James McClean

At 35 years old, James McClean has this physical status:

James Joseph McClean (m?-KLAYN; born 22 April 1989) is an Irish professional footballer who competes for Stoke City and the Republic of Ireland's national team. He played for Trojans, Institute, his hometown team Derry City, and Sunderland before moving to Wigan Athletic in August 2013.

He spent two seasons at Wigan, winning their Player of the Year award in the latter, and then moved to the Premier League by joining West Bromwich Albion in June 2015.

McClean spent three seasons with the Baggies before joining Stoke City in July 2018. McClean was born and raised in Derry and competed for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, but he refused to be called up to the senior squad because he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland.

McClean got FIFA approval in February 2012, making him eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut against the Czech Republic in the same month.

He has since represented the country at UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016, respectively.

Early life

McClean grew up in Derry's Creggan area and attended Holy Family Primary School and St. Peter's High School. Before focusing on association football, he played Gaelic football with Seán Dolans GAC.

Personal life

In 2010, McClean first started a friendship with Erin Connor. They married in Derry, Ireland, in 2016. They are expecting their fourth child as of July 2022.

Since writing a tweet naming "The Broad Black Brimmer" as his favorite song by The Wolfe Tones, McClean, who lived in Sunderland at the time, attracted skepticism. The song is associated with physical strength in Ireland's republicanism. Martin O'Neill, his club's general, asked him not to use Twitter as a result of his tweet.

McClean and his family have been subjected to anti-Irish bullying both in person and on social media since being moved to England in 2012.

McClean has been both chastised and praised for his continuing refusal to wear football shirts bearing the symbol of the remembrance poppy when playing games on or near Remembrance Day (the nearest Sunday), leading to his being named by the BBC in 2015 as the prime example for one of the "true reasons people don't wear poppies." The special shirts, which are usually auctioned, are part of the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal, with all Premier League club shirts displaying poppies in various forms since 2010.

McClean cites his displeasure with Derry and the British Army's participation in The Troubles. He grew up on the Creggan estate, where six of the men shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 come from. He said he would wear the poppy if it were limited to celebrating only soldiers who died in the World Wars, many of whom, especially during World War I, were Irish, and that his position is one of peace, not any kind of national or nationalist viewpoint. The Legion refuses to force people to wear the poppy because doing so would go against everything the poppy symbolises.

McClean has been booed by followers of opposition teams as well as some of his own club's supporters. McClean was exposed to sectarian abuse and partisanry, including murder threats following the first refusal.

Several celebrities, including Tracey and Jamie Devitt, have expressed support for his decision as a personal matter of conscience. McClean was wearing a plain Sunderland shirt during their match against Everton on November 10, 2012. McClean wore his unadorned shirt, signed, to a charity auction in aid of a Dublin-based children's charity.

McClean has made a number of charitable contributions. At the Wells and Foyle Valley House in Derry, he made a significant gift to homeless people. He donated £1,500 for a custom hand cycle bicycle to help a child who was suffering from Spina Bifida. He made another significant gift to the Wells facility in the Bogside, which is intended for up to 24 men with alcohol problems. Since learning of a pregnant homeless woman's struggles on social media, he paid £1,750 for a new smartphone. For a four-year-old boy with cancer-related cancer in Florida, he donated £1,000 to help pay for specialized proton therapy. He gave a donation of €1,200 to help pay the funeral of a two-year-old boy who was killed by a car. In December 2016, he launched a new clothing collection with the proceeds going to assist homeless people of his native Derry, Ireland. He donated £500 to an online fund established to assist the relatives of a missing Derry man.

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Club career

McClean began his studies at MIT, making his first team appearance as a replacement against Glentoran in the 2007-08 Irish Premier League season. In the summer of 2008, the institute decided not to renew his contract.

McClean's debut in a League Cup tie against Bohemians on July 1, 2008, was the first score in a 4–1 victory. Kevin McHugh was a replacement for Kevin McHugh, who was playing against Cork City at Turner's Cross on September 8, 2008. The club had a difficult financial year in 2009, and the players went weeks without pay in his first full season with Derry. McClean held talks with English League Two team Lincoln City during this time, but it did not result in a contract, as McClean was homesick. Derry finished the season in 4th place, but the FAI suspended them for violating rules by retaining secondary, unofficial contracts with players. They were invited to participate in the First Division of the League of Ireland.

McClean, along with David McDaid and the McEleney brothers, was one of the first four players to sign for the new Derry City in December 2009; Shane and Patrick were among the first four players to sign. In the 2010 season, McClean scored eight goals in 33 appearances, assisting Derry in returning to the top-flight. McClean's name has piqued increasing attention from English clubs in the 2011 season, with Peterborough United making some unsuccessful attempts. Everton was also involved in his research. Derry accepted Sunderland's bid for McClean in August 2011.

