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Kevin McDonald (footballer, born 1988)

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For people with similar names, see Kevin McDonald (disambiguation).

Kevin McDonald
McDonald lining up for Scotland U21s in 2009
Personal information
Full name Kevin David McDonald[1]
Date of birth (1988-11-04) 4 November 1988 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Carnoustie, Scotland
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.92 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Exeter City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Dundee 90 (14)
2008–2011 Burnley 51 (2)
2010 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 5 (1)
2011 → Notts County (loan) 11 (0)
2011–2013 Sheffield United 77 (5)
2013–2016 Wolverhampton Wanderers 120 (8)
2016–2021 Fulham 116 (6)
2022 Dundee United 9 (0)
2023 Exeter City 11 (3)
2023–2024 Bradford City 19 (0)
2024– Exeter City 0 (0)
International career‡
2006 Scotland U19 1 (0)
2007–2010 Scotland U21 14 (2)
2018 Scotland 5 (0)
Managerial career
2023 Bradford City (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:50, 31 March 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:26, 7 October 2021 (UTC)

Kevin David McDonald (born 4 November 1988) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Exeter City.

He began his career with Dundee before moving to England to sign for Burnley, for whom he played one season in the Premier League. He spent two full seasons with Sheffield United before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2013 where he spent three seasons. McDonald signed for Fulham in 2016 and made his full international debut for Scotland in March 2018. His career was disrupted by illness, which resulted in him needing a kidney transplant. He left Fulham in 2021 and, after recovering from the operation, he signed for Dundee United.

Club career

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Dundee

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Born in Carnoustie, McDonald was initially signed as a youngster by Dundee and worked his way into the first team for the Scottish Championship side. He had been the subject of a £75,000 bid from Celtic in June 2006 which was rejected by Dundee.[4]

By May 2008, Dundee manager Alex Rae told the media that he would let McDonald leave the club if a suitable offer was received.[5] On the same day it was revealed that Dundee had rejected an offer of £250,000 from English Championship side Burnley.[6]

Burnley

[edit]

Burnley eventually had a second offer of £500,000 accepted,[7] and McDonald was signed on a three-year deal,[8] scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Derby County at the end of November 2008.[9]

In Burnley's 2008–09 League Cup campaign McDonald scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Arsenal at Turf Moor. His second strike against the Gunners was particularly precise, an outside of the right foot strike from the edge of the area.[citation needed]

His career with Burnley suffered after he left the stadium without permission (after being substituted) during a 6–1 defeat against Manchester City in April 2010.[10] Out of the Burnley first team, he signed for Championship rivals Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan in October 2010. This was followed by another loan to League One side Notts County in February 2011, running until the end of the 2010/11 season.[11]

Sheffield United

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At the end of the 2010–11 season McDonald was released by Burnley and undertook a trial with League One Sheffield United leading to a one-year contract with the South Yorkshire club.[12][13] McDonald made his debut for the Blades against Brentford on 13 August 2011.[13] Initially used as a substitute he gradually became the focus of the team's midfield and a regular starter as the season progressed and the team contested for a promotion place. An injury during the play–off semi-final victory against Stevenage meant that McDonald missed the play-off final, which was lost on penalties to Huddersfield. Out of contract, it was initially uncertain whether he would return to the club, but following negotiations he signed a new two-year contract with Sheffield United at the end of July 2012 whilst in Malta on their pre-season tour.[14][15]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

[edit]
McDonald playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014

On 14 August 2013 McDonald moved to fellow League One club Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee (reported to be £750,000).[16][17] After making his Wolves debut as a substitute in a 2–1 win at Bristol City on 17 August 2013,[18] he scored his first goal two weeks later in a 3–1 win at Port Vale on 31 August.[19]

McDonald became a regular starting player in the Wolves' side that set a new League One points record (103) as it won the division. At the conclusion of the campaign, he won both the Fans' as well as the Players' Player of the Season Awards,[20] having been already also named in the PFA's League One Team of the Year.[21]

At Championship level, he remained a regular member of Wolves' team, featuring in every league game as the club missed out on the play-off on goal difference. Over the summer he attracted interest from fellow Championship club Fulham, who reportedly bid for the midfielder after failing to agree a new contract at Wolves. He admitted to being aware of the interest and said "it is obviously a bit unsettling not knowing where you are going to be".[22] He subsequently agreed a new three-year deal at Wolves that was due to run until summer 2018.[23]

Fulham

[edit]

