Séamus Coleman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Séamus Coleman

Coleman in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Séamus Coleman
Date of birth	(1988-10-11) 11 October 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Killybegs, Ireland
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Right-back
Team information
Current team	Everton
Number	23
Youth career
	St Catherine's
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2009	Sligo Rovers	56	(1)
2009–	Everton	369	(22)
2010	→ Blackpool (loan)	9	(1)
International career‡
2007–2010	Republic of Ireland U21	13	(1)
2011–	Republic of Ireland	73	(1)
Managerial career
2025	Everton (interim)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:15, 18 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:41, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Séamus Coleman (born 11 October 1988) is an Irish professional footballer. He plays as a right-back and is the captain for both Everton and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Séamus first played Gaelic football before starting his soccer career. He began with St Catherine's in Killybegs. In 2006, he joined Sligo Rovers in Ireland. He then moved to England in January 2009 to play for Everton.

In 2010, he played on loan for Blackpool for half a season. He helped them win promotion to a higher league. After that, he returned to Everton and has played over 400 games for them.

Coleman has been a senior player for the Republic of Ireland since 2011. He has played over 70 games for his country. He won the 2011 Nations Cup and was named the FAI Under-21 International Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010. He was also captain for Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016 in games against Italy and France. He became the permanent Ireland captain in September 2016.

Early Life and Beginnings

Growing Up in Killybegs

Séamus Coleman grew up in Killybegs, a fishing town in County Donegal, Ireland. His family had a strong connection to sports. Two of his uncles played Gaelic football.

His parents are Henry and Máire Coleman. Séamus has two brothers, Francis and Stephen. He went to St Catherine's Vocational School in Killybegs. He finished his secondary education in 2006.

Playing Gaelic Football

Before playing soccer, Séamus was a Gaelic footballer. At 16, he played as a defender for his local club, Na Cealla Beaga. He also played for the Donegal county team at the under-16 level. He won the Buncrana Cup with them in 2004.

Club Career Journey

Starting with Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers first noticed Coleman when he played against them in a friendly match. He made his debut for Sligo Rovers in October 2006. This was against Derry City.

His coach at Sligo Rovers, Paul Cook, believed in him a lot. Coleman later said that Cook made him feel like the best player in the League. This belief helped him a lot. He scored his only goal for Sligo Rovers in May 2008. This helped them win 3–0 against Bray Wanderers.

Joining Everton Football Club

In January 2009, Everton signed Coleman for £60,000. This happened after a recommendation to Everton manager David Moyes. Before playing for Everton, Coleman had to have surgery.

He made his first appearance for Everton on 22 October 2009. This was in a Europa League game. Three days later, he played his first game at Goodison Park. This was a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. He was named Man of the Match in that game. He also helped Everton score two goals in a 2–2 draw.

Loan Spell at Blackpool

Coleman celebrating promotion with Blackpool in 2010

On 19 March 2010, Coleman joined Blackpool on loan. This was a temporary move to a team in the EFL Championship. He played his first game for them the next day. He scored his first goal for Blackpool in April.

His loan was extended until the end of the season. In May, he signed a new four-year contract with Everton. He played in Blackpool's play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Blackpool won this game 3–2 and were promoted.

Becoming a Key Player at Everton

Coleman returned to Everton for the next season. He quickly became a regular player on the right side of midfield. He scored his first goal for Everton in the League Cup in September 2010. He also scored his first Premier League goal against his former team, Blackpool, in November.

He signed another new contract with Everton a few months later. He was even nominated for the 2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Award. He scored four league goals that season.

Success and Recognition (2012–2016)

On 31 December 2012, Coleman signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Everton. The 2013–14 season was his best so far. He scored six league goals, more than in all his previous seasons combined.

In April, he was chosen for the PFA Team of the Year. He was also named Everton's Player of the Year by both fans and players. His manager, Roberto Martínez, called him one of the best full-backs in the world. Everton finished fifth in the league that season.

Coleman in action for Everton in 2015

In June 2014, Coleman signed another five-year contract. He scored his first goal in European competitions for Everton in September 2014. This was in a 4–1 win against Wolfsburg. He scored again in Europe in February 2015.

He scored his only goal of the 2015–16 season in a 3–0 win against Stoke City. In September 2016, he scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season. This was a great solo goal against Middlesbrough. He scored his second goal in November with a late header against Swansea City.

Injury and Return (2017–Present)

Coleman scored his first goal of 2017 in January. This was an 87th-minute winner against Crystal Palace.

