Nicky Devlin
{{short description|Scottish footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Distinguish|Nicholas Devlin}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nicky Devlin
| image =
| caption =
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bishopbriggs, Scotland
| height =
| position = Right-back
| currentclub = Aberdeen
| clubnumber = 2
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = West Park United
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Hamilton Academical
| years1 = 2009–2011
| clubs1 = Dumbarton
| caps1 = 23
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2013
| clubs2 = Motherwell
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012
| clubs3 = → Stenhousemuir (loan)
| caps3 = 6
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2012–2013
| clubs4 = → Dumbarton (loan)
| caps4 = 16
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2013
| clubs5 = → Stenhousemuir (loan)
| caps5 = 8
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = Stenhousemuir
| caps6 = 30
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014–2017
| clubs7 = Ayr United
| caps7 = 104
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2017–2019
| clubs8 = Walsall
| caps8 = 76
| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2019–2023
| clubs9 = Livingston
| caps9 = 122
| goals9 = 6
| years10 = 2023–
| clubs10 = Aberdeen
| caps10 = 68
| goals10 = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2024–
| nationalteam2 = Scotland
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 11 June 2025
| nationalteam-update = 21:57, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
}}
Nicky Devlin (born 17 October 1993) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for {{Scottish football updater|Aberdeen}} club Aberdeen and the Scotland national team.
He has previously played for Dumbarton, Motherwell, Stenhousemuir, Ayr United, Walsall and Livingston.
Devlin made his Scotland debut in 2024.
Career
=Motherwell=
Devlin signed for Dumbarton in the summer of 2009, and broke into the first team during the 2010–11 season. Devlin signed a pre-contract agreement with SPL side Motherwell in March 2011. As part of the deal, Jordan Halsman's loan deal at Dumbarton was extended until the end of the season,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dumbarton/9412723.stm |title=Motherwell agree deal for Dumbarton's Nicky Devlin |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2011 |access-date=19 August 2012}} and Motherwell played a pre-season friendly against Dumbarton. Devlin officially joined Motherwell on 1 July 2011. Devlin was injured for most of the 2011–12 season, but came back at the start of 2012 and turned in some excellent performances for the Motherwell under-19 team. On 29 March 2012, Devlin joined Stenhousemuir on loan until the end of the season where he was awarded the Young Player of the Month award for April, his first full month at the club.{{cite news |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2012/03/29/nicky-devlin-to-join-stenny/ |title=Nicky Devlin to join Stenny |publisher=Motherwell F.C |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012}}
On 17 August 2012, Devlin re-joined Dumbarton on loan until January 2013,{{cite news |url=http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4100 |title=Nicky returns to the rock |publisher=Dumbarton F.C. |date=17 August 2012 |access-date=17 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102123553/http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4100 |archive-date=2 January 2013 }} which was subsequently extended for a further twenty-eight days.{{cite news |url=http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4279 |title=Nicky Extends Stay |publisher=Dumbarton F.C. |date=3 January 2013 |access-date=3 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128091645/http://www.dumbartonfootballclub.com/news/?mode=view&id=4279 |archive-date=28 January 2013 }} On 15 March 2013, Devlin was again farmed out on loan, re-joining Stenhousemuir till the end of the season.{{cite news |title=Devlin goes on loan to Stenhousemuir |url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/devlin-goes-on-loan-to-stenhousemuir/ |publisher=Scottish Football League |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411192136/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/news/article/devlin-goes-on-loan-to-stenhousemuir/ |archive-date=11 April 2013 }} On 20 May 2013, after not making a single first-team appearance for Motherwell, Devlin was released by the club.{{cite news |title=Forthcoming squad changes |url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2013/05/20/forthcoming-squad-changes/ |publisher=Motherwell FC |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=20 May 2013}}
=Stenhousemuir=
Upon being released by Motherwell, he was quickly signed on a permanent contract by Stenhousemuir, who he had two previous loan spells with, for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |title=Stenhousemuir take first steps toward new season |url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/football/stenhousemuir-take-first-steps-toward-new-season-1-2972106 |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |work=The Falkirk Herald |date=21 June 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014}} At the end of the season, he was one of a number of players released by the club.{{cite web |title=Club announcement on signed and released players |url=http://www.stenhousemuirfc.com/news/2014/05/12/1063/ |publisher=Stenhousemuir FC |last=McMenemy |first=Iain |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014}}
