Chris Cadden

Christopher Cadden (born 19 September 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Aberdeen. Cadden, who is a product of the Motherwell Academy, has previously played for Motherwell, Albion Rovers, Columbus Crew, Oxford United, and Hibernian. He made two full international appearance for Scotland in May 2018.

Club career Motherwell Cadden made his Motherwell debut as a substitute in a 4–1 win against Hearts on 1 March 2014. On 6 March 2015, Cadden joined Scottish League Two club Albion Rovers on loan until the end of the season. Cadden scored his first career goal on 4 April 2015, as Albion Rovers beat Berwick Rangers 2–0, and another in Albion Rovers' league-winning match against Clyde. His loan spell concluded with the club being promoted as divisional winners. In March 2016, he signed a new contract with the club to run until the summer of 2018. By now establishing himself in the first team, he also contributed to Motherwell's Under-20s winning the Scottish Youth Cup for the first time. Cadden signed another contract with Motherwell in November 2016, extending its term by another year. He played in the finals of the 2017–18 League Cup and the 2017–18 Scottish Cup, both of which resulted in 2–0 defeats for Motherwell at the hands of Celtic.

Columbus Crew SC On 23 July 2019, free agent Cadden signed for Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew SC; it was announced that he would be immediately loaned to English club Oxford United and would join the Crew in advance of the 2020 season. Motherwell stated they would negotiate for a training compensation fee, due to no formal arrangement being in place with MLS in respect of clubs which had developed a young player receiving a payment when they left out of contract.

Loan to Oxford United Cadden made his Oxford debut in a 1–1 draw at Sunderland on the opening day of the 2019–20 season. During Cadden's loan spell, he made 21 appearances for Oxford and was widely considered one of the best right backs in EFL League One.

Return to Columbus Cadden started the 2020 season as depth at both the wing and wing-back positions, but was widely considered the successor to 33-year-old Ghanaian Harrison Afful. Cadden made his debut for the Crew against New York City FC in the first game of the season. He came on in the 87th minute for fellow debutant Lucas Zelarayán. Cadden was linked with a return to Great Britain with Hibernian, Aberdeen, and Oxford United.

Hibernian On 15 January 2021, Cadden returned home to Scotland, signing for Hibernian on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He signed a new contract with Hibs in August 2022, which is due to run until the end of the 2024–25 season. Cadden suffered an achilles tendon injury during the last game of the 2022–23 season, which prevented him from playing for several months. He made his first appearance since the injury on 10 February 2024, in a Scottish Cup tie against Inverness.

Aberdeen Cadden signed a two-year contract with Aberdeen on 31 July 2026.

International career

In August 2016, Cadden was named in the Scotland under-21 squad for the first time ahead of the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Macedonia and Ukraine, receiving the call having initially been left out the squad. He made his debut against Ukraine on 6 September 2016.

On 17 May 2018, Cadden was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of their friendlies against Peru and Mexico; he made his full Scotland debut on 29 May, in a 2–0 defeat to Peru.

Personal life His twin brother, Nicky, is also a professional footballer; he too plays for Hibernian after moving from Barnsley in 2024. The brothers attended Our Lady's High School, Motherwell, one year group ahead of fellow footballer Kieran Tierney. Their father Steve also won a lower division title with Albion Rovers and appeared in a Youth Cup final for Motherwell.

International

Honours Albion Rovers Scottish League Two: 2014–15

Columbus Crew MLS Cup: 2020