Product Code Database
James Joseph McClean (born 22 April 1989) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Wrexham.
McClean began his career with Trojans, Institute, and Derry City of his hometown. He signed for Sunderland in England's Premier League in 2011 and moved to Wigan Athletic in August 2013. He spent two seasons at Wigan, claiming their player of the year award in the latter, and then returned to the Premier League by joining West Bromwich Albion in June 2015. McClean spent three season with the Baggies before joining Stoke City in July 2018. McClean re-signed for Wigan Athletic in August 2021 and joined Wrexham two years later.
McClean was born and brought up in Derry and played for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, but declined a call-up to the senior squad because he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland. In February 2012, McClean received international clearance from FIFA which made him eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut against the Czech Republic in the same month. He made 103 appearances for the nation over the next 11 years, and represented them at the UEFA European Championship in 2012 and 2016.
In December 2009 McClean was one of the first four players to sign for the new Derry City, along with David McDaid, and the McEleney brothers — Shane McEleney and Patrick McEleney. McClean scored eight goals in 33 appearances in the 2010 season helping Derry return to the top-flight. McClean began to attract more interest from English clubs in the 2011 season with Peterborough United making some unsuccessful bids. He also attracted interest from Everton. In August 2011 Derry accepted an offer from Sunderland for McClean.
McClean made his first start for Sunderland in their 1–0 victory over Manchester City on 1 January 2012, and scored his first senior goal for the Black Cats in a 4–1 win against Wigan Athletic two days later; on 8 January, he scored and assisted Sebastian Larsson in a 2–0 win at Peterborough United in the third round of the FA Cup. McClean provided the assist for Stéphane Sessègnon's opening goal in Sunderland's 2–0 victory over Swansea City on 21 January, and got another assist in the equalising goal for Fraizer Campbell in the next round of the cup against Middlesbrough on 29 January. Ahead of the replay for that fixture, Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray used McClean as an example for young players to follow. McClean turned provider again in Sunderland's 3–0 victory over Norwich City, assisting Sessègnon's goal, then scored the only goal in a win over Stoke City on 4 February in snowy conditions at the Britannia Stadium. A week later, he opened the scoring in Sunderland's 2–1 home loss to Arsenal after Per Mertesacker injured himself. On 23 March, Sunderland announced that McClean had signed a new contract intended to force him to stay at the club until the summer of 2015. A day later, he helped them to a 3–1 victory over relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers by assisting the opening goal for Nicklas Bendtner and later scoring by himself. McClean won Sunderland's Young Player of the Year Award, at the end of the 2011–12 season.
In August 2012, McClean scored his first two goals of the 2012–13 in the second round of the EFL Cup against Morecambe. He also scored in the third round as well, scoring in the 82nd minute away at Milton Keynes Dons. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season in a 3–0 home defeat of Reading on 11 December, exactly twelve months to the day that he made his Sunderland debut. McClean fell out of favour with the Sunderland supporters after he refused to wear a poppy in the run-up to Remembrance Day, which led to his departure in August 2013. Speaking in 2015 McClean says he was 'hung out to dry' by Sunderland.
He scored his first goal for Wigan on 26 January 2014 in the FA Cup fourth round, a winner in a 2–1 victory against Crystal Palace. He had scored on 18 December against Sheffield Wednesday, but that match was abandoned in heavy rain and his goal was struck from the records; it was the only goal of the game by the 59th minute in which it was called off. McClean played in 49 matches in 2013–14, scoring four goals as Wigan reached the Championship play-offs where they lost 2–1 to Queens Park Rangers. In 2014–15, Wigan finished in 23rd place and were relegated to League One.
He made his competitive debut on 10 August as West Brom began the season against Manchester City at The Hawthorns. Booed by his team's own fans whenever he touched the ball, he was replaced by Claudio Yacob at half-time, as his team lost 3–0. On 17 October, after a 1–0 home win over his former team Sunderland, he taunted the visiting fans, leading to confrontations between both sets of players; he was given a warning by the FA over his conduct. He scored his first goal for the Baggies on 5 December, a 39th-minute headed equaliser in a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Two weeks later, he was sent off in the first half of a 2–1 home loss to Bournemouth for a challenge on Adam Smith; teammate Salomón Rondón was also dismissed in added time. He played in 42 matches in 2015–16 as West Brom finished in 14th position.
He scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season in the EFL Cup against Northampton Town. His first league goal of the season came in a 4–2 win over West Ham United on 17 September 2016. He was given an improved contract extension until 2019, with the option of a further year. Tony Pulis said: "James thoroughly deserves this and has worked hard to achieve it." He angered Watford captain Troy Deeney with his tackling in a 3–1 win on 3 December 2016. He played 42 times as the Baggies finished in 10th. The 2017–18 season was an unsettled one for West Brom as they went through four managers Tony Pulis, Gary Megson, Alan Pardew and Darren Moore. Albion were rock bottom of the Premier League nearly all season and despite a late resurgence they were relegated to the Championship.
In March 2020, McClean uploaded an Instagram post in which he said he was giving his children a history lesson, while wearing a balaclava, which some viewers believed to be in reference to the Irish Republican Army (IRA). McClean was fined two weeks' wages by Stoke, apologised, and agreed to delete his account. McClean said in 2023 that he regretted the upload.
In the 2020–21 season, McClean made 29 appearances, scoring two goals as Stoke finished in 14th position. During the season McClean had disciplinary problems as he breached COVID-19 protocols by going to a gym during lockdown. He also angered O'Neill in March 2021 after he played for Ireland despite recovering from a foot injury.
McClean was named club captain for Wrexham for the 2024–25 season. On 16 January 2025, in a 2–1 loss away to local rivals Shrewsbury Town, stewards made a human wall between home fans and McClean when he went to take a throw-in, and objects were launched in his direction. The English Football League began an investigation into the incidents, and several Shrewsbury fans were banned from the club and charged with criminal offences. McClean called the town of Shrewsbury a "cesspit full of inbreds" in online comments that he later deleted.
On 26 April 2025, he captained the side to promotion to the EFL Championship, after their 3–0 win at home to Charlton Athletic confirmed them as 2024–25 EFL League One runners-up to earn their third consecutive promotion.
On 8 August 2025, McClean extended his contract with the club until 2027.
McClean made his international debut on 29 February 2012, coming on in the 78th minute for Aiden McGeady in a friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium. On 7 May 2012, manager Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed that McClean was part of the Republic of Ireland UEFA Euro 2012 squad. He then received sectarian abuse and death threats via Twitter. McClean was quoted saying, "You are looking around as a Catholic and seeing all the Union Jacks and listening to the fans' songs and I just didn't feel at home at all." On 26 May 2012, McClean made his first senior international start against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final home friendly ahead of UEFA Euro 2012, playing on the left flank.
At UEFA Euro 2012 Poland, McClean was left on the bench for the first game, a 3–1 defeat to Croatia. Republic of Ireland manager Trapattoni hinted that McClean would not feature in the next game against world and European champions Spain. After much public urging for him to make use of McClean's talents to recover the Republic's progress in the European Championship, Trapattoni claimed that "His time would come in the future". McClean appeared as a substitute against Spain, coming on in the 76th minute in Gdańsk.
After being left on the bench during the Republic of Ireland's 2–1 victory over Kazakhstan in a World Cup 2014 qualifier on 7 September 2012, McClean used Twitter to criticise Trapattoni. The tweet, and McClean's account, were subsequently deleted and the winger was forced to apologise to teammates.
On 11 June 2014, McClean scored his first international goal in the 5–1 defeat by Portugal in the MetLife Stadium during the Republic's US tour. He made his first appearance of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign on 11 October against Gibraltar, scoring a brace in a 7–0 win in the Aviva Stadium.
McClean scored his first ever professional penalty on 29 March 2016, helping Ireland to a 2–2 draw in a friendly against Slovakia. On 9 October 2017, he scored the only goal of a win away to Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, putting the Irish into the playoffs.
On 16 November 2020, the Football Association of Ireland announced that McClean had tested positive for COVID-19 after playing a full game against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium. The announcement also included Matt Doherty's positive result.
