40 Facts About Aiden McGeady

Aiden John McGeady was born on 4 April 1986 and is an Irish former professional footballer.

Aiden McGeady was born in Scotland, and represented the Republic of Ireland national team from 2004 until 2017.

In Russia, Aiden McGeady was a runner-up in the Russian Premier League.

Whilst at Everton, Aiden McGeady was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End before joining Sunderland in the summer of 2017.

Aiden McGeady was born in Scotland, but opted to declare for the Republic of Ireland national team, qualifying by way of his Irish grandparents.

Aiden McGeady was included in the Irish squads at UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016 and made 93 full international appearances over the course of his career.

Aiden McGeady attended Trinity High School for a short period of time before attending St Ninian's High School, Giffnock.

Aiden McGeady's father, John McGeady, was a professional football player for Sheffield United.

Aiden McGeady began his career with Queen's Park, having played as a child with a local youth team, Busby Boys Club.

Aiden McGeady progressed through the academy alongside Charlie Mulgrew, playing with the youth and reserve teams, and won the Scottish Youth Cup in 2003.

Aiden McGeady started the match, scored a goal after 17 minutes, and finished that season with four league appearances as Celtic won the league.

Aiden McGeady made his UEFA Champions League debut the next season in a game against Italian side AC Milan and made the breakthrough into the first team that same season, with 27 appearances in the league as Celtic finished runners-up in Martin O'Neill's final campaign with the club.

Aiden McGeady started the 2007 Scottish Cup Final victory over Dunfermline Athletic.

On 16 December 2008, after a much-publicised dressing room row with manager Gordon Strachan, Aiden McGeady was fined two weeks' wages and suspended for two matches, although Strachan later denied any fallout between him and Aiden McGeady.

Aiden McGeady's form improved: he stayed injury-free while contributing seven goals and 16 assists in 35 league appearances.

Aiden McGeady was included in the Russian Football Union's list of 33 top players, published in December 2010, which named McGeady the second-best right winger.

In May 2013, Aiden McGeady received a red card for the second time in the season after he struck an opponent, and then made an offensive gesture as he left the pitch.

Aiden McGeady was accused of vandalising a dressing room door at Saransk Stadium and was warned that he could face police action.

Aiden McGeady was originally suspended for six matches; the Russian Football Union reduced his suspension to two matches.

At season's end, Aiden McGeady had made 23 appearances and scored five times.

In January 2014, Aiden McGeady joined English club Everton of the Premier League on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

Aiden McGeady was mainly used as a substitute as he made just three starts in his first season, helping Everton to record their best-ever points tally in the Premier League era and a fifth-place finish.

Aiden McGeady only featured twice for Everton for the rest of the season, making two late second-half substitute appearances in May 2015.

Aiden McGeady was left out of Carvalhal's squads for both legs of the playoff semi-final against Brighton and the playoff final against Hull after a series of poor performances.

On 31 August 2016, Aiden McGeady signed for Preston North End on a season-long loan.

Aiden McGeady signed a three-year contract with Sunderland on 13 July 2017, reuniting him with former Preston manager Simon Grayson.

Aiden McGeady's performances saw him recognized by his peers as he made Team of the Year and was shortlisted for Player of the Year in League One.

Luton Town's James Collins won the individual accolade; Aiden McGeady was voted the Supporters Player of the Year.

Aiden McGeady signed a one-year contract with Scottish club Hibernian on 24 June 2022, reuniting him with former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson.

Aiden McGeady returned to action in December, but suffered a hamstring injury on 18 February 2023 in a game against Kilmarnock.

On 21 July 2023, Aiden McGeady signed a two-year deal with Scottish Championship club Ayr United and took up the role as technical manager with the club.

Aiden McGeady left by mutual consent on 1 October 2024.

On 17 October 2024, Aiden McGeady announced his retirement from football at the age of 38.

Aiden McGeady played in an under-13 World Cup tournament in Paris.

Aiden McGeady accepted the offer and joined the Irish youth setup.

Aiden McGeady was later named in a Scotland under-16 squad, and Scotland head coach Berti Vogts attempted to persuade him, but he declined the invitation, citing his experience in the Irish set-up.

Aiden McGeady made his full debut for the Republic of Ireland in July 2004 against Jamaica.

Aiden McGeady has made over 90 appearances for Ireland and featured often under manager Giovanni Trapattoni, appearing in each of his squads.

Aiden McGeady was named in Trapattoni's 23-man squad for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

Aiden McGeady was shortlisted for FAI Senior International Player of the Year in 2014, but lost out to John O'Shea.