Keaghan Jacobs

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Keaghan Jacobs

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1989|9|9}}

| birth_place = Johannesburg, South Africa

| height = {{Height|ft=5|in=9}}

| currentclub = Gala Fairydean Rovers

| clubnumber =

| position = Midfielder

| youthyears1 = 2006–2007

| youthclubs1 = Livingston

| years1 = 2007–2015

| clubs1 = Livingston

| caps1 = 171

| goals1 = 22

| years2 = 2015–2016

| clubs2 = Bidvest Wits

| caps2 = 1

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2017–2022

| clubs3 = Livingston

| caps3 = 81

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2022

| clubs4 = → Falkirk (loan)

| caps4 = 12

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2022–2024

| clubs5 = Arbroath

| caps5 = 27

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2024–

| clubs6 = Gala Fairydean Rovers

| caps6 = 19

| goals6 = 2

| pcupdate = 14 December 2024

}}

Keaghan Jacobs (born 9 September 1989) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Scottish club Gala Fairydean Rovers, having previously had two spells at Livingston, a short spell with Bidvest Wits, and a loan to Falkirk before going onto Arbroath for two seasons.

Club career

=Livingston=

A product of Livingston's youth system, Jacobs made a scoring debut for the first-team on 24 November 2007 in a 4–0 home win against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup.{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7107519.stm | title= Livingston 4–0 Alloa Athletic match report | publisher=BBC | date=24 November 2007 | access-date=28 April 2013}} He made his first league appearance on 1 December 2007 in a 2–2 draw against Greenock Morton.{{cite web | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7120215.stm | title= Morton 2–2 Livingston match report | publisher=BBC | date=1 December 2007 | access-date=28 April 2013}} He made 5 more appearances in the 2007–08 season.{{Soccerbase season|47998|2007|access-date=1 May 2013}} The following season, he gained more first-team experience, making 17 appearances largely as a substitute.{{Soccerbase season|47998|2008|access-date=1 May 2013}}

Although born in South Africa, Jacobs was eligible to play for Scotland through residency eligibility rules.{{cite web | url= http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/west-lothian-sport/west-lothian-football/livingston-fc/2009/12/10/keaghan-jacobs-is-in-my-thoughts-for-scots-call-admits-under-21-boss-billy-stark-62405-25356819/| title= Keaghan Jacobs is in my thoughts for Scots call admits under 21 boss Billy Stark | publisher=West Lothian Courier | date=10 December 2009 | access-date=28 April 2013}} He was considered for selection b the Scotland U21 team, but never played for them.

Jacobs remained with Livingston following their financial difficulties and subsequent demotion to the Scottish Third Division. In December 2009, he signed a new contract with the club keeping him at Almondvale until the summer of 2012.{{cite web | url=http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/west-lothian-sport/west-lothian-football/livingston-fc/2009/12/24/livingston-fc-sign-up-promising-youngster-keaghan-jacobs-on-new-deal-62405-25458547/ | title=Livingston FC sign promising youngster Keaghan Jacobs on new deal | publisher=West Lothian Courier | date=24 December 2009 | access-date=1 May 2013}} He played a key role in helping the club win back to back Third and Second division championships on their ascent back to the Scottish First Division. On 19 April 2012, Jacobs signed a new two-year contract with the club.{{cite web | url= http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/news/news_20120419_1.php | title=Star midfielder extends stay | publisher=Livingston F.C. | date=19 April 2012 | access-date=1 May 2013}}

=Bidvest Wits=

On 10 July 2015, Jacobs signed for Premier Soccer League club Bidvest Wits.{{cite web|title=Clever Boys confirm new arrivals|url=http://www.psl.co.za/article.asp?id=3090754|publisher=Premier Soccer League|date=10 July 2015|access-date=14 July 2015}} He left the Clever Boys in July 2016, after just one year with the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2016/07/08/25436552/bidvest-wits-likely-to-part-ways-with-faty-due-to-health |title=Bidvest Wits likely to part ways with Faty due to health issues |first=Edward |last=May |publisher=Goal |date=8 July 2016 |access-date=20 January 2017}}

