Matthew George Robert Ridenton (born 11 March 1996) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a midfielder for Lions FC.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew George Robert Ridenton | ||
| Date of birth | (1996-03-11) 11 March 1996 (age 28) | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lions FC | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2013 | Auckland City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013 | Auckland City | ||
| 2013–2018 | Wellington Phoenix | 73 | (4) |
| 2014–2017 | Wellington Phoenix Reserves | 16 | (4) |
| 2018–2020 | Newcastle Jets | 30 | (1) |
| 2020 | Brisbane Roar | 4 | (1) |
| 2020–2021 | Wellington Phoenix | 8 | (0) |
| 2021– | Lions FC | 41 | (8) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013 | New Zealand U-17 | 7 | (0) |
| 2015 | New Zealand U-20 | 9 | (1) |
| 2014– | New Zealand | 5 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 8 June 2018 | |||
Ridenton played youth football for Three Kings United and Saint Kentigern College, and made his career debut the age of 18 for ISPS Handa Premiership club Auckland City.
Ridenton signed a professional contract at Hyundai A-League side Wellington Phoenix in 2013. After four seasons of sporadic appearances, he broke out in the 2017–18 A-League season, making 26 appearances as the Phoenix finished ninth.
On 9 May 2018, it was announced that Ridenton would move to 2017–18 A-League runners-up Newcastle Jets on a two-year contract, reuniting with former Wellington Phoenix manager Ernie Merrick.[1]
In January 2020, Ridenton joined EFL Championship club Reading for a week-long trial.[2] On 6 November 2020 it was announced that Ridenton had returned to the Phoenix, signing a one-year contract with the club.[3] Following the end of the 2020–21 season, Ridenton departed the club.[4]
In May 2014, Ridenton was called into the All Whites squad by interim coach Neil Emblen for a friendly match against South Africa.[5]