Kevin Long (footballer)

Kevin Long

Personal information
Full name	Kevin Finbarr Long [1]
Date of birth	(1990-08-18) 18 August 1990 (age 34) [2]
Place of birth	Cork, Ireland
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) [2]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Toronto FC
Number	5
Youth career
2007–2009	Cork City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2010	Cork City	16	(1)
2010–2023	Burnley	69	(1)
2010–2011	→ Accrington Stanley (loan)	15	(0)
2011–2012	→ Accrington Stanley (loan)	24	(4)
2012	→ Rochdale (loan)	16	(0)
2012	→ Portsmouth (loan)	5	(0)
2015–2016	→ Barnsley (loan)	11	(2)
2016	→ Milton Keynes Dons (loan)	2	(0)
2023–2024	Birmingham City	34	(1)
2024–	Toronto FC	26	(0)
International career
2017–2020	Republic of Ireland	17	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:59, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Kevin Finbarr Long (born 18 August 1990) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC and the Republic of Ireland national team. He plays mainly as a centre-back but can also fill in at full-back.

Long began his career with Cork City before joining Burnley in 2010 as a 19-year-old. He never established himself as a regular in the Burnley side, and spent several spells out on loan, before leaving the club in 2023 to sign for Birmingham City. He moved on to Toronto FC in February 2024.

Club career

Cork City

Long came through the Cork City youth structure, before signing on professional terms in January 2008.^{[ citation needed ]} He played for the Cork City teams that won the FAI Youth Cup, ^[3] the Munster Youth Cup ^{[ citation needed ]} and FAI Futsal Cup ^[4] in 2009. Shortly after, the centre half made his senior City debut away to St Patrick's Athletic, coming on as a second-half substitute. ^[5]

Burnley

With his Cork City contract due to expire in November 2009, Long was linked with English clubs including Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Preston North End, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. ^{[6] [7]} On 26 November, Premier League club Burnley confirmed that they had paid a six-figure fee and "beaten off stiff competition from top clubs north and south of the border" ^[8]  –reported as Celtic and Everton ^[9]  –to engage Long on a three-and-a-half-year contract, to begin when the January 2010 transfer window opened. ^[8]

Loan to Accrington Stanley

On 15 October 2010, Long joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on a month's loan. ^[10] He made his debut for the club in the 3–2 defeat to Rotherham United, but was sent off after 17 minutes for a foul on Adam Le Fondre. ^[11] The loan was twice extended ^{[12] [13]} before he returned to Burnley on 18 January 2011 after cracking a bone in his foot during a match against Cheltenham Town. ^[14] He rejoined Stanley at the end of January on loan for the remainder of the season. ^[15] He made 17 appearances. ^[16]

Long again signed for Stanley on 5 August 2011, this time on loan until the following January. ^[17] As he did during his first spell on loan, Long maintained his first-team status. He scored the first goal of his English career in a 2–2 draw with Plymouth Argyle on 8 October, and went on to score against Bristol Rovers, Torquay United and Macclesfield Town. ^[18] He re-joined Burnley on 5 January 2012, having made 26 appearances. ^[18]

Loan to Rochdale

Long's former manager at Accrington, John Coleman, signed him for League One club Rochdale on 27 January 2012 on loan for a month. ^[19] After playing four matches with two clean sheets during a run of two wins and a draw, Long extended his loan spell at Rochdale until the end of April. ^[20] He continued in the first team, ^[18] but Rochdale were unable to avoid relegation.^{[ citation needed ]}

Loan to Portsmouth

On 18 August 2012, Long joined EFL League One side Portsmouth on a one-month emergency loan. ^[21] He made his first appearance the same day, as a member of a team of debutants starting a 1–1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, ^[22] was sent off for a second bookable offence in his third, ^[23] and suffered a back injury in his fifth and last that meant his loan was not renewed. ^[24]

Return to Burnley

Long scored his first goal for Burnley in a 4–3 FA Cup defeat at Southampton on 4 January 2014. ^[25] He made his Premier League debut a year later, in a 3–3 draw away to Newcastle United on 1 January 2015. He replaced the injured Jason Shackell in the 17th minute, but 20 minutes later was himself replaced, becoming the third Burnley player to be substituted during the match. ^[26] He had ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments. A few days later, he signed an extended contract with Burnley to run until 2017. ^[27]

