Marco Rus

Marco Alin Rus (born 23 January 2003) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Championship club Ayr United.

Marco Rus

Personal information
Full name	Marco Alin Rus
Date of birth	(2003-01-23) 23 January 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Ayr United
Number	23
Youth career
2015–2019	Yeovil Town
2019–2021	Southampton
2021–2022	Coventry City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Coventry City	0	(0)
2022	→ Hereford (loan)	4	(1)
2023	→ Chorley (loan)	6	(1)
2023–2024	→ Chorley (loan)	6	(2)
2024	→ Universitatea Cluj (loan)	7	(0)
2024–	Ayr United	31	(3)
International career
2019	Romania U16	3	(0)
2019–2020	Romania U17	5	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:29, 13 August 2025 (UTC)

Born in Cluj-Napoca, he moved to England at the age of 9. He played for the youth academies of English clubs Yeovil Town, Southampton and Coventry City before signing a senior contract at Coventry and spending time on loan at Hereford, Chorley and Universitatea Cluj. He joined Ayr United on a permanent basis in June 2024.

Early life

Rus was born in Cluj-Napoca, but when he was 9 he moved to England with his family. He played for the youth academies of English clubs Yeovil Town, Southampton and Coventry City.^[1][2][3]

Club career

Coventry City

In the summer of 2021, Rus joined the academy of EFL Championship club Coventry City after being released by Southampton at the end of the previous season. After a trial period, he signed a two-year contract until June 2023.^[4]

In June 2023, Rus signed a new two-year contract at Coventry until 2025.^[5]

Loan to Hereford

On 3 December 2022, Rus joined National League North club Hereford on a one-month loan.^[6] He made his debut the same day in a 2–1 league defeat away against King’s Lynn Town.^[7] He scored his first and only goal for Hereford three days later on his home debut in a 1–1 league draw against Chorley.^[8]

Loans to Chorley

On 23 March 2023, Rus joined National League North club Chorley on loan until the end of the season.^[9]

On 9 December 2023, Rus returned to Chorley on a one-month youth loan.^[10]

Loan to Universitatea Cluj

On 13 February 2024, Rus joined Liga I club Universitatea Cluj on loan until the end of the season.^[11] He made his league debut against FCSB on 19 February 2024.^[12][13]

Ayr United

On 15 June 2024, Rus signed for Scottish Championship club Ayr United for an undisclosed fee.^[14]

Personal life

His father, Alin, was also a professional footballer.^[15]

Career statistics

As of match played 9 August 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		League cup[b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Coventry City	2021–22[16]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2022–23[17]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2023–24[18]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hereford (loan)	2022–23[19]	National League North	4	1	0	0	—		0	0	4	1
Chorley (loan)	2022–23[19]	National League North	6	1	0	0	—		0	0	6	1
Chorley (loan)	2023–24[19]	National League North	6	2	0	0	—		0	0	6	2
Universitatea Cluj (loan)	2023–24[19]	Liga I	7	0	1	0	—		—		8	0
Ayr United	2024–25[20]	Scottish Championship	29	3	2	0	3	1	5[c]	1	39	5
	2025–26[21]	Scottish Championship	2	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	6	0
	Total		31	3	2	0	7	1	5	1	45	5
Career total			54	7	3	0	7	1	5	1	69	9

1. Includes FA Cup, Cupa României, Scottish Cup
2. Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
3. Three appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

Individual

• Ayr United Goal of the Season: 2024–25^[22]
• Ayr United Young Player of the Year: 2024–25^[22]