Sam Curtis

A native of Navan, County Meath, Curtis began playing with his local side Parkvilla, before moving to top Dublin youth side, St Kevin's Boys before moving to the academy of League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers. In June 2019, he captained the Dublin District Schoolboys League representative team to winning the prestigious Kennedy Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo.ie/local-boys-help-keep-ddsl-top/|title=Local boys help keep DDSL top|date=20 June 2019}} While at Rovers, he made his debut in senior football for the club's reserve team Shamrock Rovers II in Ireland's second tier, the League of Ireland First Division.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/sam-curtis/653826/|title=Republic of Ireland - S. Curtis - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}} His debut came on 17 October 2020 in a 3–1 win over Athlone Town at age 14, making him the youngest player in League of Ireland history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/sam-curtis-14-year-old-5236516-Oct2020/|title=Fourteen-year-old Sam Curtis makes senior debut for Shamrock Rovers|first=Garry|last=Doyle|date=17 October 2020|website=The42}} He spent time on trial at AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40322996.html|title=French club Rennes make offer for St Pat's star|first=John|last=Fallon|date=26 June 2021|website=Irish Examiner}}

On 25 July 2021, it was announced that Curtis, as well as his brother Ben, had signed for St Patrick's Athletic, where they would initially play with the club's under 19 side.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40344965.html|title=St Pats sign Sam Curtis from Shamrock Rovers|first=John|last=Fallon|date=25 July 2021|website=Irish Examiner}} Curtis made his senior debut for the club came on 13 August 2021, replacing the injured Lee Desmond in injury time of a 2–1 win over Waterford at Richmond Park, making him the club's youngest ever player at 15 years and 255 days old (this record has since been taken by Mason Melia in 2023).{{Cite web|url=https://www.echo.ie/saints-keep-pace-with-hoops-following-waterford-victory/|title=Saints keep pace with Hoops following Waterford victory|first=Daire|last=Walsh|date=14 August 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9240|title=Curtis Called Up To Ireland U19 Squad|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} He made his UEFA Youth League debut on 29 September 2021 in a 2–1 loss to Serbian side Crvena Zvezda.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/st-patricks-athletic-red-star-belgrade-match-report-5561411-Sep2021/|title=St Pat's rally from two goals down but fall just short in Uefa Youth League first leg|first=Dave|last=Donnelly|date=29 September 2021|website=The42}}

Both Sam and brother Ben Curtis signed their first professional contracts on 20 January 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/28602/curtis-brothers-sign-professional-contracts-saints/|title=Curtis brothers sign professional contracts with Saints|first=Seán|last=O'Connor|website=extratime.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2022/01/23/curtis-brothers-sign-pro-deals-with-st-patricks-athletic/|title=Curtis brothers sign pro deals with St Patrick's Athletic|website=Meath Chronicle}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/curtis-brothers-commit-to-st-pats-with-pro-deals/|title=Curtis brothers commit to St. Pat's with pro deals|website=LMFM}} Curtis' first start for the club came on 6 May 2022 in a 4–0 win away to Drogheda United at United Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/st-pats-wonderkid-sam-curtis-26927910|title=St Pat's wonderkid Sam Curtis tipped for a bright career|first=Paul|last=O'Hehir|date=11 May 2022|website=Irish Mirror}} His form in May 2022 saw him voted as the club's Player of the Month by supporters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.phpstory_fbid=pfbid0ch6dCff6EjxQ5Zbb1S2bUsHWrKgzFfAJGfVwnAq23KxXPqh7R75LTq7wpfLZ9cgVl&id=268637637549|title=Log in or sign up to view|website=www.facebook.com}} His first appearances in European competition came in the summer of 2022 when he came off the bench in a 1–1 draw with NŠ Mura of Slovenia{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0721/1311512-forrester-fires-st-pats-to-first-leg-draw-with-mura/|title=Forrester fires St Pat's to first-leg draw with Mura|first=Johnny|last=Ward|date=21 July 2022|via=www.rte.ie}} and in a 1–0 away win against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa Conference League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/st-pats-cska-5833382-Aug2022/|title=Late goal sees St Pat's earn famous win in Bulgaria|first=Paul|last=Fennessy|date=4 August 2022|website=The42}} He won the clubs' Player of the Month award for the second time in the season, for September 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1578418331777761280?s=46&t=J7xt5ynNeYeJ1MJEJFlMiw|title=x.com|website=X (formerly Twitter)}} He made a total of 20 appearances in all competitions during his first full season at the club. His form in his breakthrough season at the club led to reported interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/1010/1328330-manchester-city-tracking-st-pats-teenage-star-curtis/|title=Manchester City tracking St Pat's teenage star Curtis|first=Johnny|last=Ward|date=10 October 2022|via=www.rte.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40983152.html|title=City scouts dispatched to watch Saints' wonderkid Curtis|first=John|last=Fallon|date=13 October 2022|website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40997930.html|title=Chelsea to rival Manchester City in hunt for St Pat's wonderkid Sam Curtis|first=John|last=Fallon|date=2 November 2022|website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/sam-curtis-st-pats-man-city-527917|title=Man City Interested In Signing St. Pat's Teenage Sensation Sam Curtis|first=Colman|last=Stanley|website=Balls.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-city-transfer-news-guardiola-25272096|title=Man City 'line up offer' for teenage sensation Curtis|first=Matthew|last=Hobkinson|date=15 October 2022|website=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-man-city-line-up-sam-curtis-offer-after-roma-trial/|title=Man City racing to sign Sam Curtis after trial with giants - sources|date=14 October 2022|website=Football Insider}}