On 14 June 2022, on his 94th cap for the Republic of Ireland, he captained his country for the first time, in a 1–1 draw with Ukraine in a UEFA Nations League game at the LKS Stadium in Poland. On 19 June 2023, McClean became the 7th player to make 100 international appearances for the Republic of Ireland in a 3–0 home win against Gibraltar in the Euro 2024 qualification.
In October 2023, McClean announced he would retire from the national team following the match against New Zealand on 21 November.
In 2013, McClean, then of Sunderland, attracted criticism when he wrote a tweet naming "The Broad Black Brimmer" as his favourite song by the Irish rebel band the Wolfe Tones. The song is associated with physical force Irish republicanism. As a result of his tweet, his club manager, Martin O'Neill, advised him to stop using Twitter.
Since his move to English football in 2012, McClean and his family have received anti-Irish abuse, both in person and on social media.
In November 2018, Chris McGimpsey, a Belfast City Council member from the Ulster Unionist Party, referred to McClean as a "super Provo" during a debate on BBC Radio Ulster; the epithet refers to supporters of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. McGimpsey apologised to McClean, admitted what he said was false, and agreed to pay damages in March 2019. In September 2019, the High Court of Northern Ireland ordered McGimpsey to pay McClean £63,000 in damages and legal costs.
McClean states his objection derives from his affinity with Derry and to the role of the British Army in the Troubles. He grew up on the Creggan estate, where six of the men shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 came from. He stated he would wear the poppy if it were restricted to honouring only soldiers who died in the World Wars, many of whom, particularly during World War I, were Irish, and has insisted his position is one of peace, and not any kind of wider political, religious or anti-British point. "Why James McClean doesn't wear poppy", independent.co.uk; accessed 21 March 2020. The Legion opposes compelling people to wear the poppy, seeing such a stance as going against everything the poppy symbolises.
For his stances, McClean has been booed by supporters of opposition clubs as well as some of his own club's supporters. After the first refusal, McClean was subjected to sectarian abuse and Ulster loyalism threats, including .
Various players, such as David Meyler and Jamie Devitt (both Irish citizens) and managers (including Trapattoni), have voiced support for his decision as a personal issue of conscience. The first instance occurred on 10 November 2012, with McClean wearing a plain Sunderland shirt during their match against Everton. McClean donated his unadorned shirt, signed, to a charity auction in aid of a Dublin-based children's charity.
Wigan Athletic
Wrexham
Individual
Return to Wigan Athletic
On 17 August 2021 McClean re-joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract. McClean claimed he turned down Bolton Wanderers in order to sign for Wigan. However, Bolton Manager Ian Evatt stated this was false; Bolton had no interest in signing McClean, and McClean's agent had rung daily for three weeks begging Bolton to give him a contract. On 16 October he scored twice in a 4–0 win against Bolton with the match nearly being abandoned after he scored when Bolton fans threw bottles and other objects at him, followed by Wigan fans ripping down advertising boards, the match stopping for more than 10 minutes as police dealt with the situation. Having been promoted as Champions, McClean signed a new one-year contract extension at the end of the 2021–22 season. His first goal of the new season came on 6 August 2022, in a 1–1 draw away to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Wrexham
On 4 August 2023, it was announced that McClean had signed for EFL League Two side Wrexham for an undisclosed fee. McClean's first season with the club saw him make 44 appearances in all competitions, scoring 3 goals as his side were promoted to EFL League One following their second placed season. He signed a new contract with Wrexham to the end of the 2025–26 season.
International career
McClean had represented Northern Ireland at a number of junior levels, but ultimately opted to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
Northern Ireland
McClean was part of the Northern Ireland team that won the 2008 Milk Cup and scored in the opening game in a 3–1 win against the US. He has also represented Northern Ireland seven times at Under 21 level. On 26 July 2011 he was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for the match against the Faroe Islands on 10 August 2011. McClean decided to wait for selection by the Republic of Ireland and therefore pulled out of the Northern Ireland squad. In January 2012 he again confirmed he would not be reconsidering his decision although Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill had been in contact with him.
