FORMER Newcastle wonderkid Rolando Aarons has signed for non-league club Morecambe on a free transfer.
The winger, now 29, was once tipped for greatness when he came through the ranks at St James’ Park in 2014.
Former Newcastle starlet Rolando Aarons has joined Morecambe on a free transfer
Aarons admitted his mental health has been affected by his injury woes
But a string of injuries halted his progress as he played just 27 times in nine years for the Magpies.
After a number of loans, he finally left in 2021 for before being loaned to .
Last year, he had a brief spell with Slovenian side Celje before joining the PFA training squad this pre-season in a bid to maintain his fitness.
Aarons has now found a new club after the Shrimps decided to give him a chance to show his true quality.
He joins a Morecambe side that is on the up after avoiding liquidation following a financial crisis.
The player posted a picture of himself in Morecambe training gear on his Instagram account on Tuesday, with the caption: “Let’s go have some fun then.”
Morecambe boss Ashvir Singh Johal believes Aarons will add “massive value” to the squad after his experience at the top level.
He said: “I’m delighted that Rolando has chosen to join us, he’s a winger who we identified early on and we’re pleased we managed to get it done as there was a lot of competition for his signature.”
“He sees it as an environment that will bring the best out of him, he’s very experienced, playing in the Premiership, and and is someone who will add massive value to this side.”
It ends a difficult period for Aarons after his agonising injury problems continued to plague his career.
During an interview with the Athletic in 2019, he called himself “the most unlucky footballer in the world” and revealed how injuries had affected his mental health.
He said: “I broke down a few times. During my first season, I called my mum and cried down the phone after my hamstring injuries.
“Then, after my ACL operation, I ran a bath and couldn’t physically get into the tub.
“I just wept, thinking, ‘I’m the most unlucky footballer in the world.’ I felt helpless.
“I got into a dark place, mentally. I didn’t know anyone else who’d been through that experience so I was trying to do it all myself.”
But after joining the PFA squad this summer, he revealed he had been given a huge lift as he hailed the organisation’s support.
“Massive thanks to @the_pfa for support in maintaining my fitness and for creating such a positive, professional, and hardworking environment for players to come into. Feeling fully prepared for my next adventure!“
