Jonny Evans facts for kids
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Evans playing for Northern Ireland in 2019
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jonathan Grant Evans | ||
| Date of birth | 3 January 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2004–2006 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2015 | Manchester United | 131 | (4) |
| 2006 | → Royal Antwerp (loan) | 11 | (2) |
| 2006–2007 | → Sunderland (loan) | 18 | (1) |
| 2008 | → Sunderland (loan) | 15 | (0) |
| 2015–2018 | West Bromwich Albion | 89 | (5) |
| 2018–2023 | Leicester City | 121 | (5) |
| 2023–2025 | Manchester United | 30 | (0) |
| Total | 415 | (17) | |
| International career | |||
| Northern Ireland U16 | 6 | (0) | |
| 2004–2005 | Northern Ireland U17 | 8 | (1) |
| 2006 | Northern Ireland U21 | 3 | (0) |
| 2006–2024 | Northern Ireland | 107 | (6) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Jonathan Grant Evans (born 3 January 1988), known as Jonny Evans, is a former professional footballer from Northern Ireland. He played as a centre-back, which is a defensive position. After retiring from playing in May 2025, he started working for Manchester United as the head of loans and pathways.
Jonny Evans began his football journey at Manchester United's youth academy. He gained experience by playing on loan for Royal Antwerp and Sunderland. He made his first team debut for Manchester United in 2007. He played nearly 200 matches for the club and won 11 trophies, including three Premier League titles.
Later, he moved to West Bromwich Albion in 2015. After three years, he joined Leicester City, where he won the FA Cup in 2021. He became Leicester City's captain in 2022. In 2023, he returned to Manchester United for two more seasons, winning another FA Cup in 2024. He announced his retirement from professional football in May 2025.
Evans is one of the most successful players in Northern Irish football history. He played over 100 matches for the Northern Ireland national team. He was a key player when the team reached the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2016. He also served as captain for his country before retiring from international football in 2024.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting at Manchester United
Jonny Evans was discovered while playing for Greenisland. This was the same club where his younger brother Corry and Craig Cathcart also played before joining Manchester United. When he was nine, he was invited to train at Manchester United's Centre of Excellence in Belfast. A year later, he had a trial in Manchester.
Rules at the time meant clubs could only sign players living close by. However, his family moved to Manchester, allowing him to train full-time. He moved up through Manchester United's youth teams. He even played in some friendly matches and tournaments in 2006.
Loan Spells for Experience
In 2006, Evans and other young players like Darron Gibson and Danny Simpson went on loan to Royal Antwerp in Belgium. This was Manchester United's partner club.
In December 2006, he joined Sunderland on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season. He helped Sunderland win the Championship title. He also won the club's Youth Player of the Year award. Sunderland's manager, Roy Keane, wanted him back, but Manchester United decided to keep him.
Evans did return to Sunderland for another loan spell in January 2008. He played 15 league games and helped Sunderland stay in the Premier League.
Making His Mark at United
Jonny Evans made his first team debut for Manchester United on 26 September 2007. This was in a League Cup match against Coventry City. He later played in a UEFA Champions League game in November 2007. He made his first Champions League start in December 2007 against Roma.
His league debut for United was on 21 September 2008 against Chelsea. He filled in for the suspended Nemanja Vidić. In December 2008, Evans played in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, including the final. He continued to play regularly throughout the season, including in the League Cup final.
In the 2010–11 season, Evans became a regular defender for United. He often played alongside Vidić when Rio Ferdinand was injured. On 19 March 2011, he was sent off for a tackle against Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden. Manchester United still won the game 1–0.
Before the 2011–12 season, Evans was given the number 6 shirt. On 14 August, he wore it for the first time in a 2–1 win against West Bromwich Albion. On 23 October, he was sent off in a big 6–1 loss to Manchester City. He made his 100th appearance for United on 30 November. On 18 March 2012, he scored his first goal for United in a 5–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After recovering from an ankle injury, Evans scored his second goal for the club on 7 October 2012. This was in a 3–0 win against Newcastle United. On 23 October, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal at Old Trafford. This was the equalizer in a 3–2 win over Braga. He scored again on 24 November 2012 against Queens Park Rangers. On 21 December 2012, Evans signed a new contract with United until June 2016. He scored his third league goal of the season on Boxing Day in a 4–3 win against Newcastle.
In March 2015, there was an incident during a game where Papiss Cissé and Evans were involved in a spitting exchange. Both players were later banned by the FA. Evans was banned for six games.
Time at West Bromwich Albion
Jonny Evans joined West Bromwich Albion on 29 August 2015. He made his debut on 12 September 2015 in a 0–0 draw against Southampton. On 2 January 2016, he scored his first goal for West Brom in a 2–1 win over Stoke City. At the end of his first season, he received the Players' Player of the Season award.
