Séamus Coleman

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

Originally a Gaelic footballer, Coleman started his association football career with St Catherine's in Killybegs.

He also played for the Donegal county team at under-16 level, winning a Buncrana Cup in 2004.

Coleman was spotted by Sligo Rovers when he lined up against them in a friendly for his hometown club, St Catherine's.

He joined League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers in 2006 after impressing in a friendly against them.

He did his Leaving Certificate in 2006.

Coleman himself initially played Gaelic football, and, aged 16, played as a back on his local GAA team, Na Cealla Beaga.

He made his League of Ireland debut against Derry City at the Brandywell in October 2006 as a substitute for Adam Hughes.

Sligo Rovers coach Rob McDonald did not rate Coleman very highly as a player, telling him that he should join League of Ireland First Division club Finn Harps.

McDonald departed Sligo Rovers in March 2007, and was replaced by Paul Cook, of whom Coleman later said: "He made me feel like I was the best player in the League. It just makes such a difference when you have a manager who believes in you".

Coleman scored his only goal for Sligo against Bray Wanderers on 17 May 2008, concluding a 3–0 win.

He then made the move to England to sign for Everton in January 2009 for a £60,000 fee.

Following a recommendation by Willie McStay to former teammate and Everton manager David Moyes, Coleman was signed by the Merseyside club for £60,000 in January 2009, ahead of other interest from Ipswich Town, Birmingham City and Celtic.

Before playing a game for Everton, Coleman had to undergo surgery on a career-threatening infected blister.

He made his debut on 22 October 2009 in the Europa League group stage in a 5–0 loss to Benfica at the Estádio da Luz, being beaten to the ball by Javier Saviola for the first goal.

Three days later in his Goodison Park debut, a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, Coleman was named Man of the Match after coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Joseph Yobo, and played an instrumental part for both of Everton's goals in a 2–2 draw.

In 2010, he spent half a season on loan with Blackpool, helping them win promotion via the Championship play-offs, before returning to Everton where he has made over 400 appearances.

He made his FA Cup debut against Carlisle United in the third round on 2 January 2010, replacing Tony Hibbert in the 80th minute and creating a goal for Tim Cahill two minutes later, in a 3–1 home win.

On 19 March 2010, Coleman joined Championship club Blackpool on loan, initially for one month as a replacement for the injured Neal Eardley.

He made his debut the next day, in a 2–2 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

He scored his first goal for the Tangerines in a 4–2 win away to Scunthorpe United on 2 April.

Later that month, Coleman's loan was extended until the end of the season, while on 19 May he agreed a new four-year contract with Everton.

He played in Blackpool's play–off final at Wembley Stadium, which they won 3–2 against Cardiff City.

Coleman returned to Everton for the following season, breaking into the first team on the right of midfield.

He scored his first goal for Everton against Brentford in the League Cup third round on 21 September 2010.

He opened the scoring at Griffin Park in the sixth minute, but also gave away a penalty with a foul on Myles Weston, which Ján Mucha saved from Charlie MacDonald, although Brentford eventually won in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw.

Coleman has been a senior international for the Republic of Ireland since 2011, acquiring over 60 caps.

He won the 2011 Nations Cup and was awarded the FAI Under-21 International Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2010.

He scored his first Premier League goal against his former team Blackpool on 6 November to secure a 2–2 draw at Bloomfield Road, signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal two months later, and was nominated for the 2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Award.

He finished the season having scored four league goals, though was sent off in the final game of the season, a 1–0 win against Chelsea.

On 31 December 2012, Coleman signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Everton.

He was selected for the Ireland squad at UEFA Euro 2016, captaining Ireland against both Italy and France.

He was named the new Ireland captain in September 2016 following Robbie Keane's international retirement.

Coleman was raised in Killybegs, a fishing port in County Donegal in the west of Ulster, the northern province of Ireland.

Two of his uncles played Gaelic football.

His maternal aunt Anne (née Carr) came from Crove, a townland between Glengesh and Meenaneary, and is the mother of Dessie Farrell.

Coleman has two brothers: Francis and Stephen (known as Stevie).

His parents are Henry and Máire Coleman.

Henry is from Tinahely in County Wicklow, while Máire (née Carr) is from the townland of Crove (Irish: Cróibh) near Carrick, a village to the west of Killybegs.

He attended St Catherine's Vocational School in Killybegs for his secondary education.