32 Facts About Daniel McBreen

Daniel James McBreen was born on 23 April 1977 and is a former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Daniel McBreen played in the Romanian Divizia A for Universitatea Craiova, in the Scottish Premier League for Falkirk, in the Football League for Scunthorpe United, in the A-League for North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners, in the Chinese Super League for Shanghai Dongya and in the Hong Kong Premier League for South China.

Daniel McBreen is the formerly head coach of the Newcastle Jets youth team.

Daniel McBreen rejoined York permanently in 2008 and played one season for them, with his last match in Europe coming in their defeat in the 2009 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium.

Daniel McBreen returned to Australia to play in the A-League for North Queensland Fury, but mid-season agreed to join division rivals Central Coast Mariners for the next two seasons.

Daniel McBreen scored one of the Mariners' goals in the 2013 A-League Grand Final as they were crowned A-League Champions, and for his performance he was awarded the Joe Marston Medal.

Daniel McBreen had already won A-League Golden Boot as the division's top scorer with 17 goals.

Daniel McBreen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England to Jim and Kathy.

Daniel McBreen was raised in Newcastle, New South Wales and started his career playing local football for Toronto Awaba Stags before joining Edgeworth Eagles in 1999.

Daniel McBreen scored over 20 goals for them in the 1999 Northern NSW State Football League before being the league's top scorer the following season with 23 goals.

Daniel McBreen earned his first professional contract aged 23 with Newcastle United of the National Soccer League in July 2000.

Daniel McBreen later credited Edgeworth coach Bobby Naumov for the move, saying "Daniel McBreen set me on the road to a pro career".

Daniel McBreen finally left Craiova in 2004 after the club's president Pavel Badea, a former teammate of McBreen's at the club, signed a letter releasing him from his contract.

Daniel McBreen took his case to FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the help of Professional Footballers Australia, and only received the money he was owed after the club was given a three-point deduction and was threatened with automatic relegation.

Daniel McBreen was prepared to return to Australia before being offered a trial with Falkirk of the Scottish First Division.

Daniel McBreen played for Conference South club St Albans City in pre-season before Falkirk received international clearance to play him in September 2004.

Daniel McBreen signed a new one-year contract with Falkirk in June 2005, and manager John Hughes predicted "With a good pre-season under his belt, I'm sure he'll get even better".

Daniel McBreen joined Conference Premier club York City on 5 October 2007 on a one-month loan, with the option of a possible extension.

Daniel McBreen bought out the remainder of his Scunthorpe contract to join St Johnstone of the Scottish First Division on 2 January 2008 on a contract until the end of the season.

Daniel McBreen suffered a knee injury during this match, and this hampered his progress at the club.

Daniel McBreen held talks with A-League team Adelaide United before being handed a trial with their divisional rivals Wellington Phoenix.

Daniel McBreen returned to former club York City on 25 June 2008 on a one-year contract.

Daniel McBreen had scored 3 goals in 21 appearances for the Fury.

Daniel McBreen made five appearances and scored twice in the 2012 AFC Champions League, as they were eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in their group.

On 8 June 2013, Daniel McBreen joined Chinese Super League team Shanghai Dongya on a five-month loan lasting until 31 October, joining his former teammate Bernie Ibini-Isei who completed his transfer four days earlier.

Daniel McBreen went without scoring in the final three months of the season, which he finished with 5 goals from 28 appearances as Shanghai ranked in fifth place in the 2014 Chinese Super League table.

Daniel McBreen stated his desire to stay for another season, but admitted he might not be retained after the club was taken over by new owners.

Daniel McBreen played as a striker and was good in the air and adept at holding the ball up and bringing teammates into play.

Daniel McBreen was appointed as the head coach of the Newcastle Jets under-15 team in October 2015, and remained playing on a semi-professional basis with former club Edgeworth in the National Premier Leagues Northern NSW for the 2016 season.

Daniel McBreen retired from playing at the end of the 2019 season and was appointed as the head coach of the Newcastle Jets youth team on 13 September 2019.

Since 2021, Daniel McBreen has worked for Network 10 providing commentary and punditry on the Australia men's national soccer team and A-League Men matches.

Daniel McBreen married Gabrielle Stockton in Sydney, New South Wales in December 2014 and the couple have two sons, Noah and Leo.