Ryan Hedges
Ryan Peter Hedges (born 8 July 1995) is a professional footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers and the Wales national football team. Early life. Hedges attended Hawarden High School in Hawarden, Flintshire, North Wales. Michael Owen, Andy Dorman, Gary Speed and Danny Ward are fellow ex-pupils from the school who became professional footballers. Club career. Everton. Hedges spent seven seasons at Everton, eventually being released at under-16 level. Swansea City. Hedges joined Swansea City from Flint Town in July 2013 following some impressive performances for the Welsh Schools Under-18 team. Hedges linked up with the Swansea City  Under-21 team in the 2013–14 season, and was rewarded for his progress with a new one-year contract until June 2014. In June 2015, Hedges signed a three-year contract extension at Swansea. Leyton Orient loan. On 16 January 2015, Hedges joined League One team Leyton Orient on a one-month loan deal. He made his professional debut for Leyton Orient against Colchester United on 24 January 2014. After an impressive start, Hedges' loan was extended until the end of the 2014–15 season. Hedges scored his first professional goal for Leyton Orient, and then set up a goal for Chris  Dagnall, in a 2–0 win over Walsall on 28 February 2015. Weeks later on 14 March 2015, Hedges scored his second goal for Leyton Orient in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town. Hedges went on to make seventeen appearances, scoring twice, as Orient were relegated to League Two. Stevenage loan. In February 2016, Hedges joined Stevenage on a one-month emergency loan. Yeovil Town loan. On 8 July 2016, Hedges signed for League Two side Yeovil Town on a six-month loan deal. Barnsley. On 31 January 2017, Hedges was recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil, and signed permanently  for EFL Championship side Barnsley for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract. He scored his first goal for Barnsley in a 3–1 loss at Bristol City on 5 August 2017. Aberdeen. Hedges was offered a new contract by Barnsley at the end of the 2018–19 season, but he instead opted to sign a three-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen. On 27 August 2020, he scored a hat-trick as Aberdeen won 6–0 at home against NSÍ Runavík in the Europa League first qualifying round, having only come on as a half-time substitute . Blackburn Rovers. On 30 January 2022, Hedges joined Blackburn Rovers on a three-and-a-half year deal, with an optional 12 month extension, for an undisclosed fee. International career. Prior to joining Swansea City, Hedges scored twice and claimed an assist as captain of the Welsh Schools Under-18s team in a 4–1 win over England. Hedges has represented Wales at under-19 and under-21 level. He made his debut for the senior side on 14 November 2017 as a substitute during a 1–1 draw with Panama. Honours. Club. Barnsley