Curtis started the 2023 season off well, making the Right wingback position his own following the departure of Barry Cotter in the offseason. He started the first 6 games of the season in the position, leading up to the March international break which earned him his first callup to the Republic of Ireland U21 side with Pats assistant manager Jon Daly tipping him for a bright future in the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/st-pats-17-year-old-sensation-sam-curtis-tipped-for-bright-future-42412404.html|title=St Pat's 17-year-old sensation Sam Curtis tipped for bright future|website=independent}} He earned the club's Player of the Month award for his performances in March 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1643548419426856962?s=46&t=J7xt5ynNeYeJ1MJEJFlMiw|title=x.com|website=X (formerly Twitter)}} On 19 May 2023, Curtis scored the first goal of his senior career, heading home a Jake Mulraney corner in a 1–0 Dublin derby win away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/teenage-star-sam-curtis-lifts-jon-dalys-saints-to-tolka-park-triumph/a311173400.html|title=Teenage star Sam Curtis lifts Jon Daly's Saints to Tolka Park triumph|date=19 May 2023|website=Independent.ie}} He was voted as the club's Player of the Month for the second time in the season for May 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1666104865418891264?s=46|title=x.com|website=X (formerly Twitter)}} On 30 June 2023, Curtis scored a header from a Jake Mulraney corner to give his side a 3-goal lead in an eventual 7–0 win over UCD at Richmond Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/15-year-old-mason-melia-becomes-youngest-saints-scorer-in-rout-of-ucd/a2055388410.html|title=15-year-old Mason Melia becomes youngest Saints scorer in rout of UCD|date=June 30, 2023|website=Independent.ie}} On 4 August 2023, he scored his 3rd goal of the season, volleying home his sides second goal in a 2–0 win away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds, in what was his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0804/1398112-saints-punish-sligo-mistakes-to-close-gap-at-the-top/|title=Saints punish Sligo mistakes to close gap at the top|first=David|last=Goulden|date=4 August 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} On 28 October 2023, he was named as the club's Young Player of the Year for 2023.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9488|title=2023 Awards Night Winners|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} On 12 November 2023, Curtis 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}} On 15 November 2023, it was announced that Curtis had been included in the PFAI Team of the Year and was one of the 3 nominees for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award, alongside James Clarke and Jack Moylan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1115/1416638-pfai-team-of-year-includes-one-shamrock-rovers-player/|title=PFAI Team of Year includes one Shamrock Rovers player|date=15 November 2023|via=www.rte.ie}} On 2 December 2023, he was named PFAI Young Player of the Year for 2023, becoming the youngest ever player to win the award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/clean-sweep-for-st-pats-at-pfai-awards-as-chris-forrester-and-sam-curtis-claim-player-and-young-player-of-the-year-gongs/a69432265.html|title=Clean sweep for St Pat's at PFAI awards as Chris Forrester and Sam Curtis claim Player and Young Player of the Year gongs|date=2 December 2023|website=Independent.ie}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9512|title=Curtis Named PFAI Young Player Of The Year|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}

On 25 January 2024, Curtis signed for Premier League club Sheffield United for an undisclosed international training compensation fee, on a contract until 2027.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9538|title=Sam Curtis Joins Sheffield United|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2024/january/25/exciting-youngster-joins/|title=Exciting youngster joins Blades|first=Sheffield United|last=FC|date=25 January 2024|website=Sheffield United FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68099605|title=Sheff Utd sign Republic U21 defender Curtis|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} He was named in the squad for the first time on 25 February 2024, but remained an unused substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/wolves-beat-sheffield-united-1-0-report-6309610-Feb2024/|title=Meath teen Sam Curtis on the bench as struggling Sheffield United lose at Wolves|agency=Press Association|date=25 February 2024|website=The 42}} On 11 May 2024, he made his debut for the club, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute of a 1–0 loss away to Everton in the Premier League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/teenager-sam-curtis-makes-premier-league-debut-for-sheffield-united/a1010963963.html|title=Teenager Sam Curtis makes Premier League debut for Sheffield United|date=11 May 2024|website=Irish Independent}}

