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Andrew Driver
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Andrew David Driver (born 20 November 1987) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He represented Scotland at schoolboy level and England, where he was born, for the under-21 side.
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Hearts
[edit]Driver was born in Saddleworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester, but moved to Gullane, East Lothian at the age of eleven.[3] He began playing for Hutchison Vale AFC[4] in Edinburgh, from where he joined the Hearts youth academy.
He first made his mark on Hearts' first team during a pre-season tour of Austria in 2006, where he started all three friendlies, creating four goals in the process with his direct play and crossing ability. In August 2006 Driver signed a five-year extension to his contract with Hearts, committing him to the club until 2011. He made his home debut in the league on 26 August 2006 against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, coming on as a substitute with 15 minutes to go and scoring four minutes later.[5] Driver also scored a free kick in a 3–1 victory over Celtic at Celtic Park on 29 April 2007.[6] In July 2008 Driver signed an amended contract with the club for another five years committing himself to the club until 2013.[7]
Driver was the subject of two bids totalling £500,000 from Championship club Burnley in the summer of 2008, which was rejected by Hearts.[8] Coventry City too made a £1 million bid in the 2009 January transfer window, which was also rejected. On 6 July, the BBC reported that Burnley had opened signing talks with Hearts.[9] Joop Munsterman the FC Twente CEO reported on RVT Oost that Hearts had turned down a £3m offer for Driver.[10] In all five clubs enquired about his availability including Chelsea.[11]
In his first appearance on his return from injury Driver made his European debut against Paks in the Europa League scoring the third goal in their 4–1 win.[12] Despite being fit[13] Driver only appeared in seven of the first 20 competitive appearances under new manager Paulo Sérgio and a loan deal was considered,[14] but did not come to fruition as Hearts were seeking a fee for the loan.[15]
On 16 December the press reported that Driver was due to hand in a transfer request[16] as he no longer wished to play under new manager Paulo Sérgio.[17] The following day he was included in the squad as a substitute to face Dunfermline but was dropped after confirming to Sergio that he did not wish to play under him.[18] Despite this Driver was a 62nd-minute substitute against Motherwell the following weekend replacing David Templeton.[19]
Houston Dynamo
[edit]On 20 February 2013, Driver joined MLS side Houston Dynamo on loan until the end of the season with his contract at Hearts due to expire in June.[20][21] He made his Dynamo debut on 5 March, making a substitute appearance in a 1–0 win over Mexican-side Santos Laguna in leg 1 of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.[22] Houston lost leg 2 3–0, with Driver appearing as a sub.[22] Driver made his MLS debut on 17 March, coming off the bench and scoring once in a 3–2 loss to Texas Derby rivals FC Dallas. On 5 May he scored to give the Dynamo a 1–0 win over the LA Galaxy. He then scored against D.C. United on 8 May in a 4–0 Dynamo win.[23] Driver ended the MLS regular season with 3 goals and 1 assist from 26 appearances, helping Houston finish 4th in the Eastern Conference and qualify for the playoffs.[24][25] In the playoffs, Driver made 5 appearances, 1 start, as the Dynamo reached the Eastern Conference Final, where they lost to Sporting Kansas City 2–1 over two legs.[23] During the group stage of the 2013–14 CCL, Driver played twice as Houston failed to advance out of their group. He also made 2 appearances in the U.S. Open Cup during the season.[22]
Rumours circulated that he was to rejoin old club Heart of Midlothian; however this did not happen and he went on trial at then EFL Championship club Yeovil Town.[26] On 24 January 2014, it was confirmed that Driver has signed a new contract with Houston.[27]
Driver and the Dynamo opened the 2014 season on 8 March with a 4–0 win over the New England Revolution. He got his first start of the season in Houston's next match, a 1–0 victory against the Montreal Impact.[28] Driver ended the MLS regular season with 34 appearances and 1 assist as Houston finished 8th in the East, failing to qualify for the playoffs.[24][29]
On 25 November 2014, Houston declined the option on Driver's contract.[30] On 8 December 2014, his MLS rights were traded along with a 4th round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Houston to D.C. United in exchange for Samuel Inkoom and Joe Willis.[31]
Aberdeen
[edit]On 11 March 2015, it was announced that Driver would join Aberdeen on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[32] He made his Aberdeen debut on 21 March, starting a 1–1 draw with Dundee.[33] On 14 May Aberdeen announced that Driver would not be offered a new deal and would leave the club at the end of his contract.[34]
De Graafschap
[edit]In July 2015, Driver signed a one-year deal with the Doetinchem club, who had returned to the Eredivisie following promotion in the 2014–15 season. He made his debut in a 3–0 away defeat against Excelsior Rotterdam.[35] He signed a two-year extension with the club on 30 May 2016, even with the club on the verge of relegation to the Dutch second tier.