Republic of Ireland
McClean's success in the Premier League saw increasing calls for Giovanni Trapattoni to select him for the Republic of Ireland, with Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill saying after McClean's winning goal at Stoke: "I think he's more than capable of going to Euro 2012 ... Hopefully he's making such an impact he'll be watched by someone in the Ireland camp, even if it's not Trapattoni. They couldn't fail to be impressed." McClean received international clearance to play for the Republic of Ireland on 9 February. However, he was not included in the squad for the match against the Czech Republic which was announced the next day, though he was added to the squad on 20 February after success against Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round proper.
Personal life
He is the older brother of fellow professional footballer Patrick McClean. McClean began a relationship with Erin Connor in 2010. They married in 2016, in their hometown of Derry. As of February 2023, they have three daughters and a son. One of McClean's daughters has Autism spectrum and McClean revealed in a social media post that he had also been diagnosed with autism. He highlighted in his statement that he went public with the diagnosis in order to support his daughter during World Autism Acceptance Week.
Remembrance poppy controversy
Since his Premier League breakthrough in 2012, McClean has been both condemned and supported for his ongoing refusal to wear football shirts bearing the symbol of the remembrance poppy when playing games on or around Remembrance Day (11 November) or Remembrance Sunday (the nearest Sunday), leading to his being named by the BBC in 2015 as the main example for one of the "Five reasons people don't wear poppies". The special shirts, usually auctioned, are part of the annual Poppy Appeal organised by the Royal British Legion, with all Premier League club shirts displaying poppies in various forms since 2010. Footballers wearing the poppy, theguardian.com; accessed 21 March 2020.
Philanthropy
McClean has made a number of charitable donations. He made a significant donation to homeless people at the Wells and Foyle Valley House in Derry. He donated £1,500 for a custom hand cycle bike to help a child who had spina bifida. He made another significant donation to the Wells facility in the Bogside, for up to 24 men who have alcohol problems. He paid £1,750 for a new mobile home after hearing about a pregnant homeless woman's struggles on social media. He donated £1,000 to help pay for specialist proton therapy in Florida for a four-year-old child with cancer. He donated €1,200 to help pay for the funeral of a two-year-old boy who was struck by a car. In December 2016 he set up a new clothing line with proceeds going to help homeless residents of his native Derry. He donated £500 to an online fund set up to support the family of a missing Derry man.
Career statistics
Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Institute 2007–08 NIFL Premiership 0 Derry City 2008 LOI Premier Division 1 2009 LOI Premier Division 1 2010 LOI First Division 8 2011 LOI Premier Division 8 Sunderland 2011–12 Premier League 6 2012–13 Premier League 5 Wigan Athletic 2013–14 EFL Championship 4 2014–15 Championship 6 West Bromwich Albion 2015–16 Premier League 2 2016–17 Premier League 2 2017–18 Premier League 1 Stoke City 2018–19 Championship 3 2019–20 Championship 7 2020–21 Championship 2 Wigan Athletic 2021–22 League One 10 2022–23 Championship 3 Wrexham 2023–24 League Two 4 2024–25 League One 4
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and year Republic of Ireland 0 0 4 0 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
+ List of international goals scored by James McClean Friendly UEFA Euro 2016 qualification 6–0 Friendly Friendly 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Friendly 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Friendly
Honours
Derry City
See also
External links
Categories: 1989 Births, Living People, Association Footballers From Derry, Men's Association Footballers From Northern Ireland, 21st-century Sportsmen From Northern Ireland, Republic Of Ireland Men's Association Footballers, Men's Association Football Wingers, Institute F.c. Players, Derry City F.c. Players, Sunderland A.f.c. Players, Wigan Athletic F.c. Players, West Bromwich Albion F.c. Players, Stoke City F.c. Players, Wrexham A.f.c. Players, Nifl Premiership Players, League Of Ireland Players, League Of Ireland Xi Players, Premier League Players, English Football League Players, Northern Ireland Men's Under-21 International Footballers, Republic Of Ireland Men's International Footballers, Uefa Euro 2012 Players, Uefa Euro 2016 Players, Fifa Men's Century Club, Autistic Sportspeople, Autistic People From Northern Ireland, RtÉ Sports Person Of The Year Winners
|
|