He scored again on 3 December 2016 in a 3–1 win over Watford. His next goal came in a 2–1 loss against Swansea on the final game of the season.
In July 2017, Evans became the permanent captain of West Brom. He scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season on 30 September 2017 against Watford. His second goal was against Brighton on 13 January 2018. This goal helped his team get their first league win in five months.
Playing for Leicester City
In June 2018, Leicester City signed Evans. He made his Leicester debut on 18 August 2018 in a 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his first goal for the club on 23 February 2019 in a 4–1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
On 12 July 2020, Evans played his 400th game in English football. Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Evans was made captain of Leicester City.
Return to Manchester United
After leaving Leicester City, Evans trained with Manchester United. On 18 July, it was announced he signed a short-term deal. On 1 September, he signed a one-year contract with the club. Two days later, he made his return debut against Arsenal.
On 23 September, he started his first game of the season against Burnley. He assisted the winning goal scored by Bruno Fernandes. This game also marked his 200th appearance for Manchester United.
Evans played in the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City. United won 2–1, meaning he had won every major trophy possible with the club. On 12 July 2024, Evans signed a new one-year contract. He played in the 2024 FA Community Shield, another Manchester derby.
On 19 December 2024, Evans scored his first goal since returning to Manchester United. This was in a 4–3 defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. In late May 2025, it was announced he would leave the club. On 30 May 2025, Evans played his last professional football match against Hong Kong. He then retired from professional football, having played over 600 games for club and country over 19 years. After retiring, he took on a role in Manchester United's youth development.
International Career
Jonny Evans was called up to the Northern Ireland national team in September 2006. He made his debut in a memorable 3–2 win over Spain. On 28 March 2009, he scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win against Poland.
On 28 May 2016, Evans was part of Northern Ireland's squad for UEFA Euro 2016. This was the first time Northern Ireland had reached the finals of this competition. The team made it to the last 16, where they lost 1–0 to Wales. Evans played in all four of Northern Ireland's games in the tournament.
His second international goal came on 4 September 2017. This was in a 2–0 win against the Czech Republic during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. Northern Ireland reached a playoff against Switzerland to try and qualify for the World Cup. They lost 1–0 in the first game due to a controversial penalty. A 0–0 draw in the second game meant Northern Ireland did not qualify.
Evans scored his third international goal against Belarus in the Euro 2020 qualification phase. On 27 September 2022, he played his 100th game for Northern Ireland. He became the fourth player to reach this milestone.
On 28 August 2024, after playing 107 games, Evans retired from international football.
Personal Life
Jonny Evans was born in Belfast. He went to Belfast High School before moving to Ashton-on-Mersey School in Manchester when he joined Manchester United. He achieved excellent grades in his school exams.
On 1 June 2013, Evans married Helen McConnell, a reporter for MUTV. They have three children.
In 2023, Evans was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This honor was for his contributions to football in Northern Ireland.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United | 2006–07 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | Premier League | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 30 | 4 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
| Total | 131 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 198 | 7 | ||
| Royal Antwerp (loan) | 2006–07 | Belgian Second Division | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | |||
| Sunderland (loan) | 2006–07 | Championship | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||
| 2007–08 | Premier League | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | |||
| Total | 33 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 1 | ||||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2015–16 | Premier League | 30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Premier League | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 2 | |||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 2 | |||
| Total | 89 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 96 | 5 | ||||
| Leicester City | 2018–19 | Premier League | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 46 | 2 | |||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 28 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
| Total | 121 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 152 | 7 | ||
| Manchester United | 2023–24 | Premier League | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 30 | 0 | |
| 2024–25 | Premier League | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| Total | 30 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 415 | 17 | 34 | 0 | 35 | 3 | 48 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 538 | 23 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 107 | 6 | |
- Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 March 2009 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland |  Poland |
2–1 | 3–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 4 September 2017 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland |  Czech Republic |
1–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3 | 24 March 2019 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland |  Belarus |
1–0 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |
| 4 | 14 October 2019 | Stadion Letná, Prague, Czech Republic | Czech Republic |
2–0 | 3–2 | Friendly |
| 5 | 12 June 2022 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland |  Cyprus |
2–2 | 2–2 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C |
| 6 | 7 September 2023 | Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia |  Slovenia |
2–3 | 2–4 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |
Honours and Awards
Team Achievements
Sunderland
- Football League Championship: 2006–07
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
- FA Cup: 2023–24
- Football League Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10
- FA Community Shield: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
- UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2024–25
Leicester City
- FA Cup: 2020–21
Special Recognition
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): 2023
See also
In Spanish: Jonny Evans para niños
- List of European association football families
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