International career
[edit]Driver was previously a Scotland schoolboy international,[36][37] scoring a goal in a 2–1 Victory Shield defeat by England on 22 November 2002.[citation needed]
England U21 manager Stuart Pearce called the uncapped Driver up for a friendly match against Azerbaijan.[38] He was then called up for the 2009 European Championships. He made his debut and only appearance at the tournament in the 1–1 draw against Germany on 22 June 2009 during the group stages.[citation needed]
He was thought to be eligible to play for the Scotland senior team because of the new residency ruling recently introduced.[39][40] He was not called up by then-manager George Burley as Burley stated that it was Driver's choice to officially make himself available for selection.[41] On 4 February 2010, Driver committed his international future to Scotland after face-to-face talks with Scotland manager Craig Levein.[42] Only one week after opting to represent Scotland, the Scottish FA informed Driver he was not eligible to play for the national team, as he had not been schooled in Scotland for the requisite period of time.[43] This rule was subsequently altered to allow Driver to play for Scotland,[44] although he did not do so.
Personal life
[edit]Driver holds a U.S. green card which qualified him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.[45]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Heart of Midlothian | 2006–07 | Scottish Premier League | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 5 | ||||
| 2008–09 | 29 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 5 | ||||
| 2009–10 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | — | 15 | 3 | |||
| 2010–11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2011–12 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 1 | — | 30 | 1 | |||
| 2012–13 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | — | 28 | 2 | |||
| Hearts total | 143 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 169 | 19 | ||
| Houston Dynamo (loan) | 2013 | Major League Soccer | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4[d] | 0 | — | 37 | 3 | |
| Houston Dynamo | 2014 | Major League Soccer | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 36 | 0 | |||
| Aberdeen | 2014–15 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| De Graafschap | 2015–16 | Eredivisie | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2[e] | 0 | 29 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | Eerste Divisie | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 83 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 87 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 287 | 25 | 18 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 330 | 26 | ||
- ^ Includes Scottish Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and KNVB Cup
- ^ Includes Scottish League Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs
- ^ a b c Appearances in the Europa League
- ^ Appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League
- ^ Appearances in the Eredivisie relegation play-offs
Honours
[edit]Heart of Midlothian
Individual
- Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month: September 2007[50]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 26. ISBN 9-780954-855611.
- ^ "Smith reveals ethos behind Hutchie success". The Scotsman. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Andrew Driver receives Scotland eligibility boost". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "Andy Driver just another product of incredible Hutchison Vale youth set-up". Daily Record. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Taylor, Julian (26 August 2006). "Hearts 4-1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Lindsay, Clive (29 April 2007). "Celtic 1-3 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
- ^ "Driver's delight". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Burnley fail in latest attempt to snap up Driver Sky Sports, 14 June 2008
- ^ McLauchlin, Brian (6 July 2009). "Burnley contact Hearts for Driver". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
- ^ "Andrew Driver gevolgd door Twente" (in Dutch). fctwente.net.