=Ayr United=
In July 2014, Devlin signed for Ayr United.{{cite web |title=New signings |url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/new-signings-2/ |publisher=Ayr United F.C. |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=26 July 2014}} He was made club captain on 19 May 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/nicky-signs-as-club-captain/ |title=Nicky signs as Club Captain |publisher=Ayr United F.C. |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=11 May 2017}} However, after the club's relegation from the Scottish Championship, Devlin announced he would be leaving Ayr in May 2017 at the end of his contract.{{cite web |url=https://planetradio.co.uk/west/local/news/nicky-devlin-leave-ayr-united/ |title=Nicky Devlin to leave Ayr United |work=Planet Radio |publisher=Bauer Radio Limited |date=11 May 2017 |access-date=11 May 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk/nicky-devlin/ |title=Nicky Devlin |publisher=Ayr United F.C.|date=12 May 2017 |access-date=12 May 2017}}
=Walsall=
Devlin signed for League One club Walsall in June 2017 on a two-year contract.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40409515 |title=Nicky Devlin: Walsall sign Scottish right-back following Ayr United exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 June 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}} He was offered a new contract by Walsall at the end of the 2018–19 season, however he opted to move back to Scotland.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48313315|title=Walsall: New Saddlers boss releases 11 players following relegation to League Two|date=17 May 2019|access-date=20 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=Livingston=
In June 2019, Devlin signed for Scottish Premiership side Livingston.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48569408|title=Nicky Devlin: Livingston sign right-back after he rejects new Walsall deal|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2019-06-14}} Devlin played four seasons at Livingston, the latter two as team captain.
=Aberdeen=
Devlin confirmed on 22 May 2023 that he had agreed a deal to join fellow Premiership side Aberdeen.{{Cite news |title=Devlin confirms move from Livingston to Aberdeen |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65668932 |access-date=2023-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/5797984/aberdeen-confirm-signing-of-livingston-defender-nicky-devlin-on-two-year-deal/|title=Aberdeen confirm signing of Livingston defender Nicky Devlin on two-year deal|website=press and journal|access-date=2023-06-01}}
Devlin won Premiership Player of the Month for October 2024, after the club went on an unbeaten run.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afc.co.uk/2024/11/08/nicky-devlin-named-william-hill-premiership-player-of-the-month/|title=Aberdeen FC - Nicky Devlin named William Hill Premiership Player of the Month|date=8 November 2024|website=Aberdeen FC|access-date=25 November 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/aberdeen-fc/6624013/aberdeen-boss-jimmy-thelin-named-scottish-premiership-manager-of-the-month/|title=Double joy for Aberdeen as Jimmy Thelin and Nicky Devlin land monthly awards|first=Sean|last=Wallace|date=8 November 2024|work=The Press and Journal|access-date=25 November 2024}}
International career
On 1 October 2024, he was called-up by Scotland for the first time for UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Portugal.{{Cite web |title=Steve Clarke names squad for Croatia and Portugal double header in the UEFA Nations League |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/steve-clarke-names-squad-for-croatia-and-portugal-double-header-in-the-uefa-nations-league/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=scottishfa.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.co.uk/2024/10/01/nicky-devlin-called-up-to-the-scotland-squad/|title=NICKY DEVLIN CALLED UP TO THE SCOTLAND SQUAD|website=AFC|date=1 October 2024|accessdate=8 October 2024}} He made his debut as a substitute against Portugal at Hampden, making a crucial block late on in the game to deny Rafael Leão.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nicky-devlin-scotland-debut-momento-33907327|title=Nicky Devlin delighted at special Scotland shirt presentation from Steve Clarke|first=Fraser|last=Wilson|date=17 October 2024|website=Daily Record}}
Coaching career
In June 2020, Devlin agreed to join the under-20 coaching staff of West of Scotland Football League side Rossvale.{{cite tweet|user=RossvaleFCU20s|author=Unofficial - Lowland Development Football|number=1277300773517393921|title=We are pleased to announce that Professional football player with @LiviFCOfficial, Nicky Devlin @NickyDevlin6 has agreed to join our coaching staff at Rossvale Under 20s. Full details on our Facebook page
@RossvaleJFC
@RossvaleFCWomen
@Rossvaleno1
@RossvaleGirlsFC}} David Gormley also brought him in to assist in first-team training sessions.