Loan to Barnsley

In November 2015, after regaining full fitness, Long joined League One club Barnsley on a month's loan. ^[28] He scored a late winner against Oldham Athletic on his debut, ^[29] but was sent off in his second game, against Peterborough United. ^[30] He went on to help Barnsley reach the Football League Trophy final, successfully converting his kick in the penalty shootout that decided the northern area final. It was his last touch of a ball for Barnsley before his loan expired. ^[31]

Loan to Milton Keynes Dons

On 24 March 2016, Long joined Championship club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the 2015–16 season. ^[32]

Birmingham City

In January 2023, Long signed for Championship club Birmingham City until the end of the season. ^[33] Lack of match fitness marred his early appearances –he had not played first-team football for eight months prior to joining ^[34]  –but head coach John Eustace continued to select him, ^{[35] [36]} and he started 20 of a possible 23 matches. ^[37] Long was one of six senior professionals included on Birmingham's list of players to be released, ^[38] but signed a new one-year contract with the club on 25 June. ^[39] He played every minute of Birmingham's Championship season under Eustace's management, demonstrating aerial strength to complement centre-back partner Dion Sanderson's speed and ball skills, but lost his place to Emanuel Aiwu when Wayne Rooney took over as manager in October. ^{[40] [41]} A calf injury kept him out until January 2024, when Tony Mowbray restored him to the team, ^[42] and he started four Championship matches before leaving the club for an undisclosed fee on 20 February. ^{[43] [44]}

Toronto FC

Long signed for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC on 20 February 2024. His contract covered 2024 with an option for 2025. ^[45] He made his MLS debut five days later, playing the whole of the goalless opening-day visit to FC Cincinnati. ^[46] He scored his first goal for the club against Simcoe County Rovers in a 5-0 victory at the Canadian Championship on April 24, 2024. ^[47]

International career

In May 2017, he received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior side in a 37-man squad for a training camp in Fota Island. ^[48] He made the cut for the final squad for the friendlies against Mexico in New Jersey and Uruguay in Dublin, ^[49] and made his debut on 1 June in the 3–1 defeat to Mexico at the MetLife Stadium, replacing John Egan as a second-half substitute. ^[50]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 October 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup [a]		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Cork City	2008 [51]	LOI Premier Division	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2009 [51]	LOI Premier Division	16	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	17	1
	Total		16	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	17	1
Burnley	2009–10 [52]	Premier League	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	2010–11 [16]	Championship	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	2011–12 [18]	Championship	0	0	0	0	—		—		0	0
	2012–13 [23]	Championship	14	0	0	0	0	0	—		14	0
	2013–14 [53]	Championship	7	0	1	1	3	0	—		11	1
	2014–15 [54]	Premier League	1	0	0	0	1	0	—		2	0
	2015–16 [55]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2016–17 [56]	Premier League	3	0	0	0	1	0	—		4	0
	2017–18 [57]	Premier League	16	1	1	0	2	0	—		19	1
	2018–19 [58]	Premier League	6	0	2	0	1	1	3 [b]	0	12	1
	2019–20 [59]	Premier League	8	0	2	0	1	0	—		11	0
	2020–21 [60]	Premier League	8	0	2	1	2	0	—		12	1
	2021–22 [61]	Premier League	6	0	0	0	0	0	—		6	0
	2022–23 [37]	Championship	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	Total		69	1	8	2	11	1	3	0	91	4
Accrington Stanley (loan)	2010–11 [16]	League Two	15	0	2	0	—		—		17	0
	2011–12 [18]	League Two	24	4	0	0	1	0	1 [c]	0	26	4
	Total		39	4	2	0	1	0	1	0	43	4
Rochdale (loan)	2011–12 [18]	League One	16	0	—		—		—		16	0
Portsmouth (loan)	2012–13 [23]	League One	5	0	—		—		1 [c]	0	6	0
Barnsley (loan)	2015–16 [55]	League One	11	2	—		—		2 [c]	0	13	2
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)	2015–16 [55]	Championship	2	0	—		—		—		2	0
Birmingham City	2022–23 [37]	Championship	17	1	3	1	0	0	—		20	2
	2023–24 [62]	Championship	17	0	1	0	2	0	—		20	0
	Total		34	1	4	1	2	0	—		40	2
Toronto FC	2024 [43]	MLS	26	0	5	1	—		3 [d]	0	34	1
Career total			218	9	19	4	15	1	10	0	261	14

1. Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup and Canadian Championship
2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
3. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
4. Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year ^[50]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Republic of Ireland	2017	4	0
	2018	7	0
	2019	2	1
	2020	4	0
Total		17	1

Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Long goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	10 September 2019	Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland	Bulgaria	2–1	3–1	Friendly	[63]