- ^ "Chelsea join race to sign Hearts star Driver". Scotsman. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "Hearts 4 - 1 Paks (agg 5 - 2)". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "Raging Hearts star Andy Driver out to prove he isn't a crock". Daily Record. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "SPL loan is best option for Andy Driver". Scotsman Publications. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "Driver's loan hopes hit by Hearts fee demands". The Scotsman. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ "Hearts' Andrew Driver to hand in transfer request". Scottish Television. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ "Hearts manager banishes Andrew Driver from squad and condemns his attitude". The Scotsman. 18 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ "Axed Andrew Driver's Hearts future in doubt". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
- ^ "Hearts 2 - 0 Motherwell". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
- ^ Lovell, Darrell (20 February 2013). "Dynamo seal deal to add Hearts winger Driver on loan". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Ortiz, Jose de Jesus (21 February 2013). "Dynamo acquire midfielder Driver from Scottish Premier League". Chron. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "England - A. Driver - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Andrew Driver 2013 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "Andrew Driver". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "2013 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Former Hearts player Andy Driver on trial with Yeovil". Scotsman.com. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Houston Dynamo re-sign midfielder Andrew Driver". Houston Dynamo. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Andrew Driver 2014 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "2014 Major League Soccer Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ Lovell, Darrell (25 November 2014). "Houston Dynamo keep their core intact, but decline options on Omar Cummings, Andrew Driver". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Houston Dynamo acquire Joe Willis, Samuel Inkoom from D.C. United in exchange for midfielder Andrew Driver". Houston Dynamo. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "News". 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ "Andrew Driver 2014-2015 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "News". Aberdeen FC. 12 May 2017.
- ^ "Excelsior 3-0 De Graafschap". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "English-born Andrew Driver commits himself to Scotland". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Driver steers Select to Scottish Cup win, The Scotsman, 25 May 2002
- ^ McLaughlin, Chris; Lindsay, Clive (15 May 2009). "Driver set for England U21 call". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ^ "Scots could cap Driver if plan succeeds". Edinburgh Evening News. 27 February 2009.
- ^ "Driver could still play for Scots". BBC Sport. 16 June 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ "Driver must confirm his Scots dream". Edinburgh Evening News. 12 October 2009.
- ^ "Craig Levein convinces Hearts winger Andrew Driver to commit his international future to Scotland". The Herald. 5 February 2010.
- ^ "Driver not eligible for Scotland". 12 February 2010 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Andrew Driver delighted after he is finally cleared to be picked for Scotland". The Scotsman. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ Goff, Steven (8 December 2014). "D.C. United acquires Andrew Driver from Houston for Joe Willis, Samuel Inkoom". The Washington Post.
- ^ Andrew Driver at Soccerbase
- ^ "England - A. Driver - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Andrew Driver Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Starting Lineups Hibernian vs Hearts". Sky Sports. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Player Awards". Archived from the original on 17 January 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
External links
[edit]- Andrew Driver at WorldFootball.net
- Andrew Driver at Soccerbase
- "Hearts profile". Archived from the original on 8 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
- Andrew Driver at Major League Soccer
Andrew Driver
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family background
Andrew Driver was born on 20 November 1987 in Saddleworth, a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.[2] His family's relocation to Scotland at age 11 was prompted by his father's job opportunity north of the border.[1][6]Relocation to Scotland and youth development