Despite his new contract agreement with Wolves, McDonald eventually moved to Fulham after the 2015–16 season, signing for the London club on 22 July 2016 for an undisclosed fee in a three-year deal (with the option of an additional year).[24] He scored his first goal for Fulham in a 2–2 draw with Cardiff City on 20 August 2016.[25]

In March 2021, McDonald stated that he will receive a kidney transplant in April 2021 which may end his playing career prematurely.[26] McDonald was unable to play for Fulham during the 2020–21 season due to his illness.[26] He said in July 2021 that he had undergone the operation, having received a kidney from his brother Fraser.[27] In August 2021 McDonald revealed that his kidney disease was IgA nephropathy, a chronic disease characterised by the gradual build-up of an antibody in the kidneys' filtration system that causes a gradual deterioration in kidney performance.[28]

Dundee United and afterwards

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After leaving Fulham at the end of the 2020–21 season upon the expiry of his contract, McDonald went six months without a club. During January 2022, he trained with Dundee United, and signed a short-term contract with them on 1 February 2022.[29] Released by United at the end of the season, he went on trial with Derby County, playing for them in a pre-season friendly but missing out on a contract due to injury. He subsequently trained with Fulham's under-21 team and planned to do some coaching.[30]

Exeter City

[edit]

On 31 January 2023, McDonald signed for League One club Exeter City on a short-term contract until the end of the season having been training with the club for a short period.[31] McDonald scored his first goal for Exeter on 25 February, in a 2–0 win against Cambridge United.[32][33] It was also his first goal since he received a kidney transplant in 2021,[32] and came eight days after his daughter was born.[33]

Bradford City

[edit]

On 20 June 2023, McDonald signed for Bradford City on a free transfer on a two-year deal.[34] He became player-caretaker manager on 4 October 2023.[35] On 30 August 2024, McDonald’s contract with Bradford City was terminated by mutual consent.[36]

Return to Exeter City

[edit]

On 13 November 2024, McDonald re-signed with Exeter City on a short-term contract until January, having been training with the League One side after his departure from Bradford City.[37]

International career

[edit]

McDonald received his first call up to the senior Scotland team when Gordon Strachan called him up for a match against Germany in August 2014.[38] On 29 September 2015 he was called up again for games against Poland and Gibraltar.[39] McDonald was selected again in March 2018, this time by Alex McLeish, for friendlies with Costa Rica and Hungary.[40] He made his international debut in a 1–0 home defeat against Costa Rica.[41]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 23 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee 2005–06[42] Scottish First Division 26 3 6 0 0 0 1[a] 0 33 3
2006–07[43] Scottish First Division 30 2 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 33 2
2007–08[44] Scottish First Division 34 9 2 1 3 1 0 0 39 11
Total 90 14 9 1 4 1 2 0 105 16
Burnley 2008–09[45] Championship 25 1 2 0 5 2 1[b] 0 33 3
2009–10[46] Premier League 26 1 2 0 2 0 — 30 1
2010–11[47] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 1 — 1 1
Total 51 2 4 0 8 3 1 0 64 5
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2010–11[47] Championship 5 1 — — — 5 1
Notts County (loan) 2010–11[47] EFL League One 11 0 — — — 11 0
Sheffield United 2011–12[48] EFL League One 31 3 3 0 0 0 4[c] 0 38 3
2012–13[49] EFL League One 45 1 3 0 1 0 2[d] 0 51 1
2013–14[50] EFL League One 1 1 — 1 0 — 2 1
Total 77 5 6 0 2 0 6 0 91 5
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2013–14[50] EFL League One 41 5 1 0 — 2[e] 0 44 5
2014–15[51] Championship 46 0 1 0 0 0 — 47 0
2015–16[52] Championship 33 3 1 0 1 0 — 35 3
Total 120 8 3 0 1 0 2 0 126 8
Fulham 2016–17[53] Championship 43 3 3 0 0 0 2[b] 0 48 3
2017–18[54] Championship 42 3 1 0 0 0 3[b] 0 46 3
2018–19[55] Premier League 15 0 0 0 1 0 — 16 0
2019–20[56] Championship 16 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 18 0
2020–21[57] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 116 6 5 0 2 0 5 0 128 6
Dundee United 2021–22[58] Scottish Premiership 9 0 2 0 — — 11 0
Exeter City 2022–23[59] EFL League One 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 3
Bradford City 2023-24[60] EFL League Two 19 0 0 0 0 0 4[f] 0 23 0
Exeter City 2024–25[61] EFL League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 508 39 29 1 17 4 20 0 575 44
  1. ^ a b Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs
  3. ^ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in EFL League One play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in League One play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  6. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