Career statistics
{{updated|matches played 3 December 2024}}
| 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{{efn|Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Dumbarton
|2010–11{{soccerbase season|54392|2010|access-date=19 September 2017}}{{soccerway|nicky-devlin/161562|accessdate=27 July 2019}} |23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 24 | 0 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Motherwell
|rowspan="2"|Scottish Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2012–13
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Stenhousemuir (loan)
|2011–12{{soccerbase season |54392|2011|access-date=19 September 2017}} |Scottish Second Division |6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 6 | 0 | |||
| Dumbarton (loan)
|2012–13{{soccerbase season |54392|2012|access-date=19 September 2017}} |16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 18 | 0 | |||
| Stenhousemuir (loan)
|Scottish Second Division |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 0 | |||
| Stenhousemuir
|2013–14{{soccerbase season |54392|2013|access-date=19 September 2017}} |30 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3{{efn|name=SCC|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Ayr United
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|54392|2014|access-date=19 September 2017}} |rowspan="2"|Scottish League One |36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1{{efn|name=SCC}} | 0 | 41 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|54392|2015|access-date=19 September 2017}}
|34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 6{{efn|Two appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup, four in Scottish League One play-offs}} | 2 | 42 | 3 | ||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|54392|2016|access-date=19 September 2017}}
|34 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 3{{efn|name=SCC}} | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!104 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 131 | 5 | |
| rowspan="3"|Walsall
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|54392|2017|access-date=6 May 2018}} |rowspan="2"|League One |33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|name=EFL|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 36 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|54392|2018|access-date=12 August 2018}}
|43 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|name=EFL}} | 0 | 49 | 3 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!76 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 3 | |
| rowspan="5"|Livingston
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|54392|2019|access-date=27 July 2019}} |rowspan="4"|Scottish Premiership |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 16 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|54392|2020|access-date=2 August 2020}}
|36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 46 | 2 | |||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|54392|2021|access-date=2 August 2021}}
|37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 41 | 2 | |||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|54392|2022|access-date=8 October 2024}}
|38 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 45 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!122 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 148 | 7 | |
| rowspan="3"|Aberdeen
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|54392|2023|access-date=8 October 2024}} |rowspan="2"|Scottish Premiership |37 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 8{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, six appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 53 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|54392|2024|access-date=8 October 2024}}
|15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 22 | 5 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!44 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 9 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!438 | 17 | 29 | 2 | 44 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 2 | 534 | 24 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway|nicky-devlin/161562}}
{{Aberdeen F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{2015–16 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year}}
{{2016–17 PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devlin, Nicky}}
Category:Sportspeople from Bishopbriggs
Category:Footballers from East Dunbartonshire
Category:Footballers from Glasgow
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Dumbarton F.C. players
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Stenhousemuir F.C. players
Category:Ayr United F.C. players
Category:Livingston F.C. players
Category:Aberdeen F.C. players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers
Category:Scotland men's international footballers