In 1998, at the age of 11, Driver and his family relocated from Oldham, England, to East Lothian, Scotland, a region adjacent to Edinburgh.[1] This move marked a significant transition for the young Driver, who adapted to his new environment by enrolling in local amateur football through Hutchison Vale Boys Club in Edinburgh, where he began structured youth training shortly after arriving.[7] Driver's talent at Hutchison Vale quickly caught the attention of scouts, leading to his entry into the Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) youth academy around 2001, when he was 14.[8] By 2003, at age 15, he had progressed to a full-time role in the academy, graduating from the youth program and committing to professional development with the club.[9] Within the Hearts academy, Driver advanced through the under-16, under-18, and under-19 levels, honing his skills as a left-footed winger and midfielder known for his pace, dribbling, and crossing ability.[2] In 2006, while still primarily in the academy setup, Driver signed his first senior professional contract with Hearts, securing his pathway to the first team at age 18.[10]Club career
Heart of Midlothian
Andrew Driver made his senior debut for Heart of Midlothian on 26 August 2006, coming on as a substitute in a Scottish Premier League match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Tynecastle, which Hearts won 4–1; he marked the occasion by scoring the fourth goal in the 80th minute.[8][11] Having progressed through the club's youth academy since 2003, Driver quickly established himself as a promising winger, featuring regularly in the 2006–07 season with 22 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions.[12] His breakthrough came in the 2008–09 campaign, where he recorded a career-high 5 goals from 31 starts in the league, showcasing his pace and crossing ability on the right flank.[10] Over his time at Hearts, spanning from his youth integration in 2003 to his departure in 2013, Driver amassed 170 appearances and 19 goals across all competitions, contributing to several memorable club moments.[13][14] He featured in European competitions, making 5 appearances in Europa League and Champions League qualifying ties, including scoring once against Paks in a 4–0 win during the 2011 Europa League qualifiers.[13][10] A highlight was his role in the 2012 Scottish Cup victory, where he started the final against rivals Hibernian and assisted Rudi Skácel's third goal in a 5–1 triumph, helping secure Hearts' seventh Scottish Cup title.[15][8] Driver's progress was hampered by recurring injuries, including knee surgery, a torn thigh muscle, and a hernia operation between 2009 and 2011, which sidelined him for nearly two years and limited his appearances to just 14 in the 2010–11 season.[16] Further setbacks, such as a hamstring strain in April 2010, continued to disrupt his form during the 2011–12 campaign.[17] These issues compounded contractual tensions; in December 2011, under manager Paulo Sérgio, Driver submitted a transfer request amid fears of being exiled from first-team training, though he later withdrew it and returned to the squad.[18][8] His tenure ended amid ongoing contract disputes and the club's financial pressures. In February 2013, despite having signed a five-year extension in 2009, Driver was loaned to Houston Dynamo until the end of his deal in June, as Hearts sought to reduce wage costs; he was released shortly thereafter.[19][8]Houston Dynamo
In February 2013, Andrew Driver joined Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo on loan from Heart of Midlothian until the end of the season, marking his transition to American professional soccer.[20] He made his debut as a substitute in a 1–0 CONCACAF Champions League group stage victory over Santos Laguna on March 5, 2013, and went on to appear in four matches across the tournament as Houston advanced to the semifinals before elimination.[20] In MLS regular season play, Driver featured in 26 matches (20 starts), scoring three goals—including strikes against Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, and D.C. United—while contributing one assist to help Houston secure a fourth-place Eastern Conference finish.[21] He added five playoff appearances (one start) as the Dynamo reached the Eastern Conference final, losing to Sporting Kansas City.[22] Driver's loan expired with his Hearts contract in December 2013, but after a brief period as a free agent, he signed a multi-year deal with Houston on January 24, 2014, becoming a permanent roster member.[23] In the 2014 season, he appeared in all 34 regular-season MLS matches, logging over 2,500 minutes primarily as a winger, though he did not score but recorded one assist as Houston finished 14th in the East with an 11–6–17 record, missing the playoffs.[24][1] Driver also featured in one U.S. Open Cup match that year, a 1–0 third-round win over Laredo Heat, before Houston's elimination in the fourth round.[25] Over his two seasons with the Dynamo, he totaled 60 MLS appearances (42 starts) and three goals, adapting to the league's faster pace and physical demands, which he described as a "good challenge" with a rising standard compared to European soccer.[26][7] To facilitate his long-term residency, Driver obtained a U.S. green card, allowing him to count as a domestic player under MLS roster rules.[27] On November 25, 2014, Houston declined the option on Driver's contract, placing him into the MLS re-entry draft process.[28] Prior to the draft on December 12, his rights were traded to D.C. United on December 8, along with Houston's 2016 fourth-round SuperDraft pick, in exchange for goalkeeper Joe Willis and defender Samuel Inkoom.[26] However, Driver did not sign with D.C. United following a trial period, effectively ending his MLS career after two years in Houston.[29]Aberdeen
