Rolando Aarons has revealed that he was close to joining Leeds United before signing for Newcastle in 2012.
The winger missed out on Newcastle’s 25-man squad after the signings of Emil Krafth and Allan Saint-Maximin. Since then, he has joined League One side Wycombe Wanderers on loan who are top of their division.
In an interview with the Athletic, Aarons has now disclosed that he was about to sign a professional contract with Leeds United, but the Toon offered a Premier League scholarship that he couldn’t refuse.
“I was very close to signing for Leeds. I remember thinking, ‘Newcastle have offered a scholarship, whereas Leeds have offered a professional deal, which gives me security.” Aarons stated in the interview. “But I actually want to be a Premier League player’.
“I’d dreamed of that since I was a kid, even if I didn’t think it was possible, so I chose Newcastle.”
However, his career at St. James’ has been blighted by injuries and circumstances that have restricted him to only 22 league games for Newcastle. His career has seen him sent out on loan four times including spells in Italy and the Czech Republic.
Things might have been different for Aarons if he had chosen the more secure option of signing for Leeds, but his ambition to play in the Premier League persuaded him to join Newcastle.
His future at Newcastle now remains unsure with his contract running out in the next 20 months. He is currently featuring on the wing for Wycombe Wanderers where he has helped them to the top of League One with one goal in six starts.
Aarons dubbed himself the unluckiest footballer in the world in this revealing interview with the Athletic. It seems, that, if he had chosen to sign with the Whites back in 2012 then his career might have been more fulfilling than it has been so far.
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