Kian Leavy
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 2002)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kian Leavy
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|3|21|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Ardee, Republic of Ireland
| height =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = St Patrick's Athletic
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Drogheda Town
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Drogheda Boys
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Shelbourne
| youthyears4 =
| youthclubs4 = St Francis
| youthyears5 =
| youthclubs5 = St Kevin's Boys
| youthyears6 = {{0|0000}}–2018
| youthclubs6 = St Patrick's Athletic
| youthyears7 = 2018–2021
| youthclubs7 = Reading
| years1 = 2021–2023
| clubs1 = Reading
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2023
| clubs2 = → Shelbourne (loan)
| caps2 = 11
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2023–
| clubs3 = St Patrick's Athletic
| caps3 = 47
| goals3 = 1
|nationalyears1 = 2017 |nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U15
|nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0
|nationalyears2 = |nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U18
|nationalcaps2 = |nationalgoals2 =
|nationalyears3 = 2022 |nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U20
|nationalcaps3 = 1 |nationalgoals3 = 0
|nationalyears4 = 2023 |nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland U21
|nationalcaps4 = 2 |nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 23:52, 25 April 2025 (UTC)
|ntupdate = 01:18, 16 October 2024 (UTC)
}}
Kian Leavy (born 21 March 2002) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic.
Career
=Early career=
A native of Ardee, County Louth,{{Cite web|url=https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/ardee-man-leavy-called-up-to-ireland-u21-squad/|title=Ardee man Leavy called up to Ireland U21 squad|website=LMFM}} Leavy began playing with Drogheda Town at under-8s level, before moving on to Drogheda Boys, Shelbourne, St Francis, St Kevin's Boys and St Patrick's Athletic.{{Cite web|url=https://readingfc.co.uk/|title=Home of the Royals!|first=Reading|last=FC|website=Reading FC}} In July 2018, he joined the youth academy of EFL Championship side Reading in July 2018 from St Patrick's Athletic's academy after receiving interest from the youth academies of Manchester United and Celtic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/delight-as-kian-leavy-pens-three-year-reading-deal-37072694.html|title=Delight as Kian Leavy pens three-year Reading deal|publisher=independent.ie}}
=Reading=
On 2 July 2021, Leavy signed his first professional contract with Reading, until the summer of 2022.{{cite web |title=SEVEN SIGN ON WITH NEW DEALS |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/Seven-sign-on-with-new-deals/ |website=readingfc.co.uk/ |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=11 August 2021 |date=2 July 2021}} On 10 August 2021, Leavy made his debut for Reading in their 3–0 defeat to Swansea City in the EFL Cup.{{Soccerway|564798}} On 9 August 2022, he was in the starting XI in a 2–1 loss to Stevenage in the EFL Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62388053|title=Late Stevenage goal seals deserved win at Reading|via=www.bbc.com}} On 17 May 2023, it was announced that Leavy would leave Reading in the summer of 2023, upon the expiry of his contract.
==Shelbourne loan==
On 8 February 2023, Leavy joined Shelbourne on loan until the summer transfer window.{{cite web |title=KIAN LEAVY JOINS SHELBOURNE ON LOAN |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/08/kian-leavy-joins-shelbourne-on-loan/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=9 February 2023 |date=8 February 2023}} He scored the first senior goal of his career on 3 March 2023, coming off the bench in the 60th minute before scoring the only goal of the game in the 78th minute of a win over Bohemians at Tolka Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/sub-kian-leavy-leaves-it-late-but-damien-duffs-shelbourne-triumph-over-bohemians-in-tense-derby/42369433.html|title=Sub Kian Leavy leaves it late but Damien Duff’s Shelbourne triumph over Bohemians in tense derby|date=3 March 2023|website=Independent.ie}} On 6 July 2023, Shelbourne announced that Leavy had left the club at the end of his loan spell after rejecting a contract offer from the club for a permanent move.{{Cite web|url=https://shelbournefc.ie/kian-leavy-departs/|title=Kian Leavy departs|date=6 July 2023}}
=St Patrick's Athletic=
==2023 season==
On 6 July 2023, it was announced that Leavy had signed for St Patrick's Athletic, returning to the club where he previously played at youth level.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/31154/kian-leavy-and-alex-nolan-sign-for-the-saints/|title=Kian Leavy and Alex Nolan sign for the Saints|first=Luke|last=Jordan|website=extratime.com}} Injured upon signing, he had to wait until 11 August 2023 to make his debut, when he was in the starting XI for a 0–0 draw with Bohemians at Richmond Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/stalemate-in-breathless-dublin-derby-as-bohemians-and-st-pats-share-the-points-in-inchicore/a1737784842.html|title=Stalemate in breathless Dublin derby as Bohemians and St Pat’s share the points in Inchicore|date=11 August 2023|website=Independent.ie}} On 23 October 2023, he scored his first senior goal for the club, finding the top left corner from 25 yards in a 1–0 win at home to Sligo Rovers to help his side secure UEFA Conference League football for the following season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/st-pats-sligo-report-3-6205086-Oct2023/|title=Youngster Leavy stars as St Pat's secure European football for next season|first=Paul|last=Buttner|date=23 October 2023|website=The 42}} On 12 November 2023, Leavy was part of the starting XI in the 2023 FAI Cup Final, in a 3–1 win over Bohemians in front of a record breaking FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881 at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1112/1416080-fai-cup-final-bohemians-v-st-pats-updates/|title=FAI Cup final recap: Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's|first=James|last=Fenton|date=12 November 2023|via=www.rte.ie}}
