John Ryan (footballer, born 2004)

For other uses, see John Ryan.

John Ryan

Personal information
Full name	John Patrick Ryan [1]
Date of birth	(2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 21)
Place of birth	County Limerick, Ireland
Position	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Reading
Number	36
Youth career
	Aisling Annacotty
2017–2018	St. Kevin's Boys
2018–2021	Shamrock Rovers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020	Shamrock Rovers II	11	(0)
2022	UCD	20	(0)
2022–2023	Sassuolo	0	(0)
2023–	Reading	0	(0)
International career‡
2018–2019	Republic of Ireland U15	9	(0)
2019–2020	Republic of Ireland U16	9	(0)
2021	Republic of Ireland U18	3	(0)
2022–2023	Republic of Ireland U19	4	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:04, 23 October 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 21:29, 28 March 2023 (UTC)

John Patrick Ryan (born 20 January 2004) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Reading.

Club career

Born in County Limerick, Ryan started his career with local side Aisling Annacotty before a move to St. Kevin's Boys in 2017. ^[2] He would not stay for long, and after an approach by Shamrock Rovers, he joined the Tallaght-based side in 2018. ^[3] As a child, he also played Gaelic football and hurling for teams in Ballybricken and Monaleen as well as for the Limerick primary schools Gaelic football team. ^[4]

After starring for Shamrock Rovers' youth sides, winning a number of competitions, he left for fellow League of Ireland Premier Division side UCD to gain more first-team experience, before securing a move to Italian side Sassuolo in September 2022. ^{[5] [6]}

Also on 1 September 2023, Reading announced the singing of Ryan to their U21 squad for the season. ^[7] On 23 May 2024, Reading announced that they had extended their contract with Ryan for an additional season. ^[8]

International career

Ryan has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth international level. ^[9]

Career statistics

Club

As of matches played 7 October 2025 ^[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup [a]		League Cup [b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Shamrock Rovers II	2020	LOI First Division	11	0	–		–		–		11	0
UCD	2022	LOI Premier Division	20	0	2	0	–		0	0	22	0
Sassuolo	2022–23	Serie A	0	0	0	0	–		–		0	0
Reading	2023–24	EFL League One	0	0	0	0	–		0	0	0	0
	2024–25		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2025–26		0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0	6	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0	6	0
Career total			31	0	2	0	3	0	3	0	39	0

Notes

1. Includes FAI Cup, Coppa Italia & FA Cup
2. Includes EFL Cup

References

1. "EFL - Squad List 2024/25" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
2. McDonnell, Daniel (1 September 2022). "UCD defender John Ryan set for move to Serie A side Sassuolo". independent.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
3. "Teenage soccer sensation John Ryan reflects on his journey so far". limerickvoice.com. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
4. Lynch, Richard (8 June 2022). "Limerick Footballer John Ryan plays a huge role in Republic of Ireland U19s against Iceland". ilovelimerick.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
5. Kinsella, Colm (9 November 2021). "Talented Limerick teenager John Ryan celebrating double success with Hoops". limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2022.(subscription required)
6. Kinsella, Colm (1 September 2022). "Exciting Limerick teenager moving to Italy's Serie A". limerickleader.ie. Retrieved 23 October 2022.(subscription required)
7. "FOUR NEW RECRUITS SIGN UP TO ONE-YEAR DEALS WITH OUR UNDER-21S". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
8. "ACADEMY RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
9. John Ryan at WorldFootball.net
10. John Ryan at Soccerway