McClean joined Sunderland on September 9, 2011 for a fee of £350,000, marking a three-year deal. Manager Steve Bruce told McClean that he was "one for the future" and that he would not be in the reserve team until Christmas. In a 4–3 victory over Newcastle United's Tyne–Wear derby rivals Newcastle United, his progress in the development squad was capped by a reserve-debut goal, earning him a spot in the Sunderland bench. Despite never playing under Bruce, he made his first appearance for the first team in Martin O'Neill's first game in charge on December 11th, a 2–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers, and was credited for the comeback, which saw his side overcome a 1–0 deficit after coming on as a replacement for Jack Colback in the second half.

McClean made his debut for Sunderland in January 2012, defeating Wigan Athletic 1-0 for the second day in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, scoring and supporting Sebastian Larsson. McClean was responsible for Stéphane Sessègnon's opening goal in Sunderland's 2–0 victory over Swansea City on January 21 and gained another assist in the equalizing goal against Middlesbrough on Monday. Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray used McClean as an example for young players to follow ahead of the replay. McClean turned provider once more in Sunderland's 3–0 victory over Norwich City, who also assisted Sessègnon's goal, before scoring the only goal in a victory over Stoke City on February 4th in snowy weather at the Britannia Stadium. After Per Mertesacker sustained himself in Sunderland's 2–1 home loss to Arsenal a week later, he opened the scoring. Sunderland revealed on March 23 that McClean had signed a new deal that would require him to stay at the club until the summer of 2015. He aided the Saints Park Rangers in their 3–1 win over relegation-thashed Queens Park Rangers, assuaging Nicklas Bendtner's first goal and then scoring by himself. At the end of the 2011–12 season, McClean was named Young Player of the Year at Sunderland's Young Player of the Year Award.

McClean scored his first two goals of the 2012-13 season in the second round of the League Cup against Morecambe in August 2012. He also scored in the third round as a result of Milton Keynes Dons' scoring in the 82nd minute. In a 3–0 home loss to Reading on December 11, he scored his first Premier League goal of the season, just 12 months to the day when he made his Sunderland debut. McClean's defection in August 2013 after refusing to wear a poppy, which resulted in his dismissal. 'hung out to dry,' by Sunderland, who was speaking in 2015.

On August 8, 2013, McClean signed for Wigan Athletic in a three-year contract. He made his 2013 FA Community Shield debut at Wembley Stadium, starting with a 2–0 loss to Manchester United.

In the FA Cup fourth round victory over Crystal Palace on January 26, 2014, he scored his first goal for Wigan. He had scored against Sheffield on December 18th but the game was called off due to heavy rain and his goal was struck off the records; it was the only goal of the game by the 59th minute, which was called off. McClean played in 49 games from 2013 to 2014, scoring four goals as Wigan advanced to the Championship play-offs, losing 21-0 to Queens Park Rangers. The Latics' 2014–15 season was a sad one for them as they finished in 23rd position and were relegated to League One.

McClean turned down a move to the New York Red Bulls on June 22, 2015, after signing a three-year contract for West Bromwich Albion, which is expected to be around £1.5 million. When the British national anthem "God Save the Queen" was played against the Charleston Battery in July, he turned his back on the Flag of England, resulting in a verbal warning from manager Tony Pulis.

West Brom's season began against Manchester City at The Hawthorns on August 10th, his competitive debut on August 10th. When he touched the ball, Booed by his team's own supporters, he was sent by Claudio Yacob at halftime, his team losing 3–0. On October 17th, after a 1–0 home victory over his former team Sunderland, he taunted the visiting fans, sparking confrontations between the two groups of players; the FA had warned him of his behavior. In a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, he scored his first goal for the Baggies on December 5th, a 39th-minute headed equalizer. He was dismissed in the first half of a 2–1 home loss to Bournemouth because of a challenge to Adam Smith; teammate Salomón Rondón was also suspended in additional time. In 2015–16, he appeared in 42 games as West Brom finished in 14th place.

In the EFL Cup against Northampton Town, he scored his first goal of the 2016-17 season. In a 4-2 victory over West Ham United on September 17, 2016, his first league goal of the season was achieved. He was granted an extended contract extension until 2019, with the possibility of a further year. "James greatly deserves this and has worked really hard to achieve it," Tony Pulis said. In a 3–1 victory on December 3, he enraged Watford captain Troy Deeney with his tackling. As the Baggies finished in tenth, he appeared 42 times. West Brom's 2017-18 season was an unsettling one, with four bosses Tony Pulis, Gary Megson, Alan Pardew, and Darren Moore. Albion was rock bottom of the Premier League for nearly all season, and the team was kicked out of the Premier League at a late date, with a late revival.

