* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15:10, 13 September 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 15:10, 11 September 2025 (UTC)
Robert Julian Apter (born 23 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays for EFL Championship club Charlton Athletic. A versatile attacking player, Apter can play on either flank and also through the middle behind the central striker.[2] Apter was 2023–24EFL League Two Young Player of the Season when on loan from Blackpool to Tranmere Rovers.[3] He was awarded Charlton Player of the Month for his first month playing there in August 2025.[4] Born in England to a Scottish father, he has 10 Scotland caps combined at under-19 and under-21 level.[5]
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.[8] He subbed on to a senior debut later that month in an EFL Trophy win versus Leeds United U21.[9][10] Apter subbed on later in his league debut 5–0 win at Wigan Athletic on 26 January 2021. Apter assisted the fifth goal.[11][12] In February 2021, he was one of 33 players awarded with the League Football Education's The 11 award for under-18 players.[13]
Apter signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool on 3 December 2021, with an option of a further year.[14] In December 2021, Apter joined Scottish Premiership side Livingston on a week long trial with a view to signing on loan. However no transfer materialised following the trial.[15]
On 12 January 2024, Apter signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Blackpool, returning to Tranmere for a second loan until the end of the season.[16][17][18] At the end of the season, we was named EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.[19]
On 13 August 2021, Apter joined Bamber Bridge on loan.[22] 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.[23] He returned to his parent club on 15 December.[24]
Chester (loan)
On 3 January 2022, Apter joined Chester on an initial 28-day loan.[25] On 1 February 2022, the loan was extended until the end of the season.[26]
On 1 September 2023, Apter joined Tranmere Rovers on loan until January 2024.[29][7] He was nominated for League Two Player of the Month for November.[30] The award was subsequently given to Jake Young.[31]
Aged 22, on 17 July 2025, Apter transferred for a fee worth over £2 million[32] to Charlton Athletic on a four-year deal.[33] His competitive Charlton debut was in the league season opener, 1–0 home win against Watford on 9 August 2025. His performance was rated 7.7 on Flashscore. His first Charlton goal was in the 3–1 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers on 30 August 2025. His performance was rated 7.8 on Flashscore.[34]
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.[4]
International career
Apter is eligible for Scotland via his Scottish father.[35] In September 2021, Apter was called up to the Scotland under-19s.[36] 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.[5]
Style of play
Apter has been reported as modelling his game on Jack Grealish and Philippe Coutinho.[37] He has been described as having “superb feet and a fantastic touch” and compared to Pat Nevin. On signing for Charlton, manager Nigel Adkins 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.[38]
The Charlton website article announcing his August 2025 Player of the Month award commented that Apter impressed with, "exciting displays down the right flank."[4]
Personal life
Apter's younger brother, Matthew, is also a footballer who currently plays for Cardiff City.[39][40]
Career statistics
As of match played 13 September 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
.jpg)
.jpg)
