Danny Swanson

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Danny Swanson

| image= Danny Swanson.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Swanson playing for Dundee United in 2011

| alt =

| fullname= Daniel Joseph Swanson {{cite news |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |page=4 |title=Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13 |publisher=The Football League |date=18 May 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2014 }}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|12|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Leith, Scotland

| height = 1.68 m{{Soccerway|danny-swanson/22228}}

| position = Attacking midfielder

| youthyears1 =

| youthyears2 =

| youthyears3 =

| youthclubs1 = Cowdenbeath

| youthclubs2 = Hutchison Vale

| youthclubs3 = Leith Athletic

| years1 = 2005–2008

| years2 = 2008–2012

| years3 = 2012–2014

| years4 = 2014–2015

| years5 = 2015

| years6 = 2015–2016

| years7 = 2016–2017

| years8 = 2017–2018

| years9 = 2018–2020

| years10 = 2020–2022

| years11 = 2024–

| clubs1 = Berwick Rangers

| clubs2 = Dundee United

| clubs3 = Peterborough United

| clubs4 = Coventry City

| clubs5 = → St Johnstone (loan)

| clubs6 = Heart of Midlothian

| clubs7 = St Johnstone

| clubs8 = Hibernian

| clubs9 = St Johnstone

| clubs10 = East Fife

| clubs11 = Cowdenbeath

| caps1 = 27 | goals1 = 12

| caps2 = 108 | goals2 = 14

| caps3 = 62 | goals3 = 9

| caps4 = 15 | goals4 = 2

| caps5 = 11 | goals5 = 2

| caps6 = 8 | goals6 = 0

| caps7 = 44 | goals7 = 11

| caps8 = 31 | goals8 = 3

| caps9 = 30 | goals9 = 2

| caps10 = 25 | goals10 = 0

| caps11 = 4 | goals11 = 0

| club-update = 14 December 2024

}}

Daniel Joseph Swanson (born 28 December 1986) is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for {{Scottish football updater|Cowdenbe}} club Cowdenbeath

Swanson started his career at Scottish Third Division side Berwick Rangers before moving to Scottish Premier League club Dundee United in 2008. He moved to England in 2012 to play for Peterborough United. After two years with Peterborough he signed for Coventry City, but he then moved back to Scotland on loan at St Johnstone. Swanson was released by Coventry in September 2015 and then signed for Heart of Midlothian, where he spent five months before returning to St Johnstone. Swanson then played on Hibernian for a brief period before returning to St Johnstone once again in 2018. In 2020 he joined East Fife on a two-year deal and left in summer of 2022.

Career

=Early career=

Born with a heart defect, Swanson underwent a number of operations as a youngster, including a heart bypass at the age of thirteen.{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/health/Danny-Swanson-The-football-39genius39.3948373.jp|title=Danny Swanson: The football 'genius' missed by Edinburgh clubs|last=Vallely|first=Joanna|date=4 April 2008|publisher=The Scotsman|access-date=15 July 2009}} After overcoming his health problems, Swanson played for Hutchison Vale and Leith Athletic before joining Berwick Rangers, making his debut at the start of the 2005–06 season. Playing the majority of Scottish Third Division matches that season, a knee injury restricted him to just three league appearances the following season when Berwick were promoted to the Scottish Second Division, although he started the 2007–08 season injury-free.

=Dundee United=

Swanson completed a move to the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United on 1 January 2008 after agreeing terms in October 2007, having previously turned down a move to Hamilton Academical.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7018069.stm|title=Levein excited by Swanson switch|publisher=BBC Sport website|date=10 October 2007}} Making his debut the following day as a substitute in the 4–1 win over Hearts, Swanson scored his first goal for United in a 2–0 victory over Motherwell in March 2008, going on to feature in a number of matches that season. In 2008–09, Swanson was used mainly as a substitute, starting in only seven of his 30 league appearances. In the 2009–10 season, Swanson started United's opening three league matches, assisting three of the club's four goals in the process.

