoming him to Colorado.”
Ronan, 24, joins the Rapids after spending the 2021 season on loan with St. Mirren FC of the Scottish Premiership where he was named the club’s Player of the Year. The central midfielder scored eight goals and delivered five assists across 30 appearances. During his time with The Buddies, he became known for scoring long range goals, including a 30-yard strike in the Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals.
Ronan originally joined Wolves in 2014 at age 16, spending three years with the youth side before making his senior debut on December 17, 2016, at 18 years old. He went on to make 15 appearances for Wolves across all competitions, including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Championship and EFL Cup, winning the 2017-18 EFL Championship league title with the club.
During his time with Wolves, Ronan was also sent on various loan spells across the continent, including stops in England (Portsmouth FC, Walsall FC, Blackpool FC), Slovakia (FC DAC 1904) and Switzerland (Grasshopper Club Zürich), helping Grasshoppers win the Swiss Challenge League and promotion to the Super League during the 2020-21 season. In total, Ronan scored 12 goals and delivered 18 assists across 153 senior-level appearances in all competitions.
At the youth international level, Ronan has represented the Republic of Ireland at the U-21, U-19 and U-17 age groups, as well as England’s U-17 team. At the senior level, Ronan was called up for the Republic of Ireland’s friendlies against Belgium and Lithuania in March 2022, though he is still looking to earn his first cap for the senior side.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign midfielder Connor Ronan from Wolverhampton Wolves FC to a four-year deal with a club option for an additional year, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa, on January 23, 2023.
Connor Ronan
Pronunciation: ROH-nan
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 154
Birthdate: March 6, 1998
Birthplace: Rochdale, England
Last Club: Wolverhampton Wolves FC
Nationality: Ireland, England
