Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder for club Charlton Athletic.
He began his career in 2012, in the youth team at Tranmere Rovers. After a brief spell at Motherwell, he joined Blackpool's youth ranks in 2019. In 2020, he made his professional debut for Blackpool, where he remained for five years. After several loan spells, including back at Tranmere, during which time he was named the 2023–24 EFL League Two Young Player of the Season. He joined Charlton Athletic in 2025.
Born in England to a Scottish father, he has ten Scotland caps combined at under-19 and under-21 level.
Club career
Blackpool Liverpool-born Apter was at Tranmere Rovers academy, leaving aged 15 after seven years. He was then at the Motherwell academy."'A bright spark in a dull team:' The rise of the Blackpool youngster hotly anticipated by many following loan spells with likes of Tranmere Rovers, Scunthorpe and Chester" blackpoolgazette.co.uk Amos Wynn, 26 Jily 2024
Aged 16, Apter secured a two-year scholarship at Blackpool in May 2019. In November 2020 he signed a two-year professional contract, with the option of an additional year. He made his senior debut later that month as a substitute in an EFL Trophy win versus Leeds United U21. He made his league debut, again as a substitute, in a 5–0 win at Wigan Athletic on 26 January 2021. In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's "The 11" award for under-18 players.
Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year."Apter Signs New Blackpool Contract" – Blackpool F.C., 3 December 2021 In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish Premiership side Livingston on a week-long trial with a view to signing on loan; no transfer materialised following the trial, however."Blackpool's Rob Apter joins Livingston on trial with a view to a loan in the January window" – Lancs Live, 16 December 2021
On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, before returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season. At the end of the season, he 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.
On 18 April 2025, Apter scored the first hat-trick of his career in Blackpool's 3–1 League One victory at Stevenage.
Bamber Bridge (loan) On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan."Bange And Apter Loaned To Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool F.C., 13 August 2021 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."An in-depth look at how Blackpool's players out on loan are getting on" – Blackpool Gazette, 5 October 2021 He returned to his parent club on 15 December."Rob Apter returns to Blackpool following impressive loan spell in non-league with Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool Gazette, 15 December 2021
Chester (loan) On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan."Apter Loaned To Chester" – Blackpool F.C., 3 January 2022 On 1 February 2022, the loan was extended until the end of the season."Chester Extend Apter Loan" – Blackpool F.C., 1 February 2022
Scunthorpe United (loan) On 28 August 2022, Apter joined National League club Scunthorpe United on loan until January 2023. He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town.
Tranmere Rovers (loan) On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024. He was nominated for League Two Player of the Month for November. The award was subsequently given to Jake Young."Sky Bet League Two Player and Manager of the Month for November" efl.com 8 December 2023
Charlton Athletic
Aged 22, on 17 July 2025, Apter transferred for a fee worth over £2 million to Charlton Athletic on a four-year deal."Exclusive: Charlton Athletic agree to sign Rob Apter in £2m+ deal" footballinsider247.com Pete O'Rourke, 15 July 2025 His competitive Charlton debut was in the league season opener, a single-goal victory over Watford on 9 August 2025. His first Charlton goal was in the 3–1 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers on 30 August 2025."Robert Apter Stats" flashscore.com
He ended his first month of playing Charlton first team football by being named Charlton Player of the Month for August 2025. He collected 39% of votes to win that award. "Rob Apter wins Player of the Month for August" charltonafc.com 8 September 2025
Bolton Wanderers (loan) On 28 January 2026, Apter joined Bolton Wanderers on loan for the remainder of the season.
International career Apter is eligible for Scotland via his father."Blackpool youngster's surprise at Scotland U21 selection" blackpoolgazette.co.uk Gavin Browne, 9 June 2024 In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s."Blackpool's Ewan Bange seals fresh loan move after prolific spell with Bamber Bridge" – Blackpool Gazette, 9 November 2021 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. He collected six under-19 and four under-21 Scottish caps.Robert Apter – Scottish FA
Style of play Apter has been reported as modelling his game on Jack Grealish and Philippe Coutinho."Rob Apter: I watch Jack Grealish, Phillippe Coutinho to help my game" skysports.com 25 November 2024 On signing for Charlton, manager Nathan Jones remarked, "Rob's exactly the type of player that we want to sign for Charlton Athletic - he's young, athletic, has a high ceiling and is a really technical player. He's an exciting player that can score and assist." His goalscoring technique has been described as liking to cut in to curl the ball into the opposite corner of the goal."Who is Rob Apter?" The Charlton Athletic Supporters' Trust, 18 July 2025
Personal life Apter's younger brother, Matthew, is also a footballer who plays for Cardiff City.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBlackpool2020–21League One10000010202021–22Championship00—00—002022–23Championship100000—102023–24League One00—20—202024–25League One458103010508Blackpool total478105020558Bamber Bridge (loan)2021–22NPL Premier Division18921—102110Chester (loan)2021–22National League North172———172Scunthorpe United (loan)2022–23National League194——10204Tranmere Rovers (loan)2023–24League Two371211—204013Charlton Athletic2025–26Championship1310000—1312026–27Championship100010—20Charlton Athletic total141001000151Bolton Wanderers (loan)2025–26League One130——00130Career total1653642606018138
Honours Individual EFL League Two Young Player of the Season: 2023–24 Charlton Athletic Player of the Month; August 2025
References
External links