References

1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
2. "Kevin Long". Premier League. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
3. Riordan, John (18 May 2009). "Waters' penalty sinks Salthill". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
4. "Cork City claim Futsal trophy". Football Association of Ireland. 5 June 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
5. "Cork City beat St Pats". Cork City F.C. Retrieved 21 July 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
6. O'Hehir, Paul (30 October 2009). "Duo in for Kev" . The Mirror. p. 7. Retrieved 19 February 2024– via Gale OneFile: News.
7. O'Hehir, Paul (10 November 2009). "Celts in race to net Kev" . The Mirror. p. 51. Retrieved 19 February 2024– via Gale OneFile: News.
8. "Deal agreed for Cork defender Long". Burnley F.C. 26 November 2009. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
9. "Burnley sign top Irish prospect Kevin Long". Mirror Football. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
10. "Stanley secure deal for Long". Sky Sports. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
11. "Accrington Stanley 2 Rotherham United 3: Ten-man Stanley stung by Millers". Yorkshire Post. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
12. "Accrington Stanley extend Kevin Long loan deal". BBC Sport. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
13. "Burnley's Kevin Long extends loan at Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
14. "Long's Stanley spell cut short". Sky Sports. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
15. "Long heads back to Stanley". Burnley F.C. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
16. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
17. "Long returns to Stanley". Sky Sports. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
18. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
19. "Kevin no long shot for Coleman". Sky Sports. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
20. "Long extends Spotland stay". Sky Sports. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
21. "Portsmouth sign four players on loan". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
22. "Portsmouth 1–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
23. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
24. Allen, Neil (17 September 2012). "Crocked Long set to make way for Pompey striker recruit". Portsmouth News. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
25. McLeman, Neil (5 January 2014). "Jay Rodriguez believes England call-up has taken Saints team-mate Adam Lallana to the next level". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
26. Oliver, Pete (1 January 2015). "Newcastle United 3–3 Burnley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
27. Madden, Patrick (6 January 2015). "Kevin Long offered new deal by Burnley". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
28. "Kevin Long joins Reds from Burnley". Barnsley F.C. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
29. "Oldham Athletic 1–2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
30. "Peterborough 3–2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
31. "'Terrific' centre-back Long leaves after firing Barnsley up the table". Barnsley Chronicle. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
32. "Defender Long joins Dons on loan". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
33. "Blues sign Kevin Long!". Birmingham City F.C. 5 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
34. Dick, Brian (14 January 2023). "Birmingham City player ratings vs Bristol City: Deeney defiant but Blues swept away". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
35. Dick, Brian (15 February 2023). "John Eustace explains Kevin Long absence as Birmingham City fail to spark against Cardiff". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
36. Haffenden, Charlie (15 March 2023). "Championship team of the week dominated by Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Stoke City & Norwich City – gallery". Birmingham World. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
37. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
38. "Blues Men's: Retained and released list". Birmingham City F.C. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
39. "Kevin Long returns to Blues!". Birmingham City F.C. 25 June 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
40. Dicken, Alex (28 September 2023). "I see one route for Emanuel Aiwu at Birmingham City right now after John Eustace reveal". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
41. Dicken, Alex (29 October 2023). "Jay Stansfield makes his point as Wayne Rooney reveals Birmingham City threat". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
42. Dicken, Alex (15 January 2024). "Kevin Long opens up on Tony Mowbray impact and Scott Hogan comeback after Wayne Rooney exit". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
43. "K. Long". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
44. "Kevin Long leaves Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
45. "Toronto FC acquire defender Kevin Long". Toronto FC. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
46. "Herdman makes an impact as TFC battle for point in Cincinnati". theScore. Agence France-Presse. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
47. "Reds Advance in Canadian Championship with a 5-Star Performance". Toronto FC Official Website. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
48. Marshall, Tyrone (15 May 2017). "Burnley defender Kevin Long earns first Republic of Ireland call-up". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
49. "Alan Browne and Kevin Long in line for Ireland debuts as 19 players travel to the US". The 42. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
50. "Kevin Finbarr Long". EU-football.info. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
51. "Player profile: Kevin Long". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 29 January 2018.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
52. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
53. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
54. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
55. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
56. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
57. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
58. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
59. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
60. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
61. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
62. "Games played by Kevin Long in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
63. "Republic of Ireland 3–1 Bulgaria: Collins comes off the bench to seal friendly victory". Sky Sports. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2024.

External links

• Kevin Long at Soccerbase