Another Year for Aaron

Raith Rovers Football Club are today delighted to announce that Aaron Arnott has signed a new contract that will see him remain at Stark’s Park until the end of 2023/24. 

Rovers Manager John McGlynn has moved to hand the 18-year-old an improved and extended deal after his progression in his First Team this campaign, after signing from the Fife Elite Football Academy two-years-ago.

The midfielder first arrived at Starks Park in the Summer of 2020 making one sole appearance in his first year at the club before making an impact during pre-season and into the beginning of the campaign.

Arnott’s progression this season has seen the youngster amass 20 appearances across all competitions, which saw him net a crucial winner in our SPFL Trust Trophy Semi-Final victory over Kilmarnock in February which the club and management team alike were keen to reward.

The club believe that Arnott’s extension signals that he is the next in an already long line of young talent coming through the ranks of the club, following on from the likes of Kieran Bowie, Dylan Tait, Ross Matthews and Lewis Vaughan.

It is hoped that Arnott’s extension can be seen as a pathway of progression and as an act of encouragement for the apprentices currently under contract at Starks Park, with Greig Young, Kieran Mitchell and Quinn Coulson also making appearances at various stages of the campaign.

On the deal, 18-year-old Arnott told RaithRovers.net:

“I’m delighted to have signed on and extend my stay until the end of the 2023/24 season. 

“I’ve enjoyed getting the minutes that I have done and I feel as if I’m developing every day working with the Gaffer and Smudger (Paul Smith). 

“It gives me that incentive to go and push on again going into the final few games and then the start of Pre-Season in a few months’ time. 

“There’s so many role-models here for me to learn from, none other than Ross Matthews who’s been there done that and worn the t-shirt. 

“He came through the Academy and he was the captain just over a fortnight ago in the SPFL Trust Trophy Final, it gives not only me but the rest of the younger boys’ confidence that if we put the work in and try our hardest then the club will reward us with opportunities. 

“It makes it that wee bit more special considering that Raith are a club local to me and have the stature that they have in the Community. 

“All my pals can get to the games and a few of them are Raith die-hards too so it means a lot that I’m able to play in front of them. 

“The new deal does cap off a relatively good breakthrough year for myself, I never thought I’d play as much as I have let alone score the goal that would get us to a national cup final, so hopefully I can repay the faith shown in me over the next few seasons.”