Paul McKay (footballer, born 1996)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Paul McKay

| image =

| image_size =

| caption = McKay with Leeds United in 2016

| fullname = Paul McKay{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Cardiff City |publisher=English Football League |page=12 |accessdate=17 June 2018}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|11|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland{{cite news|title=Sky Sports Scout reports on young defender Paul McKay|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9553986/sky-sports-scout-reports-on-young-forward-jack-mckay|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 November 2014|accessdate=7 November 2015}}

| death_date =

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}{{Cite book |last=Barnes |first=Stuart |title=Nationwide football annual : 2016–2017 |publisher=SportsBooks Limited |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-907524-52-3 |pages=479 |oclc=950638023}}

| position = Centre back

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 2006–2014

| youthclubs1 = Doncaster Rovers

| years1 = 2014–2016

| clubs1 = Doncaster Rovers

| caps1 = 1

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2015

| clubs2 = → Ilkeston FC (loan)

| caps2 = 5

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2015

| clubs3 = → Gainsborough Trinity (loan)

| caps3 = 10

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 2016–2017

| clubs4 = Leeds United

| caps4 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2018–2019

| clubs5 = Cardiff City

| caps5 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2019

| clubs6 = → Morecambe (loan)

| caps6 = 7

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2019–2021

| clubs7 = Airdrieonians

| caps7 = 50

| goals7 = 4

| years8 = 2021–2024

| clubs8 = Queen of the South

| caps8 = 72

| goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2024

| clubs9 = Clyde

| caps9 = 15

| goals9 = 0

| club-update = 21 December 2024

}}

Paul McKay (born 19 November 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre back for {{Scottish football updater|Clyde}} club Clyde but now a free agent. McKay has previously played for Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United, Cardiff City, Airdrieonians, Queen of the South and Clyde. McKay has also had loan spells with Ilkeston, Gainsborough Trinity and

Morecambe.

McKay was born in Glasgow and played youth football with the Doncaster Rovers Academy as well as studying at Hill House School, before starting his professional career with the club.{{cite news|title=Donny Bag Dynamic Duo|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/jack-mckay-liam-mandeville-doncaster-rovers-2096374.aspx|publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.|date=21 November 2014|accessdate=7 February 2015}}

Club career

=Doncaster Rovers=

On 1 September 2015, McKay made his professional debut for Doncaster Rovers in a first round win in the Football League Trophy versus Burton Albion. McKay started the match that the club won 5–3 on penalties after a goalless draw.{{cite news|title=Doncaster Rovers F.C. Player Profiles|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/jack-mckay/36|publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.|accessdate=7 February 2015}}{{cite news|title=Doncaster Vs Burton Albion|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/doncaster-vs-burton-alb/teams/350837|publisher=Sky Sports|date=1 September 2015|accessdate=1 September 2015}}

==Ilkeston FC (loan)==

In October 2015, McKay and his twin brother Jack went out on loan to Ilkeston to gain first-team experience.{{cite news|title=Loan Signing: Paul McKay|url=http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/loan-signing-paul-mckay|publisher=Ilkeston F.C.|date=8 October 2015|accessdate=8 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918122900/http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/loan-signing-paul-mckay#|archive-date=18 September 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

=Leeds United=

On 11 January 2016, McKay and his brother Jack both signed for Leeds United for undisclosed fees on two-and-a-half-year contracts under then head coach Steve Evans.{{cite news|title=UNITED COMPLETE DEAL FOR MCKAY BROTHERS|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/1qxvlhocr6uir1x1hcu03ljwqf/title/united-complete-deal-for-mckay-brothers|publisher=Leeds United|date=11 January 2016|accessdate=11 January 2016}}The Guardian, 17 February 2019 [https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/feb/17/everythings-a-little-too-cosy-in-footballs-game-of-family-fortunes everything a little too cosy in footballs game of family fortunes]

During the pre-season of the 2016-17, McKay was involved in the first-team squad, playing regularly in pre-season due to the departure of centre-back Giuseppe Bellusci and the injury to Liam Cooper.{{cite news|title=SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR IRISH TRIP|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/1e353i4j3kcl310o7lbyqelvrs/title/squad-confirmed-for-irish-trip|publisher=Leeds United|date=4 July 2016|accessdate=4 July 2016}}{{cite news|title=WOOD + ROOFE STRIKES SEE OFF ATALANTA|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/eks30ljtcm9w1ffn5b8llzbxn/title/wood-%2B-roofe-strikes-see-off-atalanta|publisher=Leeds United|date=30 July 2016|accessdate=30 July 2016}}

On 29 January 2017, McKay made his Leeds debut versus Sutton United in the FA Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38709037 |title=MATCHDAY: Sutton United Vs Leeds LIVE|publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2017 |accessdate=29 January 2017 }}

On 17 December 2017, McKay and his brother Jack ended their contracts by mutual consent.

