# Rob Apter

Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for EFL League One club Blackpool. Born in England, he has represented Scotland at under-19 level.

## Club career

Born in Liverpool, Apter played for Tranmere Rovers academy, leaving aged 15 after seven years. Apter secured a two-year scholarship at Blackpool in May 2019 and signed a two-year professional contract with the option of an additional year in November 2020. He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in a 3–0 EFL Trophy win Leeds United U21. Apter made his league debut on 26 January 2021 as a late substitute in a 5–0 win away to Wigan Athletic and provided the assist for their final goal. In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's The 11 award for under-18 players.
On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan. As of 2 December, he had scored ten goals in all competitions, including one goal from the halfway line in November in a 4–1 win away at Witton Albion. He returned to his parent club on 15 December.
Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year. In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish side Livingston on a week long trial with a view to signing on loan. However no transfer materialised following the trial.
On 12 January 2024, he signed a new two-year contract with the club.
On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan. On 1 February, it was extended until the end of the season.
On 28 August 2022, Apter joined National League club Scunthorpe United on a short-term loan until January 2023. He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town.
On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024. He was nominated for League 2 Player of the Month for November.
On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season. At the end of the season, we was named EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.
Apter scored his first goal for Blackpool on 28 September 2024, in a 3–0 victory over Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.

## International career

In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s.
He made his debut for the under-19s on 10 November 2021 against Armenia. He scored his first goal for them three days later in a 3–0 victory over Gibraltar.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 28 October 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Blackpool | 2020–21 | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Blackpool | 2021–22 | Championship | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Blackpool | 2022–23 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Blackpool | Total | Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Bamber Bridge (loan) | 2021–22 | NPL Premier Division | 18 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 21 | 10 |
| Chester (loan) | 2021–22 | National League North | 17 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 2 |
| Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2022–23 | National League | 19 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19 | 4 |
| Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 2023–24 | League Two | 19 | 4 | | | | | | | | |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 56 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 16 |
* ↑ Appearance in EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

## Honours

Individual
* EFL League Two Young Player of the Season: 2023–24