His good performances for United meant that Swanson was selected for the Scotland squad in October 2011. Soon afterwards, however, Swanson strained a medial ligament.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15409034.stm|title=Dundee Utd midfielder Danny Swanson suffers knee injury|publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2011|access-date=21 October 2011}} At the end of the 2011–12 season, Swanson's contract expired and he opened talks with Championship side Peterborough United over a possible move to England.{{cite news |title=Swanson could be the man for Posh |url=http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/swanson-could-be-the-man-for-posh-1-3867433 |work=Peterborough Evening Telegraph |date=23 May 2012 |access-date=23 May 2012}}

=Peterborough United=

On 6 June 2012, Swanson signed a two-year contract with English Championship club Peterborough United after making over 100 appearances for Dundee United.{{cite web|title=Swanson 'sold' on Posh move|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11764/7798631/Swanson-sold-on-Posh-move|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 June 2012|access-date=17 February 2015}}

The midfielder made a total of 79 appearances scoring 5 goals before rejecting a new contract offer with Posh at the end of the 2013-2014 season.

Swanson won the EFL Trophy with Peterborough United at Wembley Stadium in 2014.

=Coventry City=

On 3 July 2014, Swanson signed a two-year contract with Coventry City after rejecting a new contract at Peterborough United.{{Cite news |title=Coventry City complete signing of midfielder Danny Swanson |url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/danny-swanson-signing-coventry-city-030714-1714337.aspx |publisher=Coventry City F.C |date=3 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014}}

Swanson signed on loan for St Johnstone for the latter part of the 2014–15 season on 3 February 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31104549 |title=St Johnstone sign Swanson on loan as McDonald departs |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=3 February 2015}} He returned to Coventry City for close season 2015, but had his contract terminated on 1 September 2015 by mutual consent.{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/danny-swanson-leaves-coventry-city-9972737|title=Danny Swanson leaves Coventry City by mutual consent ahead of St Johnstone switch|work=Coventry Telegraph|date=1 September 2015|access-date=2 September 2015}}

=Heart of Midlothian=

Swanson signed for Heart of Midlothian on 9 September 2015, agreeing a contract to the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34202471 |title=Midfielder Danny Swanson joins Hearts until end of season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2015 |access-date=9 September 2015}}

=St Johnstone (second spell)=

After just five months with Hearts, Swanson signed for his former side St Johnstone in February 2016 on an 18-month deal.{{cite web |url=http://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitemsdetail.php?param=4055 |title=Saints secure Danny Swanson return |publisher=St. Johnstone |date=2 February 2016 |access-date=2 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204192931/http://www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk/newsitemsdetail.php?param=4055 |archive-date=4 February 2016 }}

In April 2017, Swanson brought St Johnstone in to disrepute after becoming involved in an on-pitch brawl with teammate Ricky Foster. Both players were suspended by the club{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39467430 |title=St Johnstone: Red card pair Swanson & Foster set for 'severe' punishments |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2017 |access-date=3 April 2017}} and were subsequently fined four weeks' wages.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39528925 |title=St Johnstone: Richard Foster & Danny Swanson fined for on-field bust-up |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 April 2017 |access-date=7 April 2017}}

=Hibernian=

On 25 April 2017, Hibernian announced that they had signed Swanson on a pre-contract agreement.{{cite web|url=http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7503|title=HIBERNIAN SIGN DANNY SWANSON ON PRE-CONTRACT|website=Hibernianfc.co.uk|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=13 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613014956/http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/7503|url-status=dead}} Injuries restricted his appearances for Hibs in the first part of the 2017/18 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42733987 |title=Danny Swanson: St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright open to player's return |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=29 January 2018}} Swanson was linked with a return to St Johnstone in January 2018, but he decided against this.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42866032 |title=St Johnstone: Wright aims to add players but not Swanson |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2018 |access-date=29 January 2018}} His contract with Hibs was cancelled on 31 August 2018.{{cite web |url=http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/9148 |title=DANNY SWANSON DEPARTS HIBERNIAN |publisher=Hibernian FC |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=31 August 2018}}

=St Johnstone (third spell)=

After his release from Hibernian, Swanson resigned for St Johnstone in September 2018, stating that he was "at his happiest" whilst playing for the Perth club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45381532|title=Danny Swanson: St Johnstone sign midfielder for third time after Hibs exit|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 September 2018 |access-date=16 September 2018}} He was released by the club in May 2020.[https://www.google.co.uk/www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/1321097/st-johnstone-release-playmaker-danny-swanson] {{dead link|date=October 2021}}