In March 2017, while playing for Ireland, Coleman suffered a serious leg injury. He broke two bones in his right leg. This happened after a challenge from another player. It was expected he would not play again until 2018. During his recovery, he signed a new five-year contract with Everton.

He made his return to Everton on 31 January 2018. This was in a 2–1 win against Leicester City.

In August 2019, Coleman became the captain of Everton. This happened after Phil Jagielka left the club. On 15 December that year, he played his 300th game for Everton.

In July 2021, Coleman extended his contract with Everton until June 2023. He played his 400th game for the club on 13 February 2023. Six days later, he scored the only goal in a win against Leeds United. Despite another injury later in the 2022–23 season, Everton extended his contract for another year until June 2024. He played his first game of the 2023–24 season in December 2023.

In May 2024, Everton offered him a new one-year contract, which he signed. This extended his time at the club until June 2025. On 18 May 2025, Coleman captained Everton in their final game at Goodison Park. He had to leave the game early due to a small injury. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he left the field. On 27 June 2025, Everton announced he had signed another one-year deal.

International Career for Ireland

Youth and Early Senior Appearances

Séamus Coleman played for the Ireland under-21 and under-23 teams. He made his under-21 debut in 2007. In August 2010, he scored his first international goal in a 5–0 win against Estonia. He won the FAI Under-21 Player of the Year Award in both 2009 and 2010. He also captained the Ireland under-21 team in November 2010.

Coleman playing for the Republic of Ireland in 2013

He was first called up to the senior squad in October 2010. He made his full international debut in the 2011 Nations Cup against Wales in February 2011. Ireland won this game 3–0. Ireland went on to win the tournament.

In May 2013, Coleman was named Man of the Match against England at Wembley Stadium. He helped set up the first goal for Ireland. He captained Ireland for the first time on his 25th birthday in October 2013. This was in a World Cup qualifier against Germany.

Euro 2016 and Captaincy

In May 2016, Coleman was chosen for Ireland's squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He captained Ireland in their final group game against Italy. Ireland won 1–0, which meant they moved past the group stages for the first time in a European Championship. He also captained Ireland in their next match against France.

Coleman became the permanent Ireland captain in September 2016. This happened after Robbie Keane retired from international football. The next month, he scored his first senior international goal for Ireland. This was in a 1–0 win against Georgia in a World Cup qualifier.

Injury and Return to International Play

On 24 March 2017, Coleman suffered a broken leg during a World Cup qualifier against Wales. This was due to a dangerous tackle from another player. He received medical attention on the field and was taken to the hospital for surgery. Ireland's manager, Martin O'Neill, said it was a "huge blow" but believed Coleman would return to his best. Many footballers and sports stars sent messages of support to Coleman. The surgery was successful.

Coleman was called up to the Ireland squad again in March 2018. This was his first call-up since his injury.

Managerial Role

In January 2025, after Everton's manager left, Coleman became a joint interim manager for the team. He shared this role with Leighton Baines. Their only game in charge was a 2–0 win against Peterborough United in the FA Cup.

Playing Style and Leadership

In his best years, Coleman was known as a fast and very hard-working full-back. He had great energy and loved to join in attacks. This helped him score many goals. He was also good at keeping the ball. His former teammate, Ashley Williams, said Coleman was one of the best players he had ever played with.

Even though he is a quiet person, Coleman has always shown strong leadership. This helped him become captain of the Irish national team. He led the Ireland team in their last two games at Euro 2016. He became the permanent Ireland captain in September 2016. In August 2019, he also became the new captain for Everton. He leads by example and encourages his teammates to do their best.

Personal Life

Coleman supports the Donegal county football team in Gaelic football. He also still follows his local GAA team, Na Cealla Beaga. He attended their final game in 2013. He said he gets more nervous watching them play than his own games.

In June 2015, Séamus married his childhood sweetheart, Rachel Cunningham. They got married in Killybegs. They have two daughters, born in 2016 and 2018, and a son born in 2021.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances and Goals

As of match played 7 September 2024. Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Coleman goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	6 October 2016	Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland	40	Georgia	1–0	1–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Managerial Statistics

Awards and Achievements

Blackpool

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2010

Republic of Ireland

• Nations Cup: 2011

Individual Awards

• Donegal Sports Star Professional Sport Achievement Award: 2009
• FAI Under-21 International Player of the Year: 2009, 2010
• PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 Premier League
• Everton Player's Player of the Year: 2013–14
• Everton Supporter's Player of the Year: 2013–14

See also

In Spanish: Séamus Coleman para niños