Driver joined Aberdeen on a free transfer on 11 March 2015, signing a short-term contract until the end of the 2014–15 season after leaving Houston Dynamo.[30] The move was subject to international clearance, allowing him to train with the squad immediately and potentially feature in upcoming matches.[31] He made his debut for Aberdeen on 21 March 2015, starting in a 1–1 draw against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, where he played 65 minutes before being substituted.[32] However, Driver's involvement was severely limited thereafter, with no further appearances in the competition due to persistent fitness issues stemming from his injury history.[5] On 14 May 2015, Aberdeen announced that Driver would not be offered a new contract as part of several squad changes at the end of the season.[33] His brief tenure, spanning just two months and one competitive outing, represented a low point in his career, marked by minimal impact amid stiff squad competition and health challenges.[5]De Graafschap
Driver joined De Graafschap on a free transfer in July 2015, signing a one-year contract following his release from Aberdeen.[34] During his three seasons with the club, Driver made 83 appearances and scored 4 goals, split between the Eredivisie (26 appearances, 4 goals) and the Eerste Divisie (56 appearances).[13] His time at De Graafschap was marked by intense promotion and relegation battles, including the 2015–16 Eredivisie season where the team finished 17th and suffered relegation after losing the promotion/relegation playoff to NAC Breda.[35] In 2016–17, playing in the Eerste Divisie, De Graafschap secured automatic promotion by finishing second in the league. The following year, 2017–18, saw another relegation struggle in the Eredivisie, with the club finishing last and dropping directly to the second tier. Driver faced challenges adapting to the technical demands of Dutch football, though he credited the move with improving his overall game.[36] Injuries and competition for places limited his starts, often seeing him deployed as a substitute or in versatile roles across midfield and left-back. In July 2018, at age 30, Driver retired from professional football after his contract expired without renewal following De Graafschap's relegation.[2] The decision was influenced by career accumulation of wear and tear, as well as his family's settlement in the Netherlands, where he had extended his stay in 2016 alongside his American wife.[37]International career
Youth career with Scotland
Born in Oldham, England, Andrew Driver relocated to Scotland at the age of 11 with his family, establishing residency ties that qualified him for selection to Scottish youth international teams despite his English birth. This move allowed him to represent Scotland at schoolboy level, where he earned multiple caps in the early 2000s prior to turning 15.[38] Driver progressed to the under-16 team, making his debut in the Victory Shield tournament and scoring in a 2-1 defeat to England on 22 November 2002.[1] His performances in Hearts' youth academy supported these early international opportunities, aligning with his development as a promising winger.[10] In 2010, amid discussions over FIFA's residency and schooling rules, Driver publicly committed to representing Scotland at the senior level, resolving his international allegiance in favor of the country where he had grown up and developed his career. Despite this commitment and confirmed eligibility, he did not earn a senior cap for Scotland.[39][40]Appearance for England U21
Driver's sole appearance for the England under-21 team came during the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he substituted into the group stage match against Germany on 22 June 2009, resulting in a 1–1 draw.[41][42] Born in Oldham, England, Driver relocated to Scotland at age 11, creating dual eligibility for both nations' youth teams amid initial confusion over his international allegiance.[43] His brief involvement with England under-21s represented a short trial period before committing fully to Scotland, as he had previously played for Scottish youth sides.[44] Following the tournament, FIFA amended its eligibility rules in October 2009, permitting Driver to switch allegiance to Scotland despite the under-21 cap, provided he met residency criteria.[45] A subsequent FIFA clarification in June 2010 confirmed his eligibility after addressing concerns over his schooling in England, leading Driver to publicly pledge his commitment to Scotland and effectively closing the door on further England opportunities.[46] The episode sparked minor controversy in Scottish media, with debates over Driver's loyalty and the nuances of FIFA's rules, though he pursued no additional caps for England thereafter.[40]Personal life
Family and relationships
