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Aaron Hickey

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Aaron Hickey
Personal information
Full name Aaron Buchanan Hickey[1]
Date of birth (2002-06-10) 10 June 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Full-back
Team information
Current team
 Brentford
Number 2
Youth career
2012–2014 Heart of Midlothian
2014–2018 Celtic
2018–2019 Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Heart of Midlothian 24 (1)
2020–2022 Bologna 47 (5)
2022– Brentford 34 (0)
International career‡
2019 Scotland U17 3 (0)
2022– Scotland 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:40, 7 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:57, 23 November 2023 (UTC)

Aaron Buchanan Hickey (born 10 June 2002) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Premier League club Brentford and the Scotland national team.

Hickey played youth football for Heart of Midlothian and Celtic, before returning to Hearts where he made his senior debut in 2019. After two seasons in Italy with Bologna, he signed for English club Brentford in 2022.

Hickey represented Scotland at under-17 youth level, before making his senior international debut in 2022.

Club career

Early career

After spending time in the youth system at Heart of Midlothian, Hickey had a spell with the academy teams at Celtic. After four years at Celtic he chose to return to Hearts in 2018, with Celtic receiving 30% of a future transfer fee.[3][4]

Hearts

On 10 May 2019, Hickey made his debut for the club in a 2–1 loss away to Aberdeen, in the penultimate game of the 2018–19 season.[4][5][6] On 25 May 2019, Hickey started in the 2019 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic, becoming the youngest player to appear in the final since John Fleck in 2008.[7]

On 22 September 2019, he scored his first senior goal, the winner in the Edinburgh derby as Hearts won 2–1 away at Hibernian.[8]

In August 2020 he was linked with a transfer away from the club, with interest from German club Bayern Munich,[9][10][11] Italian club Bologna,[12][13] English club Aston Villa,[14] and French club Lyon.[15] Hearts manager Craig Levein also revealed that Celtic had made "five or six" attempts to sign Hickey.[16] Towards the end of the month the BBC reported that Bologna had made the first official bid for Hickey,[17] although Hearts said that the offer was too low.[18]

Bologna

Bologna made an updated offer for Hickey, which was accepted by Hearts on 8 September 2020.[19] On 24 September 2020, Hickey completed a moved to the Serie A side for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1.5 million.[20][21][22] He said he chose Bologna over Bayern due to the Italian club's family feel, and their intention to use him in their first-team.[4] Due to the suspension of regular left-back Mitchell Dijks,[23] Hickey made his first Serie A appearance on 28 September in a 4–1 win against Parma.[24] His first season at Bologna was cut short by shoulder surgery in March 2021, restricting him to 12 appearances, even though he clocked up the fourth-highest minutes total of any under-21 player across the top five European leagues.[25] At the end of the season, he was nominated for the 2021 Golden Boy award.[26]

Hickey returned to Bologna's first team following his injury, starting the first game of the 2021–22 season against Salernitana, which Bologna won 3–2.[27] On 21 September 2021, Hickey scored his first goal for Bologna, in their 2–2 draw with Genoa in the Serie A.[28][29] In November 2021 he was described as "flourishing in Serie A with Bologna".[30] On 24 April 2022, Hickey became the first Scot to score 5 goals in a single Serie A season since Graeme Souness in 1984–85 for Sampdoria.[31]

Brentford

Bologna accepted an offer for Hickey from Premier League club Brentford in July 2022.[32] On 9 July 2022, Brentford announced that they had signed Hickey on a four-year contract, subject to international clearance.[33][34] Hickey regularly played on the right side of defence for Brentford during the 2022–23 season, although he missed a few months due to suffering an ankle ligament injury in October.[35] In 2023, when Manchester City were linked with a transfer, Thomas Frank said, "We will not sell him. He’s not even been here a year, with all due respect. I think he’s a very good young player that I think has a fantastic future ahead of him. There needs to be a little bit more to get into the City team in terms of performances. I think he’s done well and I really like him. I think he can get up there."[36]

