Manchester City just can’t stop developing exciting youngsters and Ryan McAidoo is the latest to start catching the attention of supporters.
Though there have already been several unusual downs in the 2024/25 season for Manchester City, the number of academy graduates getting opportunities is a pleasing positive.
Phil Foden and Rico Lewis are obvious first-teamers already but James McAtee has also broken into the squad while Pep Guardiola has handed debuts to Nico O’Reilly, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Kaden Braithwaite.
Meanwhile, though the senior side might be struggling, City’s EDS continues to impress after a blistering start to their Premier League 2 campaign.
The Heskey brothers, Jaden and Reigan, have been the standouts so far but now, Ryan McAidoo, who is knocking on the door after shining for the Under-18s, is making sure people know his name.
Here’s everything you need to know about the hotshot.
- Who is Jahmai Simpson-Pusey? Get familiar with Man City’s latest academy graduate who impressed in his debut
How old is Ryan McAidoo?
Ryan McAidoo was born on June 24, 2008, in London, England, and as of November 2024, he is 16 years old.
Instagram and X/Twitter accounts
McAidoo has an official Instagram account with 8k followers that you can follow @ryan.mcaidoo.
He does not appear to have an official X, formerly Twitter, account.
What position does Ryan McAidoo play?
As is becoming increasingly normal from the players City produce, McAidoo is a versatile forward capable of playing pretty much anywhere.
City’s official website describe him as a ‘dynamic, explosive winger’ who can ‘operate across the front line’ while he has also played in attacking midfield positions on occasion.
Ryan McAidoo goals in 19-minute hat-trick vs Feyenoord
Just hours before City threw away their three-goal lead against Feyenoord in the Champions League, City’s Under-19s had no such issues in their UEFA Youth League encounter.
The young Blues trounced their Dutch counterparts 6-1 at the Academy Stadium, with McAidoo scoring a 19-minute hat-trick off the bench.
He had been on the pitch a matter of seconds before getting his first goal and grabbed another two before the last minute. Reigan Heskey also got two while another highly-rated forward, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht got the other.
Telling City’s website, McAidoo credited his teammates for the hat-trick: “I think our work rate always reaps rewards.
“Just him [Justin Oboavwoduo] pressing got me the reward and the reward for the team so if we can keep up that work rate it could be good for the future and maybe even winning the tournament.
“At first I was a bit hesitant [to claim the penalty kick] because Reigan [Heskey] and Justin [Oboavwoduo] are normally on penalties.
“But Reigan was nice enough to give me the penalty so I’m really grateful to him.”
Praise for McAidoo
McAidoo was highly rated at Chelsea and he is already showing that potential in Manchester. Despite his tender years, he is a regular for the Under-18s and has made his Under-21s debut at City.
Speaking to City’s official website, EDS boss Ben Wilkinson said: “It’s one of the better ones [substitute appearances] for sure!
“He was close to starting the game, he’s done really well when he’s played in this competition so far this season and we did consider him seriously as a number nine today which is somewhere he’s not played with us before.
“We thought he might be better to come on later in the game and impact when the spaces were a bit bigger and that’s kind of what happened.
“We know he can come short and linking the play but also run in behind which is what he did for his first couple of goals. It’s a great day for him in terms of getting the rewards for his work.
“But it’s a team game and he probably got the reward of some of the other lads’ work in terms of the effort they put in and spaces they created.”
Ryan McAidoo squad number
Though McAidoo has not been involved with the first team at all, he has been handed the No.49 squad number at the club after playing in the EFL Trophy.
When did Man City sign Ryan McAidoo?
City brought in McAidoo in the summer of 2024 after he decided to leave Chelsea. The teenager also spent a period of his development at Colchester United.
Ryan McAidoo stats
| Age Group | Appearances | Goal | Assists | Yellow cards | Red cards |
| Under-18s | 15 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Under-19s | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Under-21s | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
