Kevin Kyle

Kevin Alastair Kyle (born 7 June 1981) is a Scottish retired footballer and media personality who played as a centre forward. He played for eleven senior clubs in his career. Kyle gained ten full Scotland international caps and scored one goal.

After starting as a youngster at Ayr United, Kyle began his professional career with Sunderland, where he had been in the youth team. Kyle remained at the Stadium of Light for six years, making 91 appearances in the Football League, scoring 17 goals. He also made his debut for both the Scotland under−21s and its senior team during his time in the North East, as well as gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2004–05. In 2006, he moved to Coventry City, for whom he made 44 league appearances and scored five goals.

In 2009, Kyle signed for Kilmarnock, marking his professional debut in his homeland. After a year in East Ayrshire, during which he scored 16 goals, Kyle signed for Hearts in 2010. In two years at Tynecastle, Kyle scored seven goals in his 19 league appearances. In 2012, Kyle joined Rangers, where he made eight league appearances and scored three goals, and won the Third Division title as the club began its climb back to top tier. Kyle finished his career back at Ayr United in 2013, aged 32, and retired the following year.

Born and raised in Stranraer, Scotland, Kyle began playing football when he was two years old. Kyle then played for his school team and local amateur sides he was selected to play for Dumfries and Galloway region. Also in the same Dumfries and Galloway team was fellow Stranraer boy Allan Jenkins.

His father was a referee in Scotland and he has an older brother, Mark.

Kyle began his career as a youth at Ayr United while working as a baggage handler for Stranraer harbour. One day, he received an invitation for a trial at Sunderland. The trial was successful and Kyle joined the Black Cats in 1998. He spent two seasons as a prolific scorer for their reserves before being called up to the first team in Sunderland’s pre–season tour in the 2000–01 season. Upon returning from a loan spell at Huddersfield Town, Kyle signed a four–year contract with the club.

Following his return from his loan spells at Huddersfield Town, Darlington and Rochdale throughout the 2000–01 season, Kyle was expected to be used in the first team. However, he was unable to force his way into a first team that boasted the striking talent of Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn. On 28 April 2001, Kyle made his debut for Sunderland, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Southampton. He made two more appearances for the club later in the 2000–01 season, both as a substitute.

At the start of the 2001–02 season, Kyle continued to play for Sunderland’s reserve team and scoring goals in the pre-season. He ended up staying at the club throughout the summer transfer window after being linked with a loan move, as Peter Reid wanted him to stay "for an emergency first team call up". On 12 September 2001, he made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute, in a 4–2 loss against Sheffield Wednesday in second round of the League Cup. Kyle continued to fight for his place in the first team but it was difficult for him to come by, with his playing time, coming from the substitute bench. On 22 December 2001, he made his first league appearance of the season, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute, in a 1–0 win against Everton. At the end of the 2001–02 season, Kyle made eight appearances in all competitions.