==2024 season==
On 8 February 2024, Leavy signed a multi-year contract extension with the club, switching from the squad number 17 squad to number 10 also.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9545|title=Kian Leavy Extends Contract|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} On 25 July 2024, he made his first European appearance of his career, replacing Zachary Elbouzedi from the bench in a 3–1 win over Vaduz of Liechtenstein in the UEFA Conference League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/st-pats-return-to-form-with-impressive-european-win-over-fc-vaduz/a1611014131.html|title=St Pat’s return to form with impressive European win over FC Vaduz|date=25 July 2024|website=Irish Independent}} On 8 October 2024, Leavy scored the winning goal of the game in a 2–1 victory over St Mochta's in the final of the 2023–24 Leinster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/34854/st-patricks-athletic-crowned-leinster-senior-cup-winners/|title=St Patrick’s Athletic crowned Leinster Senior Cup winners|first=Extratime|last=Team|website=extratime.com}}
==2025 season==
Leavy scored his first goal of the 2025 season on 21 January 2025 in a 2–1 win over Bray Wanderers at Richmond Park, dribbling past 4 players before finding the bottom right corner.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9728|title=Result: Saints 2 - Bray 1|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} He suffered an ankle ligament injury in pre-season training, undergoing surgery on 12 February 2025, with the recovery period due to keep him out of action for 2 months.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9744|title=Kian Leavy Injury Update|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}
Style of Play
Leavy can play across the Attacking midfield line, centrally, or on the wings and is known for his excellent dribbling ability and fitness levels. In April 2025, Leavy's manager at St Patrick's Athletic and former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny speaking about Leavy stated "He's remarkable. I said to the players, I learn from him every day. He's a very versatile player, he can play on both wings, in central areas, he's invaluable to us. His work ethic is very high and he's got a high skill level. His levels of professionalism are really up levels, and he's the fittest player we have, he wins all the tests."https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/stephen-kenny-backs-exceptional-returning-35008131
International career
Leavy has featured at youth level for the Republic of Ireland at U15 and U18 level. In March 2022, he featured for the Republic of Ireland U20 side in a 1–0 win against the Republic of Ireland Amateur team in a friendly at Whitehall Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-ireland-u20s-0-1-ireland-amateurs|title=REPORT | Ireland U20s 0-1 Ireland Amateurs | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} Leavy made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21 team in a 2–1 friendly win over Iceland U21 at Turners Cross on 26 March 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55502/2023/999948672?tab=report|title=Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Iceland | 2023 - Under-21 Mens Friendlies | 999948672 | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 25 April 2025}}
| 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"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Reading
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|143839|2021|accessdate=20 June 2022}} |rowspan="2"|EFL Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|143839|2022|accessdate=20 June 2022}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 0 | |||
| Shelbourne (loan)
|2023{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/-/564798/|title=Republic of Ireland - K. Leavy - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}} |11 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0{{efn|Appearance(s) in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|St Patrick's Athletic
|2023 |rowspan="3"|LOI Premier Division |9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 12 | 1 | |||
| 2024
|33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Conference League|name=statsConf}} | 0 | 3{{efn|1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup & 2 appearances, 1 goal in the Leinster Senior Cup}} | 1 | 43 | 1 | ||
| 2025
|5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|name=statsConf}} | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsLSC}} | 1 | 7 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!47 | 1 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 6 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 62 | 3 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!58 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 75 | 4 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
;St Patrick's Athletic
- FAI Cup (1): 2023
- Leinster Senior Cup (1): 2023–24
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|564798}}
- {{WorldFootball.net|kian-leavy}}
{{St Patrick's Athletic F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leavy, Kian}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:St. Kevin's Boys F.C. players
Category:Shelbourne F.C. players
Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers