Oliver Rathbone

Oliver Michael Rathbone (born 10 October 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for EFL Championship club Wrexham.^[4][5]

Oliver Rathbone

Personal information
Full name	Oliver Michael Rathbone[1]
Date of birth	(1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth	Blackburn, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Position(s)	Central midfielder[3]
Team information
Current team	Wrexham
Number	20
Youth career
0000–2016	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2021	Rochdale	152	(12)
2021–2024	Rotherham United	122	(7)
2024–	Wrexham	41	(8)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:01, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Career

Early career

Rathbone started in the youth ranks of Manchester United. On 21 February 2015, Rathbone scored a 40-yard winner in an U18s game against Derby County.^[6] The goal won Manchester United's Goal of the Month award.^[7] After failing to make the breakthrough at Manchester United, Rathbone was released in June 2016.

Rochdale

On 24 June, Rathbone agreed to join EFL League One side Rochdale, signing a one-year contract.^[8][9] He made his competitive debut on 4 October in the EFL Trophy against Notts County. Days later, Rathbone made his first league appearance in a win over Southend United.^[4] Rathbone netted his first goal over Walsall in November.^[4][10]

After two goals in thirty-three appearances in his debut season, Rathbone signed a new contract with the club until June 2019 on 18 August 2017.^[11] His 100th match for Rochdale arrived on 9 March 2019 during a victory versus Shrewsbury Town.^[4] He was offered a new contract by Rochdale at the end of the 2018–19 season.^[12] On 24 June, Rathbone signed a new three-year deal to keep him under contract until the summer of 2022.^[13][14]

Rotherham United

On 4 August 2021, Rathbone signed a three-year contract with Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee.^[15] He made his debut in the first game of the 2021–22 season against Plymouth Argyle on 7 August 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute.^[16] He scored his first goal for the club on 25 September 2021, against Crewe.^[17] He left the club to sign for Wrexham on 9 August 2024.

Wrexham

On 9 August 2024, Rathbone signed for Wrexham on a three-year deal lasting until 2027.^[18]

Personal life

He is the son of former footballer Mick Rathbone.^[9]

Career statistics

As of match played 3 May 2025^[4]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Rochdale	2016–17	League One	27	2	4	0	0	0	2[a]	0	33	2
	2017–18	League One	33	1	4	0	1	0	4[a]	0	42	1
	2018–19	League One	28	4	0	0	1	2	3[a]	0	32	6
	2019–20	League One	24	2	2	0	3	1	1[a]	0	30	3
	2020–21	League One	40	3	1	0	2	0	3[a]	0	46	3
	Total		152	12	11	0	7	3	13	0	183	15
Rotherham United	2021–22	League One	42	2	3	0	1	0	6[a]	0	52	2
	2022–23	Championship	38	4	1	0	2	1	—		41	5
	2023–24	Championship	42	1	1	0	2	0	—		45	1
	Total		122	7	5	0	5	1	6	0	138	8
Wrexham	2024–25	League One	41	8	1	0	1	0	5[a]	0	48	8
Career total			319	27	17	0	13	4	24	0	369	31

1. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

Honours

Rotherham United

• League One runner-up: 2021–22^[19]
• EFL Trophy: 2021–22^[20]

Wrexham

• EFL League One runner up: 2024-25

Individual

• Wrexham Player of the Season: 2024–25^[21]