Paul George (footballer)

Paul George (born 27 January 1994) is a professional footballer from Northern Ireland. George has previously played for Scottish sides Celtic, Hamilton, and Dunfermline Athletic. He has also represented both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland at youth levels.

Paul George
Personal information
Full name Paul George
Date of birth (1995-01-27) 27 January 1995
Place of birth Killough, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Dromara Village
Youth career
2008–2011 Celtic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Celtic 3 (0)
2014 → Hamilton Academical (loan) 17 (2)
2015 Dunfermline Athletic 8 (2)
2015–2016 Cliftonville 20 (2)
2016–2017 Ballarat Red Devils 12 (4)
2018 Portadown 6 (0)
2019- Dromara Village
International career‡
2009 Northern Ireland U16 6 (4)
2010 Northern Ireland U17 3 (1)
2011 Republic of Ireland U17 3 (2)
2011–2013 Republic of Ireland U19 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 February 2018
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 October 2011

Career

George joined the Celtic youth squad in 2008[1] and made his senior debut on 21 September 2011 when he came on as a late substitute in a 2–0 League Cup victory over Ross County.[2] He suffered a broken leg on 7 April 2012, following a challenge by a Rangers player in a U19 Old Firm match. Celtic initially announced that he could be out for between six and eight months following the injury.[3] Despite the injury, George's performances over the course of the season saw him win the Under 19 League Player of the Season award.[4]

After recovering from this injury, George joined Scottish Championship club Hamilton Academical on loan in January 2014[5] and made 17 appearances in total.[6] He returned to Celtic at the end of the season but an injury in pre-season training saw George miss a substantial part of the start of the 2014–15 season.[7] He made a handful of appearances for the Development Side[7] before being released by Celtic in January 2015.[8]

In February 2015, George appeared as a trialist for Dunfermline Athletic in a Fife Cup match against Cowdenbeath.[9] After impressing manager John Potter with his performance, the Pars signed George until the end of the season.[8][10] George was released at the end of the season, after making only 8 appearances for the side.[11]

After having trials at Derry City and Glentoran,[12] George signed for Cliftonville in October 2015.[13] In June 2016, George signed for Australian side Ballarat Red Devils[14] playing in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 2 West.

International career

Killough born George started his international career with Northern Ireland, earning three under-17 caps. In 2011, he switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland earning under-17 and under-19 caps.[15]

Career statistics
As of 26 September 2016
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Celtic 2011–12 0000100010
2012–13 0000000000
2013–14 3000000000
Total 0000100010
Hamilton Academical (loan) 2013–14 14200000060
Dunfermline Athletic 2014–15 8200000040
Ballarat Red Devils 2016[16] 7200000072
Career Total 172001000182

Honours
Celtic
Cliftonville

References
  1. "U19s – The Players". Celtic FC. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  2. "Ross County 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  3. "Paul George injury update". Celtic FC. 8 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  4. "Clydesdale Bank Premier League awards 2011/12". SPFL. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. "Celtic midfielder Paul George moves to Hamilton on loan". BBC Sport. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  6. "P. George". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  7. McHugh, Joe (25 November 2014). "Paul George returns to face Everton" (25 November 2015). Video Celts. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  8. "Dunfermline sign Paul George". The Courier. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  9. "Potter interested in Boy George". dafc.co.uk. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  10. "Dunfermline Athletic sign former Celtic winger Paul George until the end of the season". Dunfermline Press. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  11. "18 Pars players released". DAFC.co.uk. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  12. "Glentoran and Derry fight for ex-Celtic player Paul George". Belfasttelegraph. Belfast Telegraph. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  13. "Ex-Celtic winger Paul George signs for Cliftonville". BBC. BBC Sport. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  14. "Ballarat bring in former Bhoy George – Corner Flag".
  15. "Northern Ireland anger as Republic picks Celtic's Paul George". Belfast Telegraph. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  16. "Ballarat Red Devils competition stats". SportsTG. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
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