=Livingston return=

After 17 months away from the club, Jacobs returned to Livingston, then in Scottish League One, signing a deal until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web |url=http://livingstonfc.co.uk/back-future-keaghan-jacobs-returns/ |title=Back to the Future as Keaghan Jacobs returns |publisher=Livingston FC |date=20 January 2017 |access-date=20 January 2017}}

On 3 September 2017, in Livingston's match against The New Saints in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Jacobs made his 220th appearance for the club becoming their record appearance holder passing the previous total set by Liam Fox.{{cite web|title=TNS 1-1 Livingston (6-5 PENS)|url=https://livingstonfc.co.uk/tns-1-1-livingston/|publisher=Livingston F.C.|date=3 September 2017|access-date=6 June 2019}}{{cite web|title=Record breaker Keaghan Jacobs reflects on Livingston career|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/record-breaker-keaghan-jacobs-reflects-11126920.amp|publisher=Daily Record|last=Carson|first=Callum|date=7 September 2017|access-date=6 June 2019}} In April 2018, he signed a new contract with Livingston which also included a testimonial.{{cite web|title=Livingston midfielder Keaghan Jacobs 'honoured' to be handed testimonial|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/livingston-midfielder-keaghan-jacobs-honoured-12350762|publisher=Daily Record|last=Carson|first=Callum|date=12 April 2018|access-date=6 June 2019}} In the 2017–18 Scottish Premiership play-offs Jacobs scored in both legs of the final as Livingston defeated Partick Thistle 3–1 on aggregate to gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership.{{cite web|title=Livingston 2–1 Partick Thistle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44063769|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Dowden|first=Martin|date=17 May 2018|access-date=6 June 2019}}{{cite web|title=Partick Thistle 0–1 Livingston|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44097532|publisher=BBC Sport|last=McLauchlin|first=Brian|date=20 May 2018|access-date=6 June 2019}}

On 6 October 2018, Jacobs scored an equalising goal for Livingston in a draw against Motherwell and in doing so became the first player to score in all four divisions of Scottish football for Livingston.{{cite web|title=Motherwell 1–1 Livingston|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45688825|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 October 2018|access-date=6 June 2019}} On 22 March 2019, he signed a new three-year contract at Livingston.{{cite web|title=Livingston: Keaghan Jacobs and Scott Pittman sign new deals|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47675311|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 March 2019|access-date=6 June 2019}}

On 13 October 2019, Jacobs was rewarded for his time at Livingston with a testimonial match as the club's current side faced a team of Livingston 'legends', including his three brothers.{{cite web|title=Legends return to honour Livingston hero Keaghan Jacobs in testimonial match|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/legends-return-honour-livingston-hero-20594803|publisher=Daily Record|last=Carson|first=Callum|date=16 October 2019|access-date=26 October 2019}}

=Falkirk (loan)=

On 29 January 2022, Jacobs joined Scottish League One side Falkirk on loan until the end of the season.{{Cite web|title=KEAGHAN JACOBS JOINS THE BAIRNS|url=https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2022/01/29/keaghan-jacobs-joins-the-bairns/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Falkirk Football Club|date=29 January 2022 |language=en-US}}

=Arbroath=

On 25 May 2022, following the end of his contract at Livingston Jacobs joined Scottish Championship side Arbroath{{Cite web |date=2022-05-25 |title=Keaghan Jacobs |url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/keaghan-jacobs/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Arbroath FC |language=en-GB}}

=Gala Fairydean Rovers=

Jacobs signed a pre-contract agreement with Gala Fairydean Rovers in May 2024.{{Cite web |date=10 May 2024|title=Former Livingston and Arbroath midfielder Keaghan Jacobs signs for Gala Fairydean Rovers|url=https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/football/former-livingston-and-arbroath-midfielder-keaghan-jacobs-signs-for-gala-fairydean-rovers-4623770|publisher=The Southern Reporter}}

Personal life

Jacobs was also a decent cricketer, having played for West Lothian County Cricket Club and Fauldhouse Cricket Club; he also represented Scotland at under-13 and under-15 levels before deciding to make a career in football.{{cite web | url= http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/west-lothian-sport/west-lothian-football/livingston-fc/2009/10/22/jacobs-wants-a-shot-at-scotland-dream-62405-24984950/ | title= Jacobs wants a shot at Scotland dream | publisher=West Lothian Courier | date=22 October 2009 | access-date=28 April 2013}}

