Darren Robinson (footballer)

Darren Robert Russell Robinson (born 29 December 2004) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Derby County.

Darren Robinson

Personal information
Full name	Darren Robert Russell Robinson[1]
Date of birth	(2004-12-29) 29 December 2004 (age 20)[2]
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[3]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Derby County
Number	26
Youth career
0000–2019	Portadown
2019–2021	Dungannon Swifts
2021–2023	Derby County
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021	Dungannon Swifts	1	(0)
2021–	Derby County	1	(0)
2024	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	6	(0)
International career
2022	Northern Ireland U18	3	(0)
2022–	Northern Ireland U19	6	(0)
2023–	Northern Ireland U21	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:33, 10 November 2023 (UTC)

Robinson spent his youth career in his native Northern Ireland at Portadown, before joining Dungannon Swifts in 2019, where he made his first team debut in 2021. In May 2021, Robinson moved to England and signed with Derby County, making his debut for the first team in April 2022. Robinson had a loan spell at Hartlepool United from August to October 2024.

Club career

Having joined the club from Portadown in 2019,^[4] Robinson signed his first professional contract with Dungannon Swifts in January 2021.^[5] During the 2020–21 season, he spent time training at English clubs Fleetwood Town, Stoke City and Derby County.^[6] He made his first-team debut for Dungannon Swifts on 29 May 2021 as a late substitute against Glenavon,^[6][2] and it was announced that Robinson had joined EFL Championship club Derby County on a three-year professional contract two days later.^[6][4] After Derby County went into administration in November 2021, it was reported that Dungammon Swifts were owed £36,000 for the transfer of Robinson.^[7]

On 15 January 2022, he was named on Derby's first-team bench for their 2–0 win over Sheffield United, having impressed for both the under-18 and under-23 teams.^[8] He made his debut for Derby on 23 April 2022 as a 82nd-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Bristol City.^[9]

During the 2022–23 season, Robinson was a regular in the under-21 team and made two first team appearances, both in the EFL Trophy.^[2] He signed his professional contract for the club, until June 2024^[10] and was named club scholar of the year for a second year in a row in May 2023.^[11]

In the lead up the 2023–24 season, Robinson was promoted to the first team squad, taking a full part in all first team pre-season activities.^[12][13] Robinson featured in 10 League One matchday squads as an unused substitute during the season which ended in promotion back to the Championship for the first team, Robinson would play one first team match for Derby, in an EFL Trophy match against Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21s on 8 November 2023; playing 90 minutes as a central defender.^[14] Robinson when not part of first team squads played for the under-21s, where he took on the role of captain.^[15]

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Robinson had signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Derby until June 2026.^[16]

In August 2024, he joined National League side Hartlepool United on loan until 1 January 2025.^[17] Robinson struggled to make an impact at Hartlepool and was recalled from his loan by Derby after making six appearances, with only two starts.^[18]

International career

Robinson was called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team in March 2022.^[19] He made 3 appearances during the March 2022 international break.^[20]

Career statistics

As of match played 5 October 2024^[21]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Dungannon Swifts	2020–21	NIFL Premiership	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Derby County	2021–22[22]	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2022–23[23]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	2[a]	0	2	0
	2023–24[24]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1[a]	0	1	0
	2024–25[25]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	0
Hartlepool United	2024–25	National League	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Career total			8	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	11	0

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

References

1. "Club List of Registered Players as at 21st May 2022" (PDF). English Football League. p. 16. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
2. "D. Robinson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
3. "Darren Robinson". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
4. "Derby deal for Darren". dungannonswiftsfc.com. Dungannon Swifts F.C. 30 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
5. Crawford, Steven (19 January 2021). "Darren Robinson signs first professional deal at Dungannon Swifts". News Letter. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
6. Hanna, Gareth (31 May 2021). "Darren Robinson tipped to go 'a long way' after Dungannon Swifts midfielder makes move to Derby County". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
7. Hanna, Gareth (24 November 2021). "Derby County: Dungannon Swifts and another Northern Ireland company owed money by club in administration". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
8. Fullerton, Darren (16 January 2022). "Wayne Rooney shows early faith in former Dungannon midfielder". BelfastLive. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
9. Nicholson, Steve (24 April 2022). "Wayne Rooney made right call in Derby County's bigger picture". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
10. Pallatt, James (18 January 2023). "Derby County announce triple contract update". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
11. Fullerton, Gareth (3 May 2023). "Derby County teen Darren Robinson wins top scholar award for second year in a row". Belfast Live. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
12. "DARREN ROBINSON INTERVIEW: 'I'M LOVING IT!'". dcfc.co.uk. Derby County F.C. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
13. "Derby County Squad Numbers: 2023/24 season". dcfc.co.uk. Derby County F.C. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
14. "Bristol Street Motors Trophy Match Report: Derby County 4–1 Wolves U21s". dcfc.co.uk. Derby County Football Club. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
15. "Man Utd 2-4 Derby". premierleague.com. Premier League. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
16. "Midfielder Robinson signs new Derby deal". Derby County. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
17. "Darren Robinson joins on loan". Hartlepool United. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
18. "Darren Robinson: Hartlepool United midfielder recalled from loan spell by parent club Derby County". Hartlepool Mail. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
19. "Robinson Named In Northern Ireland Under19s Squad". dcfc.co.uk. Derby County F.C. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
20. "Darren Robinson » U18 Friendlies 2022". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
21. Darren Robinson at Soccerway. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
22. "Games played by Darren Robinson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
23. "Games played by Darren Robinson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
24. "Games played by Darren Robinson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
25. "Games played by Darren Robinson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2024.

External links

• Darren Robinson at Soccerbase
• Darren Robinson at Soccerway