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Burnley

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Fulham

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Fulham" (PDF). English Football League. p. 16. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Kevin McDonald". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Kevin McDonald: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  4. ^ "McDonald prefers Dundee to Celtic". BBC Sport. 8 June 2006.
  5. ^ "Dundee will 'probably' lose McDonald". The Courier. Archived from the original on 1 June 2008.
  6. ^ "Burnley's McDonald offer rejected". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008.
  7. ^ "Burnley step up McDonald pursuit". BBC Sport. 24 June 2008.
  8. ^ "McDonald completes Burnley switch". BBC Sport. 25 June 2008.
  9. ^ "Burnley 3–0 Derby". BBC Sport. 29 November 2008.
  10. ^ "Burnley star Kevin McDonald fined for half-time walkout". BBC Sport. 6 April 2010.
  11. ^ "McDonald heads for Notts County – Clarets Mad". www.clarets-mad.co.uk. Digital Sports Group LTD. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  12. ^ "Scottish midfielder signs". Sheffield United F.C. 13 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Sheffield United V Brentford Team Line Ups confirmed". Sheffield United F.C. 13 August 2011. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Big Mac is back". Sheffield United F.C. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  15. ^ Marshall, Alan (29 July 2012). "Former Dundee star Kevin McDonald signs new deal with Sheffield United". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Kevin McDonald: Wolves sign midfielder from Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 14 August 2013.
  17. ^ "Kevin McDonald signs for Wolves". Express & Star. 14 August 2013.
  18. ^ "Bristol City 1–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013.
  19. ^ "Port Vale 1–3 Wolves". BBC Sport. 31 August 2013.
  20. ^ "Macca at the double". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Kevin McDonald admits his future may be away from Wolves". Sky Sports. 6 July 2015.
  23. ^ "Wolves: Kevin McDonald signs new three-year Molineux deal". BBC Sport. 25 September 2013.
  24. ^ "Kevin McDonald: Fulham sign Wolves midfielder as Fernando Amorebieta leaves". BBC Sport. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  25. ^ "Fulham 2–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  26. ^ a b "Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald to have kidney transplant". BBC Sport. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  27. ^ Cassidy, Peter (5 July 2021). "Footballer Kevin McDonald hails 'hero' brother after transplant". STV Sport. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  28. ^ Rutzler, Peter (28 August 2021). "Kevin McDonald: 'I switched straight from "You've had a kidney transplant", to "The baby's due in a few weeks"…'". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  29. ^ "MCDONALD PUTS PEN TO PAPER ON SHORT-TERM DEAL". Dundee United Football Club. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  30. ^ Curtis, Leigh (5 October 2022). "McDonald shares Derby transfer interest and what happened next". DerbyshireLive. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Kevin McDonald joins Exeter City!". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Kevin McDonald: Exeter City midfielder always confident he would return from kidney transplant". BBC Sport. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Kevin McDonald: Exeter City midfielder hailed for goal days after daughter is born". BBC Sport. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  34. ^ "McDONALD ARRIVES AT CITY". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  35. ^ "BANTAMS PART COMPANY WITH HUGHES". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  36. ^ "McDonald Leaves The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Welcome back, Kevin McDonald!". Exeter City FC. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Gordon Strachan calls up Callum McGregor and Craig Gordon". BBC Sport. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  39. ^ "Scotland: Shinnie & Rhodes called up for Euro 2016 qualifiers". BBC Sport. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  40. ^ "Scott McTominay confirmed in Scotland squad for games against Costa Rica and Hungary". Sky News. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  41. ^ "Scotland 0–1 Costa Rica: Alex McLeish says side won't click overnight". BBC Sport. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  42. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  43. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  44. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  45. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  47. ^ a b c "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  48. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  49. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  51. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  52. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  53. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  54. ^ "Kevin McDonald | Football Stats | Fulham | Age 29 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  55. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  56. ^ "Kevin McDonald | Football Stats | Season 2019/2020 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  57. ^ "Scotland – K. McDonald – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  58. ^ "Kevin McDonald | Football Stats | Dundee United | Season 2021/2022 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  59. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  60. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  61. ^ "Games played by Kevin McDonald in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  62. ^ Fletcher, Paul (25 May 2009). "Burnley 1–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  63. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2014). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 386–387. ISBN 978-1-4722-1251-1.
  64. ^ Cartwright, Phil (26 May 2018). "Aston Villa 0–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  65. ^ Stevens, Rob (4 August 2020). "Brentford 1–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  66. ^ "League One Team of the Season 2013/14". English Football League. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
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