Commerce City, Colo.- Connor Ronan has been transferred from Colorado Rapids in MLS to Aberdeen FC of the Scottish Premiership, Colorado announced Monday. Aberdeen has announced Ronan has sighed a two-year contract with a club option for 2028-29.
Ronan joined the Burgundy Boys in January 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Across three and a half seasons in Colorado, he made 103 appearances, recording 2 goals (one of which was a penalty), and 14 assists. He was awarded Player of the Season in 2023 by the Independent Rapids Media.
The former Irish U21 is a useful player, good teammate, and depth piece. He’s a great first midfielder off the bench. At his best, he’s a good player on a great team where he’s not the best midfielder. Good at many things as a number 8 or 6, but not a star player.
It’s a shame he and Jack Price never got to run the midfield as former Wolves teammates given the injuries to Price. In the last two years, Ronan has dealt with injuries and competition for places. Even when he wasn’t starting, he was a good substitute.
It’s too bad he was never on a good run of form when the team had a great season outside of 2024.
Read More: Diligent through injury recovery, Connor Ronan is back and focused.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of a four-year contract but Colorado did have an option for 2027. Ronan will reunite with Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson, who he played under at St Mirren in 2022. Former St. Louis CITY Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel joined Aberdeen in 2025 under the same role. Pfannenstiel is familiar with the player during their mutual time in MLS.
It’s a good time to leave and a good fit closer to home.
Colorado could look to strengthen the midfield with the open U22 slot. Or this just gives more minutes to the younger and cheaper Josh Atencio and Wayne Frederick II. That fits the club’s plan to promote young players and the game model. Ronan wasn’t the perfect fit for what Matt Wells wanted in a 6 or 8.
Burgundy Wave can confirm this was a free transfer. It’s not surprising but disappointing. They’ve freed up some cap space for the summer transfer window but a few hundred thousand could have helped.
Ronan had a nice parting message to the club on his Instagram:
“Denver Colorado, what a special special place, me and my family were made to feel at home from the second we arrived, our little boy has grew up there, our daughter was born there and we’ve made memories to last forever. We’ve met some amazing people along the way including everyone associated with @coloradorapids we’re going to miss a lot of people out there and met plenty of people who will keep us coming back! Thanks for everything!”
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Eamon Shaw 