Calum Graham Kavanagh (born 5 September 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Bradford City. Born in Wales, he has represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at under-17 & under-21 level.
Early and personal life
Kavanagh is the son of former professional footballer Graham Kavanagh, who played internationally for the Republic of Ireland.[3] He was born in Cardiff, whilst his father was playing for Cardiff City and grew up in England once his father returned there after leaving Cardiff City.[4]
Club career
After coming through Middlesbrough's academy, he made his debut for the club's under-18 side during the 2019–20 season and, after a string of impressive performances, was linked with a potential transfer to Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.[5] He signed a scholarship deal with the club in summer 2020,[6] before signing a three-year professional contract in September 2020.[7]
On 28 January 2022, it was announced that Kavanagh had joined EFL League Two club Harrogate Town on loan until the end of the season.[8][3][9] On 19 March 2022, he scored his first goal for the club on his seventh appearance.[10]
On 31 January 2023, Kavanagh joined Newport County on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.[11] He made his Newport debut in a 2–1 win against Swindon Town on 4 February 2023 as a second-half substitute, scoring the second Newport goal.[12]
Kavanagh's Middlesbrough debut came on 19 December 2023 in a 0–3 away win over Port Vale in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup, where he was substituted on in the 73rd minute.[13] On 26 December 2023, he came on as a substitute in a 1–0 away loss to Rotherham United to make his league debut.[14] His home debut came in a 3–1 loss to Coventry City on 1 January 2024.[15]
On 1 February 2024, Kavanagh signed for League Two club Bradford City for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[16]
International career
Kavanagh made 4 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national under-17 team, scoring one goal.[17][4] He made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21 side on 7 June 2024, in a 3–2 win away to Croatia U21 in a friendly.[18]
Career statistics
- As of match played 8 March 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough | 2021–22[19] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022–23[20] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[21] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2021–22[19] | League Two | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 |
| Newport County (loan) | 2022–23[20] | League Two | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| Bradford City | 2023–24[21] | League Two | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 16 | 5 |
| 2024–25[22] | League Two | 28 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 7 | |
| Total | 43 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 51 | 12 | ||
| Career total | 76 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 85 | 15 | ||
- ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
References
- ^ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22: Middlesbrough – Under 21 contract players" (PDF). efl.com. English Football League. p. 78. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Calum Kavanagh". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b Colman, Jon (28 January 2022). "Middlesbrough's Calum Kavanagh, son of former Carlisle United manager Graham, joins Harrogate Town". News and Star. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b Ford, David (9 April 2020). "Calum Kavanagh: 6 Things to Know About Middlesbrough's Irish Wonderkid". 90min.com. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Shaw, Dominic (15 March 2020). "Chelsea and Arsenal 'in battle to sign young Boro striker'". TeessideLive. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Tallentire, Philip (14 July 2020). "Boro fend off Chelsea & Arsenal to tie down talented teen". TeessideLive. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Shaw, Dominic (22 September 2020). "Boro delight as teenage striker signs first professional contract". TeessideLive. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Calum Kavanagh: Harrogate Town sign Middlesbrough forward on loan". BBC Sport. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Johns, Craig (28 January 2022). "Boro teenage hotshot Calum Kavanagh to get League Two experience on loan". TeessideLive. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Harrogate 1-1 Walsall: Calum Kavanagh's first Town goal earns last-minute point". Sky Sports. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Newport County sign Charlie McNeill and Calum Kavanagh on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Morris' 10-man Swindon beaten at Newport". BBC Sport. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Match Review: Port Vale 0 Boro 3". Middlesbrough FC. 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Match Review: Rotherham United 1 Boro 0". Middlesbrough FC. 26 December 2023.
- ^ FC, Middlesbrough (1 January 2024). "Match Review: Boro 1 Coventry City 3". Middlesbrough FC. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "KAVANAGH BECOMES A BANTAM". www.bradfordcityafc.com. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Calum Kavanagh » Internationals". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "REPORT | U21 | Croatia U21 2-3 Ireland U21".
- ^ a b "Games played by Calum Kavanagh in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Games played by Calum Kavanagh in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Games played by Calum Kavanagh in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Calum Kavanagh in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
External links
- Calum Kavanagh at Soccerway
- Calum Kavanagh at Soccerbase
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