=Cardiff City=

On 22 January 2018, McKay signed for Cardiff City on a two-and-a-half-year contract after an extended trial with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/u23--four-new-bluebirds/|title=Four new signings link up with the Bluebirds!|publisher=Cardiff City FC|date=22 January 2018}}{{cite news|publisher=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=18 December 2017|accessdate=26 December 2017|title=Leeds United: Whites twins link up with former boss Warnock at Cardiff City|author=Phil Hay|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-whites-twins-link-up-with-former-boss-warnock-at-cardiff-city-1-8916801}}

In January 2019, McKay was loaned out to League Two club Morecambe for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46759234 |title=Paul McKay: Cardiff City defender joins Morecambe on loan for rest of season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2019 |accessdate=4 January 2019}}

=Airdrieonians=

In July 2019, McKay signed for Scottish League One club Airdrieonians.{{cite web |url=https://www.airdriefc.com/1920news/190719/Diamonds-land-defender-McKay |title=Diamonds land defender McKay |publisher=Airdrieonians FC |date=19 July 2019 |accessdate=22 July 2019}} where he primarily played as a midfielder until his departure on 31 May 2021.

=Queen of the South=

On 9 June 2021, McKay signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Queen of the South.{{Cite web|url=http://qosfc.com/news-5427|title = QosFC: Welcome Paul McKay}}

On 23 February 2022, McKay extended his deal to remain at the Doonhamers for another two seasons until the summer of 2024.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qosfc.com/news-5690|title = QosFC: New Deal for Paul}}

On 27 August 2022, McKay was sent-off for violent conduct in the 84th minute, in a 3–1 defeat away to Falkirk in Scottish League One.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62614586 | title=Falkirk v Queen of the South | work=BBC Sport }}

=Jersey Bulls=

On 6 February 2025 McKay signed for Combined Counties League Premier Division South Club Jersey Bulls.

Personal life

McKay's father Willie McKay and his older brother Mark are both football agents.{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-football-agent-mark-mckay-15724665 |title=Who is football agent Mark McKay, his relationship with Emiliano Sala, Cardiff City and his academy twin brothers? |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Booth |first=Dominic |date=24 January 2019 |accessdate=25 January 2019}} His twin brother, Jack McKay is also a professional footballer.{{cite news|title=Paul McKay Signs Pro Contract|url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/paul-mckay-signs-pro-contract-1838153.aspx|publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.|date=18 August 2014|accessdate=7 February 2015}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Doncaster Rovers \|2014–15 \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
\|2015–16 \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Gainsborough Trinity (loan) \|2015–16 \|National League North \|10	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	1
rowspan="3"\|Leeds United \|2016–17 \|Championship \|0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2017–18 \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
rowspan="3"\|Cardiff City \|2017–18 \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2018–19 \|Premier League \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Morecambe (loan) \|2018–19 \|League Two \|7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
rowspan="3"\|Airdrieonians \|2019–20 \|Scottish League One \|26	4	2	0	0	0	3	0	31	4
2020-21 \|Scottish League One \|24	0	1	0	4	1	3	0	32	1
colspan="2"\|Total !50	4	3	0	4	1	6	0	63	5
rowspan="4"\|Queen of the South \|2021-22 \|Scottish Championship \|16	0	2	0	1	0	3	0	22	0
2022-23 \|Scottish League One \|26	1	1	0	3	0	2	0	32	1
2023-24 \|Scottish League One \|5	0	0	0	4	1	1	0	10	1
colspan="2"\|Total !47	1	3	0	8	1	6	0	64	2
colspan="3"\|Career total !114	6	7	0	12	2	13	0	146	8