Danny Swanson
FullnameDaniel Joseph Swanson [1]
Birth date28 December 1986 (age 39)
Birth placeLeith, Scotland
Height1.68 m[2]
PositionAttacking midfielder
Youthclubs 1Cowdenbeath
Youthclubs 2Hutchison Vale
Youthclubs 3Leith Athletic
Years 12005–2008
Years 22008–2012
Years 32012–2014
Years 42014–2015
Years 52015
Years 62015–2016
Years 72016–2017
Years 82017–2018
Years 92018–2020
Years 102020–2022
Years 112024–
Clubs 1Berwick Rangers
Clubs 2Dundee United
Clubs 3Peterborough United
Clubs 4Coventry City
Clubs 5→ St Johnstone (loan)
Clubs 6Heart of Midlothian
Clubs 7St Johnstone
Clubs 8Hibernian
Clubs 9St Johnstone
Clubs 10East Fife
Clubs 11Cowdenbeath
Caps 127
Goals 112
Caps 2108
Goals 214
Caps 362
Goals 39
Caps 415
Goals 42
Caps 511
Goals 52
Caps 68
Goals 60
Caps 744
Goals 711
Caps 831
Goals 83
Caps 930
Goals 92
Caps 1025
Goals 100
Caps 114
Goals 110
Club-update14 December 2024

Daniel Joseph Swanson (born 28 December 1986) is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Cowdenbeath

Swanson started his career at Scottish Third Division side Berwick Rangers before moving to Scottish Premier League club Dundee United in 2008. He moved to England in 2012 to play for Peterborough United. After two years with Peterborough he signed for Coventry City, but he then moved back to Scotland on loan at St Johnstone. Swanson was released by Coventry in September 2015 and then signed for Heart of Midlothian, where he spent five months before returning to St Johnstone. Swanson then played on Hibernian for a brief period before returning to St Johnstone once again in 2018. In 2020 he joined East Fife on a two-year deal and left in summer of 2022.

Career

Early career

Born with a heart defect, Swanson underwent a number of operations as a youngster, including a heart bypass at the age of thirteen.[3] After overcoming his health problems, Swanson played for Hutchison Vale and Leith Athletic before joining Berwick Rangers, making his debut at the start of the 2005–06 season. Playing the majority of Scottish Third Division matches that season, a knee injury restricted him to just three league appearances the following season when Berwick were promoted to the Scottish Second Division, although he started the 2007–08 season injury-free.

Dundee United

Swanson completed a move to the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United on 1 January 2008 after agreeing terms in October 2007, having previously turned down a move to Hamilton Academical.[4] Making his debut the following day as a substitute in the 4–1 win over Hearts, Swanson scored his first goal for United in a 2–0 victory over Motherwell in March 2008, going on to feature in a number of matches that season. In 2008–09, Swanson was used mainly as a substitute, starting in only seven of his 30 league appearances. In the 2009–10 season, Swanson started United's opening three league matches, assisting three of the club's four goals in the process.

His good performances for United meant that Swanson was selected for the Scotland squad in October 2011.[5] Soon afterwards, however, Swanson strained a medial ligament.[5] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Swanson's contract expired and he opened talks with Championship side Peterborough United over a possible move to England.[6]

Peterborough United

On 6 June 2012, Swanson signed a two-year contract with English Championship club Peterborough United after making over 100 appearances for Dundee United.[7]

The midfielder made a total of 79 appearances scoring 5 goals before rejecting a new contract offer with Posh at the end of the 2013-2014 season.

Swanson won the EFL Trophy with Peterborough United at Wembley Stadium in 2014.

Coventry City

On 3 July 2014, Swanson signed a two-year contract with Coventry City after rejecting a new contract at Peterborough United.[8]

Swanson signed on loan for St Johnstone for the latter part of the 2014–15 season on 3 February 2015.[9] He returned to Coventry City for close season 2015, but had his contract terminated on 1 September 2015 by mutual consent.[10]

Heart of Midlothian

Swanson signed for Heart of Midlothian on 9 September 2015, agreeing a contract to the end of the 2015–16 season.[11]

St Johnstone (second spell)

After just five months with Hearts, Swanson signed for his former side St Johnstone in February 2016 on an 18-month deal.[12]

In April 2017, Swanson brought St Johnstone in to disrepute after becoming involved in an on-pitch brawl with teammate Ricky Foster. Both players were suspended by the club[13] and were subsequently fined four weeks' wages.[14]