International career

Hickey has represented Scotland U17, making his debut for the side in a 0–0 draw against France U17 on 5 February 2019.[37]

He was selected in the Scotland U21 squad for the first time in November 2020,[38] but withdrew due to injury.[39] He was recalled in September 2021,[40] but pulled out from that squad due to another injury.[41] He then also withdrew from the following squad, saying he wanted to rest.[42]

In March 2022, after being left out of the under-21 squad,[43] Hickey was included in the senior Scotland squad for the first time.[44] He made his senior international debut on 24 March in a 1–1 draw with Poland.[45]

Style of play

Hickey primarily played for Hearts as a left-back, although he can also play as a central midfielder,[4] and also right-back and centre-back, and his "versatility is yet another key attribute".[30] Hickey has been compared to fellow Scottish left-back Andy Robertson, although Hickey has played down the links.[46] He mainly played for Bologna as an attacking left wing-back, and scored five goals during the 2021–22 Serie A season.[47] Brentford have used him as either a right-back or right wing-back,[35] Most of his appearances for Scotland have also been as a right-back or right wing-back.

Former Hearts manager Craig Levein described Hickey by saying that "he's got really good defensive qualities but I don't know if he'll end up being a full-back, he might end up going back into midfield [...] he could be a fantastic holding midfielder with his great awareness of danger and his ability to get out of tight situations with the ball at his feet".[4] Levein has also said that Hickey is shy, quiet, and reserved.[4] Hearts captain Steven Naismith praised Hickey's intelligence, while Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson praised his maturity, saying that "he's like a 24- or 25-year-old in an 18-year-old's body [...] he's very mature for his age, he's composed, has good physique, ticks all the boxes".[4]

Personal life

On 13 December 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19.[48]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 7 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Heart of Midlothian 2018–19[49] Scottish Premiership 2 0 1 0 0 0 – 3 0
2019–20[50] Scottish Premiership 22 1 2 0 6 0 – 30 1
Total 24 1 3 0 6 0 0 0 33 1
Bologna 2020–21[51] Serie A 11 0 1 0 – – 12 0
2021–22[51] Serie A 36 5 0 0 – – 36 5
Total 47 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 48 5
Brentford 2022–23[52] Premier League 26 0 0 0 0 0 – 26 0
2023–24[53] Premier League 8 0 0 0 2 0 – 10 0
Total 34 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 36 0
Career total 105 6 4 0 8 0 0 0 117 6

International

As of match played 19 November 2023[54][55]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2022 7 0
2023 7 0
Total 14 0