McClean joined Stoke City in July 2018 on a four-year deal for a £5 million fee. McClean made his Stoke debut against Leeds United on August 5, 2018. Stoke beat Hull City 2–0 on August 25, 2018, he scored his first goal for the team. McClean suffered a broken arm whilst on international service with Ireland in September 2018. As Stoke finished in 16th place, McClean played 45 times in 2018-19-19, scoring three goals. McClean began the 2019–20 season as Nathan Jones attempted to make his preferred diamond formation. Stoke had a rough start to the season by struggling to win any of their first ten games, and Jones was introduced by Michael O'Neill in November, who played McClean in his natural left-wing role. McClean was a key player under O'Neill, and his form helped the team pick up results to move out of the relegation zone. Stoke skipped relegation and finished in 15th place as he finished his campaign with seven goals from 37 appearances. He was voted Player of the Year by supporters at the end of the season.

McClean made 29 appearances in the 2020-21 season, scoring two goals as Stoke finished in 14th place. McClean had disciplinary issues throughout the season after going to a gym during lockout, which was in violation of Covid-19 legislation. Despite recovering from a foot injury, O'Neill angered O'Neill in March 2021.

McClean rejoined Wigan Athletic on a one-year deal on August 17, 2021. McClean said he turned down Bolton Wanderers in order to sign for Wigan, but Bolton's boss Ian Evatt denied it, and McClean's agent called Bolton daily for three weeks, begging Bolton to give him a contract. He scored twice in a 4–0 victory over Bolton on October 16th, with the game virtually ending after Bolton fans throwing bottles and other things at him, as Wigan fans ripped down advertisement boards, with the match taking longer than ten minutes as police dealt with the situation. McClean, who was proclaimed Champions, has signed a new one-year contract extension, which will take place at the end of the 2021–22 season. In a 1–1 draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road on August 6, 2022, his first goal of the new season came on.

International career

McClean had worked with Northern Ireland at a variety of junior levels, but he ultimately chose to represent the Republic of Ireland at the senior level.

McClean was a member of Northern Ireland's 2008 Milk Cup team and scored in the first round against the United States in a 3–1 victory. He has also represented Northern Ireland seven times at Under-21 level. On the 26th of July 2011, he was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the match against the Faroe Islands. McClean opted to wait for selection by the Republic of Ireland, and as a result, he was forced to leave the Northern Ireland squad. Although Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill had been in touch with him in January 2012, he reiterated that he would not be reconsidering his decision.

With McClean's winning goal at Stoke, there have been increasing calls for Giovanni Trapattoni to select him for the Republic of Ireland, with Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill stating that even if it isn't Trapattoni. They weren't going to be impressed." McClean was granted international permission to play for the Republic of Ireland on February 9th. However, he was not included in the squad for the match against the Czech Republic, which was declared the next day, but the FA Cup Fifth Round Proper was announced on February 20.

Aiden McGeady's 78th minute was McClean's international debut in a friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium on February 29, 2012. McClean was named in the Irish UEFA Euro 2012 squad on May 7, 2012, according to manager Giovanni Trattoni. Using Twitter, he was first branded axtarian and murderer. "You're looking around as a Catholic and hearing all the Union Jacks and listening to the supporters' songs, and I don't feel at home at all," McClean was quoted as saying. McClean made his first international appearance against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last home friendly match before UEFA Euro 2012, playing on the left flank.

McClean was left on the bench during Ireland's first UEFA Euro 2012 match in Poland, losing 31-0 to Croatia on June 10, 2012; he was standing on the bench. Trattoni, Ireland's manager, warned that McClean would not be included in the match against world champions Spain two days before Ireland's next match on June 14th. Trattoni's time has come, "His time will come," Tratoni said after much public pressure for Tratoni to restore Ireland's progress in the European Championship. However, McClean appeared in the 76th minute in Gda, Poland, on June 14, 2012, as a replacement against Spain.

McClean attacked Trapattoni on September 7, 2012, after being left on the bench during Ireland's 2–1 victory over Kazakhstan in a World Cup 2014 qualifier. The tweet and McClean's account were subsequently deleted, and the winger was compelled to apologize to colleagues.

McClean scored his first international goal in Ireland's 5–1 loss to Portugal in the MetLife Stadium on June 11, 2014, during Ireland's US tour. McClean scored a brace in a 7–0 victory over Gibraltar on October 11th, his first appearance of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar.

He scored his first career penalty in Ireland on March 29, 2016, helping Ireland to a 2–2 draw in a friendly against Slovakia. In 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, he scored the Irish tally of a victory away from Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium, putting the Irish team in playoffs.

After playing a complete game against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on November 16, 2019, the Football Association of Ireland reported that McClean had tested positive for COVID-19. Matt Doherty's good news was also included in the press.

In a UEFA Nations League match at the LKS Stadium in Poland on June 14, 2022, in his 94th cap for Ireland, he captained his country for the first time.

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