Darren Randolph

Darren Edward Andrew Randolph (born 12 May 1987) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth and the Republic of Ireland national team.

He has previously played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team.

Randolph has also represented Ireland at basketball.

Replacing loanee Scott Carson, who was ineligible to play against his parent club, Randolph performed well, limiting Liverpool to two goals, one of which was a penalty kick in the 90th minute for a 2–2 draw.

He joined Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2003 by virtue of the links between the Irish and English clubs.

When leaving Ardmore Rovers, the club placed Randolph in the Hall of Fame.

Having progressed through the youth ranks at Ardmore Rovers and Premier League club Charlton Athletic, Randolph turned professional in 2004 with Charlton.

As a youngster, Randolph spent a month on loan at Conference South club Welling United in 2004; he played four league matches and once in the FA Cup.

He spent the beginning of the 2005–06 season on loan at Accrington Stanley in the Conference National, and at the end of the season, signed an extension to his Charlton contract to run until 2009.

He spent time on loan at Welling United, Accrington Stanley and Gillingham before making his Charlton debut in the last match of the 2006–07 season.

In 2006, Randolph made ten appearances for the Republic of Ireland under-21 side, and a single appearance for the Republic of Ireland B team.

In August 2006 he joined League One Gillingham on a month's loan.

Randolph made his first-team debut for the already relegated Charlton in their last match of the 2006–07 Premier League season, away against Liverpool.

He was second-choice behind Nicky Weaver in 2007–08, and in February 2008, joined Bury of League Two on loan.

After featuring 14 times, Randolph was recalled by Charlton to cover for Weaver, who was sent off in a match against Plymouth Argyle.

He started Charlton's next match, at home to Southampton, and contributed to a farcical own goal when he appeared to catch a high ball, then dropped it into the net via teammate Paddy McCarthy.

Despite the club's relegation from the Premier League, he was unable to cement a regular starting position, and had two loan spells during 2008, at Bury and at Hereford United.

Randolph joined Hereford United on a season-long loan in July 2008.

He started 14 of the first 17 matches of the season, which included an "outstanding" performance against Leeds United at Elland Road, where he conceded only once from Leeds' 19 shots on target.

On 11 November 2008, it came to light that Randolph had refused to play in an FA Cup match against Dagenham & Redbridge, amid speculation that another goalkeeper would be joining Hereford.

He was fined two weeks' wages and it was announced he was unlikely to play for Hereford United again.

The following day, goalkeeper Matt Murray joined Hereford on a month's loan deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Graham Turner said in his Hereford Times column that it was a situation that he had never experienced before in nearly 30 years of management, it was not what he expected from a professional player, and had he been a contracted player, his contract would have been terminated forthwith.

In response, Randolph expressed his unhappiness with Turner's statement, and received support from Charlton manager Alan Pardew.

Randolph made no more appearances for Hereford, and returned to Charlton in January 2009.

In his second match back, on 17 January 2009, Randolph conceded four goals in a Championship match against Sheffield Wednesday.

This was to be his last appearance of the season.

Nevertheless, he was offered, and eventually signed, a one-year contract ahead of the 2009–10 season.

He was again second choice, this time behind Rob Elliot, and made his first appearance of the season in November, in the FA Cup against Northwich Victoria.

Despite "a string of stunning first half saves", the Conference North team won 1–0 to inflict what the local newspaper described as the "most embarrassing defeat in the club's 104-year history".

Having made just 20 appearances for Charlton in six years, he moved on to Scottish Premier League side Motherwell in July 2010.

He played regularly for Motherwell over three years, then returned to England to join Birmingham City, for whom he missed only one Championship match in two seasons.

Randolph regained his starting place in March 2010 after Elliot was injured, and kept it for the remainder of the season, including the play-offs, in which Charlton lost on penalties to Swindon Town in the semi-finals.

Although Charlton offered Randolph a new contract, he chose instead to join Scottish Premier League club Motherwell on 1 July 2010 on a free transfer.

He signed a three-year-contract at Fir Park.

Randolph made his Motherwell debut in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, in a 1–0 win over Icelandic side Breiðablik.

He made his full international debut for the Republic of Ireland in September 2012, in a 4–1 victory over Oman.

He signed for West Ham United in 2015 and Middlesbrough two years later.

He played for the nation at UEFA Euro 2016.

Randolph was born in Bray and played school football with Ardmore Rovers.