Aaron Jay Jones (born 12 March 1994) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Aldershot Town.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Aaron Jay Jones[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 March 1994[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Great Yarmouth, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Aldershot Town | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2012 | Ipswich Town | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2014 | Georgia State Panthers | 36 | (3) |
| 2015–2016 | Clemson Tigers | 39 | (4) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | Carolina Dynamo | 12 | (2) |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Union | 0 | (0) |
| 2017 | → Bethlehem Steel (loan) | 32 | (2) |
| 2018–2023 | King's Lynn Town | 167 | (5) |
| 2023– | Aldershot Town | 24 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:28, 18 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
Playing career
Youth, college and amateur
Jones spent 10 years with Ipswich Town's development academy before moving to the United States to play college soccer at Georgia State University.[2][3] He made a 36 appearances for the Panthers and tallied three goals and seven assists. On 8 January 2015, it was announced that Jones had decided to transfer to Clemson University.[4] He made 39 appearances during his time with the Tigers and finished with four goals and seven assists.[citation needed]
Jones also played in the Premier Development League for Carolina Dynamo.[5]
Professional
On 13 January 2017, Jones was drafted in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.[6] He signed a professional contract with the club a month later.[7] On 1 April 2017, Jones made his professional debut with USL affiliate club Bethlehem Steel in a 3–2 defeat to Rochester Rhinos.[8]
On 1 November 2017, Philadelphia declined their contract option on Jones.[9]
King's Lynn Town
On 24 August 2018, upon his return from the US, Jones signed a two-year deal with Southern League Premier Central side King's Lynn Town.[10]
Aldershot Town
On 23 June 2023, Jones reunited with former King's Lynn manager Tommy Widdrington at National League club Aldershot Town on a one-year deal.[11]
Business career
Alongside his football career, Jones also serves as co-director of Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, which has been owned by his family for multiple generations.[12]