On 2 August 2024, Curtis joined EFL League One side Peterborough United on a season long loan deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/sheffield-uniteds-irish-teen-sam-curtis-is-going-out-on-a-season-long-loan-to-league-ones-peterborough/a1683626084.html|title=Sheffield United's Irish teen Sam Curtis is going out on a season-long loan to League One's Peterborough|date=2 August 2024|website=Irish Independent}} He made his debut for the club on 10 August 2024, in a 2–0 loss at home to Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/peterborough-united/a-disappointing-start-to-the-league-one-season-for-peterborough-united-as-huddersfield-town-ease-to-victory-4737320|title=Posh conceded twice in the final 10 minutes of the first-half at London Road|date=10 August 2024|website=Peterborough Telegraph}} He was recalled from his loan on 2 January 2025 after making 19 appearances for the club in all competitions.{{cite web|url=https://www.theposh.com/news/curtis-recalled-blades|title=Curtis Recalled By Blades|website=www.theposh.com|date=2 January 2025|accessdate=2 January 2025}}

On 17 January 2025, Curtis was loaned to St Johnstone until the end of the season, with the side bottom of the Scottish Premiership at the time of joining.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ex-saint-sam-curtis-steeled-for-relegation-battle-after-loan-move-to-scotland/a944505710.html|title=Ex-Saint Sam Curtis steeled for relegation battle after loan move to Scotland|date=17 January 2025|website=Irish Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c8633yyj30xo.amp|title=St Johnstone sign Sheffield United defender Curtis on loan|date=17 January 2025|website=BBC Sport}} He made his debut for the club the following day in a 1–0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/5164556/st-johnstone-simo-valakari-motherwell-win/|title=St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari knows his team have a lot of work to do but players and fans deserved chance to celebrate together|first=Eric|last=Nicolson|date=18 January 2025}} On 6 April 2025, he helped his side to a clean sheet while up against Jota in a 1–0 victory at home to Champions Celtic at McDiarmid Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/celtic-st-johnstone-7-6670317-Apr2025/|title=Celtic stunned as they lose to bottom side St Johnstone for first time in almost 10 years|agency=Press Association|date=6 April 2025|website=The 42}}

Curtis featured for the Republic of Ireland U15 side in 2019, captaining the side at age 13.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/2019-review-ireland-u15|title=2019 Review: Ireland U15 | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} He was a prominent player for the Republic of Ireland U17s during their qualification campaign over 2021–2022, scoring 2 goals in 6 appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/mu17-review-of-2022|title=MU17 | Review of 2022 | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2021/09/02/sam-curtis-in-republic-of-ireland-u-17-panel/|title=Sam Curtis in Republic of Ireland u-17 panel|website=Meath Chronicle}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2021/12/09/sam-and-ben-curtis-add-to-international-experience/|title=Sam and Ben Curtis add to international experience|website=Meath Chronicle}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0329/1289168-irelands-u17-euro-hopes-end-despite-fight-back/|title=Ireland's U17 Euro hopes end despite fight-back|date=29 March 2022|via=www.rte.ie}} Curtis captained the Republic of Ireland U18 side over 2021–2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2022/11/16/curtis-looking-to-lead-irish-to-more-success/|title=Curtis looking to lead Irish to more success|website=Meath Chronicle}} His first call up to the Republic of Ireland U19 team came in September 2022. Curtis received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 side came in March 2023, for a friendly against Iceland U21, despite still being just 17 years old.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/preview-ireland-u21-v-iceland-u21|title=PREVIEW | Ireland U21 v Iceland U21 | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=9322|title=Saints Named In U21 Squad|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} He played the full 90 minutes in the game as his side came from behind to win 2–1 after playing an hour with 10 men.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-u21s-iceland-6029549-Mar2023/|title=Cannon and Kenny strike as 10-man Ireland overcome Iceland|first=Dylan|last=O'Connell|date=26 March 2023|website=The42}} On 20 June 2023, he was named as Republic of Ireland U18 Player of the Year for 2022 at the FAI International Football Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/winners-unveiled-at-the-33rd-fai-international-awards|title=Winners unveiled at the 33rd FAI International Awards | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} On 6 September 2024, he scored his first goal for the U21s, scoring an 84th minute winner in his sides 1–0 victory away to Turkey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/sam-curtis-strikes-late-as-ireland-u21s-take-another-step-towards-historic-euro-qualification/a700482588.html|title=Sam Curtis strikes late as Ireland U21s take another step towards historic Euro qualification|date=6 September 2024|website=Irish Independent}}

{{updated|match played on 14 May 2025}}

{{notelist}}

St Patrick's Athletic

• FAI Cup (2): 2021, 2023

Individual

• PFAI Young Player of the Year (1): 2023
• PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year (1): 2023
• St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year (1): 2023
• FAI Under-18 International Player of the Year (1): 2022

{{reflist}}

{{Sheffield United F.C. squad}}

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Category:2005 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from County Meath

Category:Men's association football fullbacks

Category:Men's association football central defenders

Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players

Category:Sheffield United F.C. players

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Category:St Johnstone F.C. players

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Category:People from Navan

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen