Killian Phillips Explained

Killian Phillips
Birth Date:30 March 2002
Birth Place:San Diego, California, United States
Position:Attacking midfielder
Currentclub:St Mirren
(on loan from Crystal Palace)
Youthclubs1:Kilbarrack United
Youthclubs2:Drogheda United
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:Drogheda United
Caps1:30
Goals1:2
Years2:2022–
Clubs2:Crystal Palace
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Caps3:19
Goals3:3
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps4:24
Goals4:1
Years5:2024
Clubs5:Aberdeen (loan)
Caps5:10
Goals5:0
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:St Mirren (loan)
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland U20
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Republic of Ireland U21
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:1
Club-Update:23:34, 4 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:19:01, 22 March 2024 (UTC)

Killian Phillips (born 30 March 2002) is an Irish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for St Mirren on loan from club Crystal Palace. Born in the United States he plays for Republic of Ireland U21 national football team

Early life

Phillips was born in San Diego on 30 March 2002 and moved to Kilbarrack, Dublin as a child.[1] He began his football career as a youth player with Kilbarrack United before moving to the academy sides of Drogheda United.[2]

Club career

Drogheda United

Having been a non-playing substitute in some matches in 2020, Phillips made his debut for Drogheda United in a 1–0 loss at home to Shamrock Rovers on 20 April 2021.[3] The first senior goal of Phillips' career came on 8 May 2021, in a 7–0 win away to Waterford at the RSC as the home side fielded their under-19 squad due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the first team.[4] On 24 October 2021, he scored the only goal of the game as Drogheda beat Derry City at United Park.[5] He made 31 appearances in all competitions during the 2021 season, scoring two goals.[6]

Crystal Palace

At the end of the season, Phillips had a trial with Crystal Palace and made a permanent move to the Premier League club in January 2022,[7] and spent the rest of the 2021–22 season with the club's under-23 team. In March 2022, he was selected for the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad,[8] but was only involved as a non-playing substitute. He was part of the Crystal Palace first-team squad that travelled to Singapore and Australia before the 2022–23 season and started in the friendly games against Liverpool and Manchester United.[9] Phillips made his senior debut for Crystal Palace on 23 August 2022, starting the Carabao Cup tie against Oxford United.[10] [11]

Shrewsbury Town loan

On 29 December 2022, it was announced that Phillips would join Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season, once the transfer window opened on 1 January 2023.[12] [13] Despite only featuring for half of the season, Phillips was awarded the Young Player of the Season for his efforts.[14] His performances for the "Shrews" were described as "immense" by the club's manager Steve Cotterill.[15]

Wycombe Wanderers loan

On 11 August 2023, Phillips signed a new contract with Crystal Palace and on the same day also joined EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a season long loan deal.[16] [17]

Phillips scored his first league goal for the club in a 2–1 loss against local rivals Reading F.C. on 25 November 2023.

Aberdeen loan

After it was mutually agreed to cut short his loan at Wycombe Wanderers, Phillips joined Scottish club Aberdeen on 28 January 2024 until the end of season.

St Mirren (loan)

On 21 August 2024, Phillips joined Scottish Premiership club St Mirren on a season-long loan deal.[18]

International career

Phillips' first involvement at international level came in March 2022, when he captained a Republic of Ireland U20 team in a 1–0 friendly match defeat against a team of Ireland Amateurs at Whitehall Stadium.[19] His performance earned him a call up to the U21 side for their qualifying fixture away to Sweden U21 the following week.[20] He made his debut for the U21 team in a 2–1 friendly win over Iceland U21 at Turners Cross on 26 March 2023.[21] On 21 November 2023, he scored his first goal for his country in a 2–2 draw at home to Italy U21.[22]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Drogheda United2021[23] League of Ireland Premier Division30210312
Crystal Palace2022–23Premier League0000
2022–23Premier League001010
2023–24Premier League0000
Total3021010322
Shrewsbury Town (loan)2022–23League One19310203
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2023–24League One241211030302
Aberdeen (loan)2023–24Scottish Premiership100300000130
Career total836712030957

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sneyd . David . The start of a journey in football: 'I feel like I'm always chasing, and being chased' . 5 August 2022 . The42 . 29 May 2022 . en.
  2. Web site: 'He looked a box-to-box player with a lot of strength' – Kilbarrack youth Killian Phillips catches Patrick Vieira's eye . 5 August 2022 . independent . 23 January 2022 . en.
  3. Web site: League Report: Drogheda United 0 – 1 Shamrock Rovers. extratime.com.
  4. Web site: League Report: Waterford 0 - 7 Drogheda United. ExtraTime.com.
  5. Web site: Phillips heads Drogheda to victory over Derry. Barry. Landy. 24 October 2021. www.rte.ie.
  6. Web site: Republic of Ireland - K. Phillips - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. ie.soccerway.com.
  7. Web site: Drogs ace Phillips signs Palace deal . 5 August 2022 . independent . 11 January 2022 . en.
  8. Web site: Keep track of Palace's Academy internationals as Phillips earns U21s nod – News . 5 August 2022 . Crystal Palace F.C. . 23 March 2022 . en-GB.
  9. Web site: AFP . Dubliner Killian Phillips starts for Crystal Palace in loss to Liverpool . 5 August 2022 . The42 . 15 July 2022 . en.
  10. Web site: Team news: Three debuts for Palace v Oxford – News . 24 August 2022 . Crystal Palace F.C. . June 2022 . en-GB.
  11. Web site: OXFORD UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE. Soccerway.
  12. Web site: Killian Phillips joins Salop on loan from Crystal Palace . 2022-12-29 . www.shrewsburytown.com . en-gb.
  13. News: Shrewsbury sign Palace midfielder Phillips on loan . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-12-29.
  14. Web site: Gallery Awards Night 2022/23 . 2023-05-23 . www.shrewsburytown.com . en-gb.
  15. Web site: Westbury . Ollie . 2023-04-22 . 'Immense' Killian Phillips has been a real loan star for Shrewsbury . 2023-05-23 . www.shropshirestar.com . en.
  16. Web site: Killian Phillips signs new contract and joins Wycombe on loan - News. 11 August 2023. Crystal Palace F.C..
  17. Web site: Ireland U21 Phillips agrees new Crystal Palace deal before League One loan. Niall. Kelly. 11 August 2023. The 42.
  18. Web site: St Mirren announce signing of Killian Phillips. www.stmirren.com. 21 August 2024. 22 August 2024.
  19. Web site: REPORT | Ireland U20s 0-1 Ireland Amateurs | Football Association of Ireland. fai.ie.
  20. Web site: SQUAD UPDATE | Burns, Phillips and McEntee join U21s squad | Football Association of Ireland. fai.ie.
  21. Web site: Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Iceland | 2023 – Under-21 Mens Friendlies | 999948672 | Football Association of Ireland. fai.ie.
  22. Web site: Heartbreak for Ireland as Italy claim dramatic late draw in Euro qualifier . 21 November 2023 .
  23. Web site: Republic of Ireland – K. Phillips – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway . 5 August 2022 . int.soccerway.com.