Hibernian

On 25 April 2017, Hibernian announced that they had signed Swanson on a pre-contract agreement.[15] Injuries restricted his appearances for Hibs in the first part of the 2017/18 season.[16] Swanson was linked with a return to St Johnstone in January 2018,[16] but he decided against this.[17] His contract with Hibs was cancelled on 31 August 2018.[18]

St Johnstone (third spell)

After his release from Hibernian, Swanson resigned for St Johnstone in September 2018, stating that he was "at his happiest" whilst playing for the Perth club.[19] He was released by the club in May 2020.[20]

East Fife

On 30 July 2020, Danny Swanson signed for East Fife, on a two-year deal.[21]

Cowdenbeath

After 2.5 years without competitive football, on 6 September 2024 Swanson signed with Cowdenbeath in the fifth-tier Lowland Football League.[22]

Career statistics

[23][2]

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Berwick Rangers2005–06Scottish Third Division271102040341
2006–07Scottish Third Division3000000030
2007–08[24]Scottish Second Division133002021174
Total434104061545
Dundee United2007–08Scottish Premier League1222000—142
2008–09Scottish Premier League3002020—340
2009–10Scottish Premier League3156020—395
2010–11Scottish Premier League212200010242
2011–12Scottish Premier League143001010163
Total10812120502012712
Peterborough United2012–13Championship2721020—302
2013–14League One352303180493
Total624405180795
Coventry City2014–15League One150001020180
St Johnstone (loan)2014–15Scottish Premiership112100000122
Heart of Midlothian2015–16Scottish Premiership800010—90
St Johnstone2015–16Scottish Premiership141000000141
2016–17Scottish Premiership30101065—3715
Total44111065005116
Hibernian2017–18Scottish Premiership1700041—211
2018–19[note 1]Scottish Premiership2000002040
Total260004120313
St Johnstone2018–19Scottish Premiership2301010—250
2019–20Scottish Premiership700040—110
Total300105000360
East Fife2020–21Scottish League One1502010—180
Career total3553322032720142941
A.  The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the 2006 Scottish Second Division play-offs, Scottish Challenge Cup, UEFA Europa League, Football League Trophy & 2014 Football League play-offs.

Honours

Club

Dundee United
Peterborough United

Notes

  1. ^ Soccerbase did not record an appearance made by Swanson against NSI Runavik on 19 July 2018.

References

  1. ^ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13". The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  2. ^
  3. ^ Vallely, Joanna (4 April 2008). "Danny Swanson: The football 'genius' missed by Edinburgh clubs". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  4. ^ "Levein excited by Swanson switch". BBC Sport website. 10 October 2007.
  5. ^ "Dundee Utd midfielder Danny Swanson suffers knee injury". BBC Sport. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Swanson could be the man for Posh". Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  7. ^ "Swanson 'sold' on Posh move". Sky Sports. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Coventry City complete signing of midfielder Danny Swanson". Coventry City F.C. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  9. ^ "St Johnstone sign Swanson on loan as McDonald departs". BBC Sport. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  10. ^ "Danny Swanson leaves Coventry City by mutual consent ahead of St Johnstone switch". Coventry Telegraph. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  11. ^ "Midfielder Danny Swanson joins Hearts until end of season". BBC Sport. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Saints secure Danny Swanson return". St. Johnstone. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  13. ^ "St Johnstone: Red card pair Swanson & Foster set for 'severe' punishments". BBC Sport. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  14. ^ "St Johnstone: Richard Foster & Danny Swanson fined for on-field bust-up". BBC Sport. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  15. ^ "HIBERNIAN SIGN DANNY SWANSON ON PRE-CONTRACT". Hibernianfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Danny Swanson: St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright open to player's return". BBC Sport. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  17. ^ "St Johnstone: Wright aims to add players but not Swanson". BBC Sport. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  18. ^ "DANNY SWANSON DEPARTS HIBERNIAN". Hibernian FC. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Danny Swanson: St Johnstone sign midfielder for third time after Hibs exit". BBC Sport. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  20. ^ [1] [dead link]
  21. ^ "Danny Swanson Agrees Terms to Join East Fife". Eastfifefc.info
  22. ^ "Signing News". Cowdenbeath. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  23. ^
  24. ^ Includes one league appearance not recorded on Soccerbase. "Ayr United 4–0 Berwick Rangers". BBC Sport. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  25. ^ McGuigan, Thomas (15 May 2010). "Dundee United 3–0 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  26. ^ "30 March 2014 – Wembley Stadium". Wembleystadium.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.