=East Fife=

On 30 July 2020, Danny Swanson signed for East Fife, on a two-year deal.{{Cite web|url=https://eastfifefc.info/latest-news/830-danny-swanson-agrees-terms-to-join-east-fife|title = Danny Swanson Agrees Terms to Join East Fife|website=Eastfifefc.info}}

=Cowdenbeath=

After 2.5 years without competitive football, on 6 September 2024 Swanson signed with Cowdenbeath in the fifth-tier Lowland Football League.{{cite web|publisher=Cowdenbeath|url=http://www.cowdenbeathfc.com/index.php?act=viewNews&id=3731|title=Signing News|date=6 September 2024|access-date=28 December 2024}}

Career statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other{{ref label\|Other\|A

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup

!colspan="2"|League Cup

!colspan="2"|Other{{ref label|Other|A

}

!colspan="2"|Total

!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

|rowspan="4"|Berwick Rangers

|2005–06

|Scottish Third Division

|27||1||1||0||2||0||4||0||34||1

|2006–07

|Scottish Third Division

|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0

|2007–08Includes one league appearance not recorded on Soccerbase. {{cite web|title=Ayr United 4–0 Berwick Rangers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6960759.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 August 2007|access-date=17 February 2015}}

|Scottish Second Division

|13||3||0||0||2||0||2||1||17||4

!colspan="2"|Total

!43!!4!!1!!0!!4!!0!!6!!1!!54!!5

|rowspan="6"|Dundee United

|2007–08

|Scottish Premier League

|12||2||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||14||2

|2008–09

|Scottish Premier League

|30||0||2||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||34||0

|2009–10

|Scottish Premier League

|31||5||6||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||39||5

|2010–11

|Scottish Premier League

|21||2||2||0||0||0||1||0||24||2

|2011–12

|Scottish Premier League

|14||3||0||0||1||0||1||0||16||3

!colspan="2"|Total

!108!!12!!12!!0!!5!!0!!2!!0!!127!!12

|rowspan="3"|Peterborough United

|2012–13

|Championship

|27||2||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||30||2

|2013–14

|League One

|35||2||3||0||3||1||8||0||49||3

!colspan="2"|Total

!62!!4!!4!!0!!5!!1!!8!!0!!79!!5

|Coventry City

|2014–15

|League One

|15||0||0||0||1||0||2||0||18||0

|St Johnstone (loan)

|2014–15

|Scottish Premiership

|11||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||12||2

|Heart of Midlothian

|2015–16

|Scottish Premiership

|8||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||9||0

|rowspan="3"|St Johnstone

|2015–16

|Scottish Premiership

|14||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||14||1

|2016–17

|Scottish Premiership

|30||10||1||0||6||5||colspan="2"|—||37||15

!colspan="2"|Total

!44!!11!!1!!0!!6!!5!!0!!0!!51!!16

|rowspan="3"|Hibernian

|2017–18

|Scottish Premiership

|17||0||0||0||4||1||colspan="2"|—||21||1

|2018–19Soccerbase did not record an appearance made by Swanson against NSI Runavik on [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44846730 19 July 2018].

|Scottish Premiership

|2||0||0||0||0||0||2||0||4||0

!colspan="2"|Total

!26!!0!!0!!0!!4!!1!!2!!0!!31!!3

|rowspan=3|St Johnstone

|2018–19

|Scottish Premiership

|23||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||25||0

|2019–20

|Scottish Premiership

|7||0||0||0||4||0||colspan=2|—||11||0

!colspan=2|Total

!30!!0!!1!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!36!!0

|East Fife

|2020–21

|Scottish League One

|15||0||2||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||18||0

!colspan="3"|Career total

!355!!33!!22!!0!!32!!7!!20!!1!!429!!41

:A. {{note|Other}} The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the 2006 Scottish Second Division play-offs, Scottish Challenge Cup, UEFA Europa League, Football League Trophy & 2014 Football League play-offs.

Honours

=Club=

;Dundee United

Scottish Cup: 2009–10{{cite web|title=Dundee United 3–0 Ross County|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8682861.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McGuigan|first=Thomas|date=15 May 2010|access-date=17 February 2015}}

;Peterborough United

Football League Trophy: 2013–14{{cite web|url=http://www.wembleystadium.com/Events/2014/Football-League-Trophy/30-March-2014|title=30 March 2014 – Wembley Stadium|website=Wembleystadium.com}}