References

  1. ^ "2022/23 Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Aaron Hickey". Brentford F.C. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Manchester City plot Aaron Hickey swoop". Evening Times.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "The Scot who turned down Bayern" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ "Aaron Hickey". Heart of Midlothian F.C. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  6. ^ Ghosh, Ratul (9 April 2022). "Aaron Hickey: The most experienced teenager in Europe will join Brentford in a £14m transfer". Foot The Ball.
  7. ^ "Hearts team news: 16-year-old Aaron Hickey starts but Uche Ikpeazu on bench". Edinburgh Evening News. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Hibs 1–2 Hearts: Aaron Hickey nets late Edinburgh derby winner". 22 September 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Hearts defender very impressed by Bayern Munich visit". 10 August 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Hearts' Aaron Hickey cannot turn down chance to become the next Alphonso Davies". www.scotsman.com.
  11. ^ "Bayern Munich closing in on deals for Celtic youngster and Aaron Hickey". HeraldScotland.
  12. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Bologna latest in long line of clubs to be linked with Hearts starlet". www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
  13. ^ Fairnie, Robert (17 August 2020). "Bologna expecting Aaron Hickey decision today as Italian side await answer". edinburghlive.
  14. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Bayern Munich, Bologna & Aston Villa chasing Hearts teenager". 2 August 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. ^ McDermott, Scott (15 August 2020). "Aaron Hickey transfer latest as Lyon join race for Hearts youngster9i". Daily Record.
  16. ^ "Celtic tried to sign Hickey – Levein" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Bologna steal march on Bayern Munich after making Hearts offer". 27 August 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  18. ^ "Bologna's Aaron Hickey bid 'nowhere near' Hearts' valuation". 28 August 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. ^ "Hearts accept Bologna's Hickey bid" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  20. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Bologna sign teenager from Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Hickey to Bologna". BolognaFC. 24 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Facing Zlatan would be crazy – Hickey" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  23. ^ Sked, Joel (28 September 2020). "Ex-Hearts star Aaron Hickey in line for Bologna debut tonight against Parma - and how fans can watch him in action". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  24. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Sinisa Mihajlovic says Scot has 'great future' after Bologna debut". BBC Sport. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  25. ^ Harris, Jay (9 July 2022). "Aaron Hickey to Brentford: What will Thomas Frank's side be getting for their money?". The Athletic.
  26. ^ McDougall, Mark (15 June 2021). "Hickey earns Golden Boy nomination as ex-Hearts star listed on incredible list". Edinburgh Live. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  27. ^ Copeland, Robbie (23 August 2021). "Aaron Hickey makes winning Bologna return as ex Hearts man starts in chaotic Serie A opener". edinburghlive.co.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  28. ^ Cohen, Charlotte (21 September 2021). "Aaron Hickey scores first Bologna goal as Scotland rising star earns his moment of redemption after Inter nightmare". dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  29. ^ "Hickey proud to match Scottish legends" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  30. ^ a b "Aaron Hickey: 'You go to bed thinking about playing at San Siro – that's a wow moment'". the Guardian. 27 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Who is Aaron Hickey? The €24m Bologna starlet set to join Arsenal". Football Transfers. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  32. ^ Idessane, Kheredine (2 July 2022). "Aaron Hickey: Brentford agree transfer fee for Bologna and Scotland left-back". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Aaron Hickey: Brentford sign Scottish defender from Bologna". BBC Sport. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Aaron Hickey signs for Brentford". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  35. ^ a b Harris, Jay (22 February 2023). "Mads Roerslev or Aaron Hickey? Brentford's right-backs offer contrasting qualities". The Athletic. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  36. ^ Richardson, John (23 September 2023). "Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal in three-way battle for Brentford star Aaron Hickey". The Mirror.
  37. ^ "Aaron Hickey". Scottish FA. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  38. ^ Lindsay, Clive (28 October 2020). "Aaron Hickey: Bologna left-back given first Scotland Under-21 call-up". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  39. ^ Campbell, Andy (10 November 2020). "Aaron Hickey: Bologna defender one of four to pull out of Scotland U21s squad". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Hickey back in Scotland U21 squad". BBC Sport.
  41. ^ McDonald, Ryan (6 October 2021). "Aaron Hickey's Scotland commitment defended as ex-Hearts star's two year absence continues". www.footballscotland.co.uk. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  42. ^ Coyle, Andy (9 November 2021). "Hickey withdraws from Scotland Under-21 squad needing rest". STV Sport. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  43. ^ McPheat, Nick (9 March 2022). "Aaron Hickey: Bologna full-back left out Scotland Under-21 squad after discussion with Gemmill". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  44. ^ "Aaron Hickey called up to Scotland squad for Poland friendly". BBC Sport. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  45. ^ Mullen, Scott (24 March 2022). "Scotland 1–1 Poland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  46. ^ "Robertson comparison 'unrealistic' - Hickey". BBC Sport.
  47. ^ "Aaron Hickey exclusive: Bologna left-back open to new challenge amid Premier League and Serie A interest". Sky Sports. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Official statement". BolognaFC. 13 December 2020.
  49. ^ "Games played by Aaron Hickey in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  50. ^ "Games played by Aaron Hickey in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  51. ^ a b Aaron Hickey at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  52. ^ "Games played by Aaron Hickey in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  53. ^ "Games played by Aaron Hickey in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Aaron Hickey". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  55. ^ Aaron Hickey at the Scottish Football Association
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