Daniel Kearns (footballer)

Early career

Born in Belfast, Kearns began his grassroots career in the youth team of his local club St Oliver Plunkett. He joined the youth team of English side West Ham United in July 2007, having been the player of the tournament at the Ballymena International Tournament in 2006. He soon established himself in the under-18 team and went on to spend three years with the club from 2007 to 2010.

Dundalk

After being released by West Ham in May 2010, Kearns signed for Dundalk of the League of Ireland Premier Division in August on a short-term contract. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with University College Dublin, before going on to make 12 appearances in his first season. Kearns scored his first competitive goals for Dundalk with a hat-trick against Linfield in the Setanta Sports Cup on 14 February 2011. Kearns played in Dundalk's seven games in their run to the Setanta Sports Cup Final, where the side lost 2–0 to Shamrock Rovers.

Peterborough United

On 30 August 2011 he signed a three-year deal with English Championship club Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for Peterborough on 24 September 2011, in a 1–0 defeat against his former club, West Ham United, coming on as an 89th minute substitute for Lee Frecklington. He made his first start for Peterborough on 17 December 2011 in a 1–0 victory at home to Coventry City and was named man of the match, also playing a part in the buildup to the goal when laid the ball off to Paul Taylor, who assisted with Emile Sinclair's goal. He finished his first season at Peterborough with 21 appearances.

Kearns signed for League Two side York City on a one-month loan on 4 October 2012, making his debut on 6 October as a 66th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw at home to Rotherham United. On 1 November 2012, the loan was extended for another two months. However, he was recalled by Peterborough on 29 November 2012, after making 12 appearances for York. In January, it was confirmed that Bradford City, along with Rotherham and York were interested in signing Kearns. He signed for League Two Rotherham on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season on 9 January 2013, making his debut on 13 January as a 51st-minute substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Barnet. He made 10 appearances for Rotherham as they finished the season as League Two runners-up, earning automatic promotion to League One.

Kearns signed for League Two team Chesterfield on a one-month loan on 11 March 2014 and made his debut that day as a 66th-minute substitute for Jimmy Ryan in a 1–1 draw away to AFC Wimbledon. On 14 April 2014, his loan was extended until the end of the 2013–14 season. He made 10 appearances as Chesterfield won the League Two title and thus League One promotion.

Kearns was one of five players released by Peterborough at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Carlisle United

He signed a two-year deal with newly relegated League Two club Carlisle United on 11 July 2014. He was released from the club on 1 September 2015.

Glenavon

Kearns currently plays for NIFL Premiership side Glenavon who he signed for on 17 October 2015. He was previously in the advanced stages of talks with another NIFL Premiership club Linfield after leaving Carlisle, but Linfield were unable to complete the deal.

International career

Kearns represented Northern Ireland in a series of European U17 Championship qualifiers in March 2008. However, in 2010 he switched allegiances to the Republic of Ireland, going on to represent them at under-19, under-21 and under-23 levels. The IFA contested the player's decision to switch national allegiances. He was capped once by the League of Ireland XI, playing in their 5–0 defeat to Celtic at the Aviva Stadium on 31 July 2011.

Career statistics

Honours

Rotherham United

Chesterfield