Driver was born in Saddleworth, Oldham, England, but his family relocated to East Lothian, Scotland, when he was 11 years old, a move initiated by his parents that profoundly shaped his early development in Scottish football.[1] No details on siblings have been publicly documented. During his loan spell with Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer in 2013, Driver met his future wife, Jackie, an American.[47] The couple married, and Jackie's U.S. citizenship background enabled Driver to obtain a green card, allowing him to qualify as a domestic player in MLS without occupying an international roster spot.[47][27] The couple welcomed their son, Finlay, in 2017 while Driver was playing for De Graafschap in the Netherlands.[47] Family considerations played a key role in Driver's career choices, including his decision to settle in Arnhem, Netherlands, with Jackie and Finlay following his retirement from professional football in 2018.[47][2]Citizenship and residence
Andrew Driver was born in Saddleworth, England, on 20 November 1987, granting him British citizenship by birth.[1] His family relocated to East Lothian, Scotland, when he was 11 years old, where he grew up and later qualified for Scottish international representation through residency.[1] Despite his English birthplace, Driver represented Scotland at U16 level before making a single appearance for the England U21 team in 2009. In 2010, he committed his international future to Scotland but did not earn a senior cap, reflecting his dual heritage but without publicly documented formal dual passports.[48] During his time with the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer, Driver obtained a U.S. green card in 2014, enabling permanent residency and classifying him as a domestic player for roster purposes rather than an international slot.[27] This status supported his two seasons with the club in Houston, Texas, from 2013 to 2014. Driver's residences aligned closely with his professional career moves. He spent his youth in East Lothian before basing himself in Edinburgh during his decade-long stint with Heart of Midlothian from 2004 to 2013.[1] After a brief period in Aberdeen in 2015, he joined De Graafschap in the Netherlands in 2015, settling in the Arnhem area near the club's Doetinchem base.[49] Following his retirement from professional football in 2018, Driver settled in the Netherlands with his family.[2]Career statistics
Club statistics
Andrew Driver's professional club career statistics reflect his contributions across domestic leagues, cup competitions, and continental tournaments, with a total of 287 appearances and 25 goals in league matches alone, alongside 29 assists.[50] These figures encompass his time at Heart of Midlothian, Houston Dynamo, Aberdeen, and De Graafschap, drawn from official match records.[51] The following table summarizes his domestic league statistics by club:| Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Midlothian | Scottish Premiership | 143 | 18 | 17 |
| Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | 60 | 3 | 1 |
| Aberdeen | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| De Graafschap | Eredivisie / Eerste Divisie | 83 | 4 | 11 |
| Total | 287 | 25 | 29 |
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish FA Cup | 12 | 0 | 2 |
| Scottish League Cup | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| MLS Cup Playoffs | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| CONCACAF Champions League | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League Qualifying | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Eerste Divisie Promotion Playoffs | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 39 | 1 | 5 |
International youth statistics
Andrew Driver represented Scotland at the youth international level, primarily through schoolboy and under-16 teams, before making a single appearance for England's under-21 side. His youth career featured limited but notable caps, with detailed records available for specific age groups. No senior international appearances were recorded.[1]Scotland Youth
Driver earned recognition with Scotland's youth setups early in his career, including at schoolboy/U16 level where he represented the team and scored against England in the Victory Shield. Some sources suggest additional undetailed caps, but verified records confirm at least one appearance. No verified appearances or goals are recorded for Scotland's under-19 team.[1][52]| Level | Appearances | Goals | Key Matches/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| U16 (incl. schoolboy) | 1 | 1 | Nov. 22, 2002: Scotland 1–2 England (Victory Shield; goal scored at age 15)[1][10] |
England Youth
Driver switched allegiance for higher youth levels, debuting for England under-21s during the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He entered as a substitute and played the final stages of the match without scoring.[53]| Level | Appearances | Goals | Key Matches/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| U21 | 1 | 0 | Jun. 22, 2009: Germany 1–1 England (UEFA U21 Euros group stage; sub at 71')[1][53][10] |