James Joseph McClean is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger for EFL Championship club Wigan Athletic and the Republic of Ireland national team.
39 Facts About James McClean
2.
James McClean spent two seasons at Wigan, claiming their player of the year award in the latter, and then returned to the Premier League by joining West Bromwich Albion in June 2015.
3.
James McClean spent three season with the Baggies before joining Stoke City in July 2018.
4.
James McClean was born and brought up in Derry and played for the Northern Ireland national under-21 football team, but declined a call-up to the senior squad because he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland.
5.
In February 2012, James McClean received international clearance from FIFA which made him eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland, making his debut against the Czech Republic in the same month.
6.
James McClean has since represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016.
7.
James McClean grew up in the Creggan area of Derry and attended Holy Family Primary School and St Peter's High School.
8.
James McClean played Gaelic football with Sean Dolans GAC before concentrating on association football.
9.
James McClean made his League of Ireland debut for Derry City as a substitute for Kevin McHugh playing against Cork City at Turner's Cross on 8 September 2008.
10.
James McClean scored eight goals in 33 appearances in the 2010 season helping Derry return to the top-flight.
11.
James McClean began to attract more interest from English clubs in the 2011 season with Peterborough United making some unsuccessful bids.
12.
On 23 March, Sunderland announced that James McClean had signed a new contract intended to force him to stay at the club until the summer of 2015.
13.
James McClean scored in the third round as well, scoring in the 82nd minute away at Milton Keynes Dons.
14.
James McClean fell out of favour with the Sunderland supporters after he refused to wear a poppy which led to his departure in August 2013.
15.
James McClean signed for Championship club Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract on 8 August 2013.
16.
James McClean was given an improved contract extension until 2019, with the option of a further year.
17.
James McClean played 42 times as the Baggies finished in 10th.
18.
James McClean made his Stoke debut on 5 August 2018 against Leeds United.
19.
In September 2018 James McClean suffered a broken arm whilst on international duty with Ireland.
20.
James McClean became a key player under O'Neill and his form helped the team pick up results to move out of the relegation zone.
21.
James McClean ended the campaign with seven goals from 37 appearances as Stoke avoided relegation and finished in 15th position.
22.
James McClean angered O'Neill in March 2021 after he played for Ireland despite recovering from a foot injury.
23.
On 17 August 2021 James McClean re-joined Wigan Athletic on a one-year contract.
24.
James McClean had represented Northern Ireland at a number of junior levels, but ultimately opted to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
25.
James McClean has represented Northern Ireland seven times at Under 21 level.
26.
James McClean decided to wait for selection by the Republic of Ireland and therefore pulled out of the Northern Ireland squad.
27.
James McClean made his international debut on 29 February 2012, coming on in the 78th minute for Aiden McGeady in a friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva Stadium.
28.
On 7 May 2012, manager Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed that James McClean was part of the Irish UEFA Euro 2012 squad.
29.
James McClean then received sectarian abuse and death threats via Twitter.
30.
However, on 14 June 2012, James McClean appeared as a substitute against Spain, coming on in the 76th minute in Gdansk, Poland.
31.
The tweet, and James McClean's account, were subsequently deleted and the winger was forced to apologise to teammates.
32.
On 16 November 2020, the Football Association of Ireland announced that James McClean had tested positive for COVID-19 after playing a full game against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.
33.
James McClean highlighted in his statement that he went public with the diagnosis in order to support his daughter during World Autism Acceptance Week.
34.
James McClean grew up on the Creggan estate, where six of the men shot dead on Bloody Sunday in 1972 came from.
35.
James McClean stated he would wear the poppy if it were restricted to honouring only soldiers who died in the World Wars, many of whom, particularly during World War I, were Irish, and has insisted his position is one of peace, and not any kind of wider political, religious or anti-British point.
36.
The first instance occurred on 10 November 2012, with James McClean wearing a plain Sunderland shirt during their match against Everton.
37.
James McClean donated his unadorned shirt, signed, to a charity auction in aid of a Dublin-based children's charity.
38.
James McClean made a significant donation to homeless people at the Wells and Foyle Valley House in Derry.
39.
James McClean made another significant donation to the Wells facility in the Bogside, for up to 24 men who have alcohol problems.