Leigh Kavanagh

Leigh Kavanagh
Personal information
Full name Leigh Robert Kavanagh
Date of birth (2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 (age 21)
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Bohemians
Number 20
Youth career
–2020 Bray Wanderers
2020–2024 Brighton & Hove Albion
2022–2023 Derby County (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020 Bray Wanderers 1 (0)
2023–2024 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2024– Bohemians 7 (0)
International career
2019 Republic of Ireland U17 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 January 2025

Leigh Robert Kavanagh (born 27 December 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bohemians. He has represented the Republic of Ireland U17 side in 2019.[1]

Career

Bray Wanderers

Kavanagh came through the academy at Bray Wanderers having previously played for their schoolboy feeder club St Joseph's Boys.[2] He featured for Bray in the League of Ireland First Division, prior to joining Brighton in July 2020.[3]

Brighton

During the 2020–21 season, Kavanagh suffered a tear on his miniscus while training for the Brighton youth team, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.[4] He signed his first professional contract with Brighton in July 2021.[5] The following season, he joined Derby County on a season-long loan.[6] In July 2023, he signed a new one-year contact with Brighton, with the option a further season.[7] In December 2023, he began to be included with the Brighton first-team squad, and was named as a match-day substitute in matches in the Premier League and the Europa League.[8][9]

Bohemians

He signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemians in July 2024.[10]

International career

He has been called up for the Republic of Ireland at youth level.[11]

References

  1. ^ "L.Kavanagh". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Joeys trio shine for DDSL". Dublin Gazette. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  3. ^ O'Donnell, Daniel (8 July 2020). "No Bray farewell for promising teen duo as Brighton deals confirmed". Independent.ie. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  4. ^ Naylor, Andy (3 November 2023). "Evan Ferguson is epitome of Brighton's Irish scouting – and won't be the last". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  5. ^ Dempsey, Andrew (27 July 2023). "Hugely-Talented Irish Teenagers Sign First Professional Contracts With Brighton". Balls.ie. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  6. ^ Mills, Richard (1 September 2022). "'A good opportunity' - Brighton youngster completes loan move to Derby County". Sussex Live. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  7. ^ Vegas, Paul (3 July 2023). "Brighton defender Leigh Kavanagh pens new deal". Yribal Football. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  8. ^ Donlon, Mark (5 December 2023). "TWO Irish teens make Brighton bench for Premier League clash with Chelsea". Extra.ie. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  9. ^ "BRIGHTON VS. MARSEILLES". Soccerway. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Bohemians sign Leigh Kavanagh from Brighton". Extra Time. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  11. ^ "O'BRIEN NAMES UNDER-17 SQUAD FOR QUALIFIERS IN CORK". fai.ie. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2023.