Kieran Freeman Explained

Kieran Freeman should not be confused with Kieron Freeman.

Kieran Freeman
Fullname:Kieran Ewan Freeman[1]
Birth Date:30 March 2000
Birth Place:Aberdeen, Scotland
Height:1.79m (05.87feet)[2]
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Raith Rovers
Clubnumber:2
Youthclubs1:Dundee United
Youthyears2:2016–2020
Youthclubs2:Southampton
Years1:2020–2024
Clubs1:Dundee United
Caps1:53
Goals1:2
Years2:2020–2021
Clubs2:Peterhead (loan)
Caps2:11
Goals2:0
Years3:2021
Clubs3:Peterhead (loan)
Caps3:11
Goals3:0
Years4:2024
Clubs4:St Patrick's Athletic
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Raith Rovers
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2014
Nationalteam1:Scotland U15
Nationalcaps1:12
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2014
Nationalteam2:Scotland U16
Nationalcaps2:8
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2022
Nationalteam3:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:12:12, 24 June 2024 (UTC)

Kieran Ewan Freeman (born 20 March 2000)[3] is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for club Raith Rovers.

Career

Club

A product of the Scottish Football Association's Performance School based at St John's Roman Catholic High School in Dundee, Freeman played for Dundee United at youth level before leaving in July 2016, aged 16, to sign his first professional contract with Premier League club Southampton.[4] He suffered three serious injuries in his first two years at Southampton,[5] but was offered a new short-term contract by the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.[6]

Following the expiry of his Southampton contract, Freeman returned to Dundee United on trial in January 2020[7] and was subsequently offered a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.[8] In May 2020, he signed a two-year contract extension.[9] He made his senior debut on 15 August 2020, in Dundee United's 2–1 Scottish Premiership win away to Ross County.[10] Freeman joined Scottish League One club Peterhead on a season-long loan in September 2020,[11] but after making 14 appearances his loan was cut short in January 2021 when the lower divisions were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] He returned on loan to Peterhead in March 2021, after the suspension was lifted.[13]

Freeman scored his first goal for Dundee United on 14 July 2021, in a 6–1 win over Elgin City in the Scottish League Cup.[14] Given a run of regular starting appearances due to Liam Smith being out injured, he scored his first league goal in a 3-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road in October 2021,[15] and subsequently extended his contract by a further two years.[16]

On 21 February 2024, Freeman joined League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic on a permanent basis.[17] [18] On 24 June 2024, it was announced that Freeman's contract had been terminated by mutual consent after 9 appearances with the club.[19]

On 24 June 2024, it was announced that he had signed for Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers.[20]

International

Freeman represented Scotland at under-15 and under-16 international level in 2014.[21] In 2022 he was called up to the under-21 squad for European Championship Qualifiers against Belgium and Denmark,[22] playing in both games.[23]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dundee United2020–21Scottish Premiership30000030
2021–22231205110312
2022–23[24] 24110101000271
2023–24Scottish Championship3000301070
Total53230911020683
Peterhead (loan)2020–21Scottish League One1103000140
Peterhead (loan)2020–21Scottish League One1101000120
St Patrick's Athletic2024LOI Premier Division801090
Raith Rovers2024–25Scottish Championship0000400040
Career total8324016110301073

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/08/2016 and 31/08/2016 . The Football Association . 19 . 28 February 2021.
  2. Web site: Kieran Freeman . 5 December 2020 . dundeeunitedfc.co.uk . Dundee United F.C. . en.
  3. News: Kieran Freeman . 16 August 2020 . Dundee United F.C..
  4. News: Lorimer . Scott . Dundee United due fee after kid Kieran Freeman joins Southampton . 16 August 2020 . Evening Telegraph . 1 July 2016 . Dundee.
  5. News: Southampton and Scotland prospect Kieran Freeman talks rehab, resilience and Robertson as he steps up comeback bid . 16 August 2020 . Scottish Football Association . 18 September 2018.
  6. News: Walker . Marc . Southampton: Saints release six players at end of 2018/19 season . 16 August 2020 . Saints Marching . FanSided . 9 June 2019.
  7. News: Nicolson . Eric . Dundee United welcome back Kieran Freeman for a trial . 16 August 2020 . The Courier . 7 January 2020 . Dundee.
  8. News: Dundee United sign Dillon Powers from Orlando City and Kieran Freeman from Southampton . 16 August 2020 . BBC Sport . 10 January 2020.
  9. News: Nicolson . Eric . Exclusive: Dundee United full-back Kieran Freeman agrees contract extension . 16 August 2020 . The Courier . 28 May 2020 . Dundee.
  10. News: McDougall . Mark . Micky Mellon in 'we are Dundee United' rallying call to Tannadice troops . 16 August 2020 . Daily Record . 15 August 2020 . Glasgow.
  11. News: Law . Callum . Kieran Freeman wants to take Peterhead chance after injury setbacks during Southampton spell . 7 February 2021 . Evening Express . 3 October 2020 . Aberdeen.
  12. News: Law . Callum . Kieran Freeman would be happy to return to Peterhead after loan stint . 7 February 2021 . Evening Express . 19 January 2021 . Aberdeen.
  13. Web site: Dundee United agree Kieran Freeman can return to Peterhead on loan.
  14. News: Kieran Freeman and Chris Mochrie score their first goals for Dundee United . 18 July 2021 . BT Sport . 14 July 2021.
  15. News: Elder . Matthew . Why scoring against Hibs for Dundee United was the 'best moment of my life' . 10 December 2021 . The Scotsman . 18 October 2021.
  16. News: Kieran Freeman signs new contract with Dundee United . 10 December 2021 . BT.com . 9 December 2021.
  17. Web site: Kieran Freeman Signs For The Saints. www.stpatsfc.com.
  18. Web site: KIERAN FREEMAN JOINS ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC ON PERMANENT TRANSFER. Dundee United Football Club.
  19. Web site: x.com.
  20. https://www.raithrovers.net/welcome-kieran-freeman/
  21. News: Kieran Freeman . 16 August 2020 . Scottish Football Association.
  22. Web site: Kieran Freeman: Dundee United star lifts lid on Scotland under-21 joy after 'massive' season .
  23. Web site: Kieran Freeman - Scotland - U21 EURO .
  24. Web site: Scotland - K. Freeman - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. int.soccerway.com.