# Alexander Robertson (footballer, born 2003)

Alexander Sean Pablo Robertson (born 17 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Cardiff City. Born in Scotland, he represented both Australia and England at youth international level, before making his senior debut for Australia in March 2023.

## Early life

Robertson was born in Dundee, Scotland to a Peruvian mother and Australian father, Mark, who played football professionally. He moved to his father's native Australia at the age of four, where he lived in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra between the ages of five and twelve.

## Club career
### Early career

Robertson took an interest in sports from an early age, but due to children in Australia not being insured to play football until they turned five at the time, his father enrolled him in local rugby league club Mascot Jets. He also spent time at Bunnerong Gymnastics, a venue run by his grandparents, to improve his balance, before joining local football side Pagewood Botany.
He spent time with Maroubra United and the Mr. Soccer Academy, run by his father Mark, before joining the academy of Hakoah Sydney City East at the age of ten.
In September 2015, he trialled with English club Manchester United, and his family moved to England to facilitate the move. Due to FIFA rules, Robertson was initially unable to play structured football with Manchester United, and had to train in a local park with his father to keep up his fitness. He stayed with Manchester United for 2 years.

### Manchester City

After leaving Manchester United for rivals Manchester City at under-15 level, Robertson rose quickly through the youth ranks to establish himself as a top young prospect, and was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation" list for 2020.
He made one appearance in the EFL Trophy in the 2020–21 season, in a 2–1 loss to Tranmere Rovers.
Despite numerous injuries, Robertson was involved in first-team training on a regular basis, citing fellow midfielder Fernandinho as a mentor.

#### Loan to Ross County

On 5 July 2021, Robertson joined Scottish club Ross County on a season-long loan, with manager Malky Mackay stating that he had been tracking the young midfielder "for four years".
He made his debut for Ross County on 21 July 2021, in a 1–0 Scottish League Cup win over Brora Rangers, coming on as a 66th-minute substitute for fellow loanee Jake Vokins.
Robertson returned to Manchester City early in January 2022.

#### Loan to Portsmouth

On 7 August 2023 he moved on loan to Portsmouth. In January 2024, Robertson was ruled out for the remainder of the 2023–24 season having torn his hamstring attempting a backheel in training.

### Cardiff City

On 7 August 2024, Robertson signed for Championship club Cardiff City on a four-year contract. The initial fee was reported to be just under £1 million with the potential to rise to £3 million should all add-ons be met.

## International career

Robertson is eligible to represent Australia through his father, Scotland through birth, Peru through his mother, and England, having lived there for most of his teen life. He has represented Australia and England at youth international level. On 14 March 2023, he was called to represent the Australia men's national soccer team for two friendly matches against Ecuador and made his debut, from the bench on 24 March 2023, becoming the first third-generation international for Australia in the process.

## Personal life

Robertson is the son of former Australian international soccer player Mark Robertson. His uncle is former Scotland international Gavin Rae.
His grandfather, Alex, represented an Australia team in eight unofficial international matches 1984.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 11 March 2025
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester City U23 | 2020–21 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | 2023–24 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manchester City | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ross County (loan) | 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 |
| Portsmouth (loan) | 2023–24 | EFL League One | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Cardiff City | 2024–25 | Championship | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 55 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 66 | 5 |
* 1 2 Appearances in the EFL Trophy

### International

| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Australia | 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 1 | 0 |

## Honours

Portsmouth
* EFL League One: 2023–24