Aberystwyth Town Seal Agreement With Former Birmingham City Player

Aberystwyth Town have bolstered their squad with the signing of former Birmingham City midfielder Rico Patterson.

The 20-year-old, who was one of 13 players released by the Championship side this summer, has now secured a move to the Cymru Premier, Wales’ top football division. His new side are ninth after four games, and needing a boost to get their season started.

Patterson has agreed to a six-month contract with the Seasiders, which will keep him at the club until January 2025. His transfer is currently pending international clearance, but once confirmed, the young midfielder could make his debut in a challenging fixture against league champions TNS, who are competing in the UEFA Conference League group stage. That’s the same club that inflicted their largest ever defeat, 11-0, just under three years ago.

Born in Birmingham, Patterson didn’t make a senior appearance for his hometown club but captained the under-18s team, playing alongside notable talents like Jobe Bellingham and Jordan James, who have gone on to secure significant transfers. In the final months of his Birmingham contract, Patterson spent time on loan at Rushall Olympic in the National League North, where he made just one league appearance.

Aberystwyth Town, based at Park Avenue, aims to climb the Cymru Premier ranks this season. The Seasiders have faced a tough start but are looking to strengthen their squad with Patterson’s arrival, hoping to improve their position in the league standings. Their own European ambitions are quite challenging, having only played in the Europa League once, losing 9-0 to Derry across two legs in 2014.

Site Opinion

The Seasiders are not one of Wales’ big hitters, and perhaps the level could be compared to step six of the English leagues. However, that doesn’t mean this is a move that’s akin to Patterson dropping out of the Football League in England.

There’s a chance, albeit a slim one, of success in a national division, and indeed a national cup. Sometimes, there’s even a chance of European success, and the League of Ireland sides have shown that to be possible under UEFA’s new expanded formats.

Aberystwyth is a long way from that level, but a good season would see them qualify, unlike a good season in the English National League, which would bring little in terms of European acknowledgement.