'I just hate the physio room' - Rotherham United's new signing Aaron Nemane keen to stay available
Aaron Nemane has spoken after joining Rotherham United from Milton Keynes Dons
Rotherham United have been plagued by injuries in recent years, so Aaron Nemane’s availability record will make for enjoyable reading.
The 28-year-old has become the League Two club’s second summer signing, following Fabio Tavares through the door at the New York Stadium and penning a two-year deal.
A tricky winger, he has arrived on a free transfer after helping Milton Keynes Dons seal automatic promotion from the fourth tier.
He ticks plenty of boxes for the Millers, but his knack for avoiding absences will prove particularly appealing to a fanbase that have grown tired of player availablity issues.
Aaron Nemane keen to stay available
In his first in-house media interview as a Rotherham player, Nemane said: “The last three seasons, I think I’ve missed one game through suspension, one game through injury, and the other games I was just on the bench and didn’t get put on. I’ve been available quite a lot the past three years, so hopefully it happens again.
“As a footballer, I just always want to play. Without trying to sound crazy, I hate being in the physio room - I just hate the physio room. I just want to be out on the pitch, training, playing, that’s just me.”
Last season, when Rotherham’s relegation from League One was confirmed, owner Tony Stewart blasted player availability issues as the “main reason” behind the club’s failure to stay up.
Nemane was available for all 46 of MK Dons’ league fixtures last term, ending the campaign with a tally of three goals and four assists across 38 games.
Aaron Nemane’s penchant for the spectacular
A product of Manchester City’s academy and a former Rangers loanee, Nemane also has a penchant for the spectacular.
He was given the Goal of the Season award by MK Dons last season, a gong he also scooped at Notts County in 2024.
The wideman said: “I just try and play my game - a few dribbles and it ends up going in the net when I shoot!
“As a player, I like to be direct, I like to take players on, create chances. That’s me as a player. Hopefully I score a few nice goals, assists as well. As a person, I’m just really chilled - a happy person. I get on with everyone.”
A new era at Rotherham United
Nemane has arrived at a club bruised by years of shortcomings, one in dire need of a resurgence. The man who has been tasked with overseeing one is former England boss Steve McClaren, who is in post as the club’s head of football.
Working underneath McClaren is former Leeds United and Hull City defender Alex Bruce, who was recently unveiled as the club’s new head coach.
Nemane said: “I spoke to him (McClaren) over the phone and obviously when I’ve been here this morning, I spoke to him as well. [We had] really, really good chats about what he sees in me, what he wants me to do, just easy chats really.
“They got in touch me last week about potentially moving. I just kind of knew, when Rotherham came in for me, I just felt like, ‘yeah’. Obviously just coming down to League Two, where they’ve been in the past, I just felt like it was a good fit for me to come here.
“The club’s now a bit different to how it was. We want to get it back to how it used to be.”