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
Playing position	Right-back
Club information
Current club	Everton
Number	23
Youth career
	St Catherine's
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2009	Sligo Rovers	56	(1)
2009–	Everton	367	(22)
2010	→ Blackpool (loan)	9	(1)
National team‡
2007–2010	Republic of Ireland U21	13	(1)
2011–	Republic of Ireland	73	(1)
Teams managed
2025	Everton (interim)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:18, 26 December 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ 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 for Everton. He is also the captain for both Everton and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Séamus started his sports journey playing Gaelic football. He then switched to association football with St Catherine's in Killybegs. In 2006, he joined League of Ireland team Sligo Rovers. He moved to England in January 2009 to play for Everton.

In 2010, he played for Blackpool on loan for half a season. He helped them get promoted to a higher league. After returning to Everton, he has played over 400 games for the club.

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

Early Life and First Steps in Football

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.

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

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

Club Career Highlights

Starting with Sligo Rovers

Séamus was first noticed by Sligo Rovers during a friendly match. He was playing for his hometown club, St Catherine's. He made his first League of Ireland appearance in October 2006. This was against Derry City.

At first, a coach at Sligo Rovers didn't think much of him. But then, Paul Cook became the new coach. Séamus later said Cook made him feel like the best player. This belief helped him a lot. He scored his only goal for Sligo against Bray Wanderers in May 2008.

Joining Everton Football Club

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

He made his first appearance for Everton on 22 October 2009. This was in a Europa League game against Benfica. Three days later, he played his first game at Goodison Park. This was a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. He was named the best player of the match. He also made his FA Cup debut in January 2010.

Coleman celebrating promotion with Blackpool in 2010

Loan Spell at Blackpool

On 19 March 2010, Coleman joined Championship club Blackpool on loan. He made his debut the next day. He scored his first goal for Blackpool on 2 April. His loan was then extended until the end of the season.

On 19 May, he signed a new four-year contract with Everton. He played in Blackpool's play-off final at Wembley Stadium. Blackpool won the game 3-2.

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 on 21 September 2010. This was in a League Cup match against Brentford. He scored his first Premier League goal against his former team Blackpool on 6 November.

Two months later, he signed a new contract. He was also nominated for the 2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Award. He scored four league goals that season.

Coleman in action for Everton in 2015

On 31 December 2012, Coleman signed another long-term contract with Everton. The 2013–14 season was his best so far. He scored six league goals. In April, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year. He also won Everton's Player of the Year awards. His manager, Roberto Martínez, called him one of the best full-backs in the world.

On 26 June 2014, Coleman signed a new five-year contract. He scored his first goal in European football for Everton on 18 September 2014. This was in a 4-1 win over Wolfsburg. He scored again in Europe on 19 February 2015.

Coleman scored his only goal of the 2015–16 season on 6 February 2016. This was in a 3-0 win against Stoke City. He scored his first goal of the 2016–17 season on 17 September. He scored his second goal on 19 November.

Injury and Return

Coleman's first goal of 2017 came on 21 January. He scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. In March 2017, Séamus suffered a serious leg injury while playing for Ireland. He broke two bones in his right leg. He was expected to be out of action until 2018.

During his recovery, Coleman signed a new five-year contract. He made his return to Everton on 31 January 2018. This was in a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Everton Captaincy

Coleman became Everton club captain in August 2019. This happened after Phil Jagielka left the club. On 15 December that year, he played his 300th game for Everton. This was in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

On 28 July 2021, Coleman signed a contract extension. He played his 400th game for the club on 12 February 2023. Six days later, he scored the only goal in a win against Leeds United. Despite another injury in 2023, Everton extended his contract for another year. He made his first appearance of the 2023–24 season on 9 December 2023.

On 17 May 2024, the club announced he had been offered a new contract. Coleman signed this contract, keeping him at Everton until June 2025.

International Career for Ireland

Coleman playing for the Republic of Ireland in 2013

Séamus played for the Ireland under-21 team. He made his debut for them in 2007. On 10 August 2010, he scored his first international goal for the under-21 team. He also won the FAI Under 21 Player of the Year Award in 2009 and 2010.

Playing for the Senior Team

Coleman was first called up to the senior squad in October 2010. He made his full international debut on 8 February 2011. This was in a match against Wales. Ireland won the game 3-0. The Republic of Ireland also won the 2011 Nations Cup tournament.

On 29 May 2013, Coleman was named Man of the Match. This was for his performance against England. He helped set up the first goal of the game.

Coleman captained Ireland for the first time on 11 October 2013. This was in a World Cup qualifier against Germany. It was also his 25th birthday.

On 31 May 2016, Coleman was chosen for the Euro 2016 squad. He captained Ireland in their win over Italy. This win helped the team get past the group stages. He also captained Ireland against France in the next round.

Coleman became the permanent Ireland captain in September 2016. The next month, he scored his first senior international goal for Ireland. This was in a 1-0 win over Georgia.

On 24 March 2017, Coleman suffered a broken leg. This happened during a World Cup qualifier against Wales. He received treatment on the field and was taken to the hospital. Ireland's manager said it was a "huge blow" but believed Séamus would return strong. Many footballers and celebrities sent messages of support to Coleman.

His first call-up since the injury came in March 2018. This was for a match against Turkey.

Managerial Role

After Everton's manager Sean Dyche left in January 2025, Coleman became the club's interim manager. He shared this role with Leighton Baines.

How He Plays

Coleman running with the ball in a September 2013 World Cup qualifier against Austria.

In his best years, Coleman was a fast and very hard-working full-back. He had amazing energy and loved to join in attacks. This helped him score many goals. He used to play as a winger before becoming a right-back. Coleman was also very calm when he had the ball. His former teammate, Ashley Williams, said he was one of the best players he had ever played with.

Even though he is a quiet person, Coleman has always shown great leadership. This helped him become the captain of the Irish national team. He led the Ireland team in their last two matches at Euro 2016. He received a lot of praise for his leadership. He officially became Ireland captain in September 2016. In August 2019, he also became the new Everton captain.

Personal Life

Séamus Coleman supports the Donegal county football team in Gaelic football. He also still follows his local Gaelic football team, Na Cealla Beaga. He has said he gets more nervous watching them play than his own games.

I'd be more nervous watching the [Gaelic football] lads than I would be watching my own games… When it's Killybegs playing, it means a bit more. It's something I was a big part of growing up, I played with all them lads.

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

Career Statistics

Club

International

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

Honours and Awards

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