He has a set of triplet brothers, Devon,[https://uk.soccerway.com/players/devon-jacobs/122996/ D. Jacobs], Soccerway Sheldon[https://uk.soccerway.com/players/sheldon-jacobs/123450/ S. Jacobs], Soccerway and Kyle who all played for Livingston. On 27 April 2010, all four brothers played together in a Scottish Third Division match against Albion Rovers. This is believed to be the only occasion in professional football where four brothers have been on the field, playing for the same team.{{cite web | url= http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/news/news_20100429_1.php | title= Jacobs quartet make history | publisher=Livingston FC | date=28 April 2010 | access-date=28 April 2013}}

Career statistics

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2"\| Club ! rowspan="2"\| Season ! colspan="3"\| League ! colspan="2"\| National Cup ! colspan="2"\| League Cup ! colspan="2"\| Other ! colspan="2"\| Total
rowspan="9"\|Livingston \|2007–08{{cite web\|title=Livingston 2–0 Cowdenbeath F.C.\|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup-matches/?mid=73253\|publisher=Scottish Football Association\|date=15 January 2008\|access-date=6 June 2019}} \|rowspan="2"\|Scottish First Division \|6	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	8	1
2008–09{{cite web\|title=Leigh rises to the challenge of Blues\|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/leigh-rises-challenge-blues-2632593\|publisher=Daily Record\|date=31 July 2008\|access-date=6 June 2019}} \|14	0	1	0	1	0	2Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup	0	18	0
2009–10{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2009\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|Scottish Third DivisionLivingston were demoted to the Third Division after entering administration \|34	6	3	1	1	0	1	0	39	7
2010–11{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2010\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|Scottish Second Division \|27	4	0	0	1	0	1	0	29	4
2011–12{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2011\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|rowspan="2"\|Scottish First Division \|31	4	2	0	2	1	3	0	38	5
2012–13{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2012\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|11	3	1	0	1	0	1	0	14	3
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2013\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|rowspan="2"\|Scottish Championship \|32	4	1	0	1	0	0	0	34	4
2014–15{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2014\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|32	1	1	1	2	0	4	0	39	2
colspan="2"\|Total !187	22	11	3	9	1	12	0	219	26
Bidvest Wits \|2015–16{{soccerway\|keaghan-jacobs/38563\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|South African Premier Division \|1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
rowspan="7"\|Livingston \|2016–17{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2016\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|Scottish League One \|4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2017\|accessdate=11 November 2017}} \|Scottish Championship \|20	0	1	0	6	1	5One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup; Four appearances and two goals in the Scottish Premiership play-offs	2	32	3
2018–19{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2018\|accessdate=6 June 2019}} \|rowspan=4\|Scottish Premiership \|31	1	1	0	1	0	1Appearance as an over-age player for Livingston under-21s in the Scottish Challenge Cup in which age-restricted teams from the Scottish Premiership clubs compete against senior clubs	0	34	1
2019–20{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2019\|accessdate=14 July 2019}} \|24	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	29	0
2020–21{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2020\|accessdate=18 February 2021}} \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2021–22{{soccerbase season\|47998\|2021\|access-date=2 August 2021}} \|0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !79	1	3	0	12	1	6	2	100	4
Falkirk (loan) \|2021–22 \|Scottish League One \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0
colspan="3"\|Career total !267	23	14	3	21	2	18	2	320	30

Honours

Livingston

Scottish Third Division: 2009–10
Scottish Second Division: 2010–11
Scottish Challenge Cup: 2014–15{{cite web|title=Livingston 4–0 Alloa|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32088242|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=5 April 2015|access-date=14 July 2015}}

Individual

Scottish Football League Young Player of the Month: November 2009{{cite web|title=IRN-BRU PHENOMENAL AWARDS – NOVEMBER, 2009|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/the-irn-bru-phenomenal-award-winner-2009-12-08|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=8 December 2009|access-date=25 July 2019}}