Sam Curtis
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Sam Curtis (born 1 December 2005) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a right-back or centre-back for EFL Championship club Sheffield United. He began his senior career with League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic. He is the League of Ireland's youngest ever player.[3]
Key Information
Club career
[edit]Youth career
[edit]A native of Navan, County Meath, Curtis began playing with his local side Parkvilla, before moving to the youth section of Dublin team, St Kevin's Boys.[4] He later joined the academy of League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers.[5] In June 2019, he captained the representative team for the Dublin District Schoolboys League that won the Kennedy Cup.[6] While at Rovers, he made his debut in senior football for the club's reserve team Shamrock Rovers II in Ireland's second tier, the League of Ireland First Division.[7] His debut came on 17 October 2020 in a 3–1 win over Athlone Town at age 14, making him the youngest player in League of Ireland history.[8] He spent time on trial at AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021.[9]
St Patrick's Athletic
[edit]2021 season
[edit]On 25 July 2021, it was announced that Curtis, as well as his brother Ben, had signed for St Patrick's Athletic, where they would initially play with the club's under 19 side.[10] Curtis made his senior debut for the club on 13 August 2021, replacing the injured Lee Desmond in injury time of a 2–1 win over Waterford at Richmond Park, making him the club's youngest ever player at 15 years and 255 days old (until that record was then broken by Mason Melia in 2023).[11][12] He made his UEFA Youth League debut on 29 September 2021 in a 2–1 loss to Serbian side Crvena Zvezda.[13]
2022 season
[edit]Both Sam and brother Ben Curtis signed their first professional contracts on 20 January 2022.[14][15][16] Curtis' first start for the club came on 6 May 2022 in a 4–0 win away to Drogheda United at United Park.[17] His form in May 2022 saw him voted as the club's Player of the Month by supporters.[18] His first appearances in European competition came in the summer of 2022 when he came off the bench in a 1–1 draw with NŠ Mura of Slovenia[19] and in a 1–0 away win against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa Conference League.[20] He won the clubs' Player of the Month award for the second time in the season, for September 2022.[21] He made a total of 20 appearances in all competitions during his first full season at the club.[7] His form in his breakthrough season at the club led to reported interest from Manchester City and Chelsea.[22][23][24][25][26][27]
2023 season
[edit]Curtis started the 2023 season off well, making the Right wingback position his own following the departure of Barry Cotter in the offseason. He started the first 6 games of the season in the position, leading up to the March international break which earned him his first callup to the Republic of Ireland U21 side with Pats assistant manager Jon Daly tipping him for a bright future in the game.[28] He earned the club's Player of the Month award for his performances in March 2023.[29] On 19 May 2023, Curtis scored the first goal of his senior career, heading home a Jake Mulraney corner in a 1–0 Dublin derby win away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.[30] He was voted as the club's Player of the Month for the second time in the season for May 2023.[31] On 30 June 2023, Curtis scored a header from a Jake Mulraney corner to give his side a 3-goal lead in an eventual 7–0 win over UCD at Richmond Park.[32] On 4 August 2023, he scored his 3rd goal of the season, volleying home his sides second goal in a 2–0 win away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds, in what was his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions.[33] On 28 October 2023, he was named as the club's Young Player of the Year for 2023.[34] On 12 November 2023, Curtis was part of the starting XI in the 2023 FAI Cup Final, in a 3–1 win over Bohemians in front of a record breaking FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881 at the Aviva Stadium.[35] On 15 November 2023, it was announced that Curtis had been included in the PFAI Team of the Year and was one of the 3 nominees for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award, alongside James Clarke and Jack Moylan.[36] On 2 December 2023, he was named PFAI Young Player of the Year for 2023, becoming the youngest ever player to win the award.[37][38]
Sheffield United
[edit]On 25 January 2024, Curtis signed for Premier League club Sheffield United for an undisclosed international training compensation fee, on a contract until 2027.[39][40][41] He was named in the squad for the first time on 25 February 2024, but remained an unused substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.[42] On 11 May 2024, he made his debut for the club, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute of a 1–0 loss away to Everton in the Premier League.[43]
Peterborough United loan
[edit]On 2 August 2024, Curtis joined EFL League One side Peterborough United on a season long loan deal.[44] He made his debut for the club on 10 August 2024, in a 2–0 loss at home to Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the season.[45] He was recalled from his loan on 2 January 2025 after making 19 appearances for the club in all competitions.[46]
St Johnstone loan
[edit]On 17 January 2025, Curtis was loaned to St Johnstone until the end of the season, with the side bottom of the Scottish Premiership at the time of joining.[47][48] He made his debut for the club the following day in a 1–0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Cup.[49] On 6 April 2025, he helped his side to a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Celtic at McDiarmid Park.[50]
Chesterfield loan
[edit]On 4 January 2026, it was announced that Curtis had signed for EFL League Two side Chesterfield on loan until the end of the season.[51][52][53] He made his debut the same day, scoring in a 2–2 draw away to Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium MK.[54] On 17 February 2026, he scored the only goal of the game to earn his side three points at home to Gillingham.[55]
International career
[edit]Curtis featured for the Republic of Ireland U15 side in 2019, captaining the side at age 13.[56] He was a prominent player for the Republic of Ireland U17s during their qualification campaign over 2021–2022, scoring 2 goals in 6 appearances.[57][58][59][60] Curtis captained the Republic of Ireland U18 side over 2021–2022.[61] His first call up to the Republic of Ireland U19 team came in September 2022.[12] Curtis received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 side came in March 2023, for a friendly against Iceland U21, despite still being just 17 years old.[62][63] He played the full 90 minutes in the game as his side came from behind to win 2–1 after playing an hour with 10 men.[64] On 20 June 2023, he was named as Republic of Ireland U18 Player of the Year for 2022 at the FAI International Football Awards.[65] On 6 September 2024, he scored his first goal for the U21s, scoring an 84th minute winner in his sides 1–0 victory away to Turkey.[66]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played on 15 May 2026[7]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Shamrock Rovers II | 2020 | LOI First Division | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| St Patrick's Athletic | 2021 | LOI Premier Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 0[d] | 0 | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 0[e] | 0 | 39 | 3 | |||
| Total | 53 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 3 | |||
| Sheffield United | 2023–24 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25 | EFL Championship | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2025–26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Peterborough United (loan) | 2024–25 | EFL League One | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0[f] | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| St Johnstone (loan) | 2024–25 | Scottish Premiership | 13 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
| Chesterfield (loan) | 2025–26 | EFL League Two | 22 | 2 | — | — | — | 2[g] | 0 | 24 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 108 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 124 | 5 | ||
- ^ Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup & Scottish Cup
- ^ Includes EFL Cup
- ^ a b Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup
- ^ Appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup
- ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
- ^ Appearances in the 2026 EFL League Two Playoffs
Honours
[edit]St Patrick's Athletic
Individual
- PFAI Young Player of the Year (1): 2023
- PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year (1): 2023
- St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year (1): 2023
- FAI Under-18 International Player of the Year (1): 2022
References
[edit]- ^ "Latest updated Premier League squad lists for 2023/24". Premier League. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ^ Sam Curtis at BeSoccer
- ^ "'I've seen kids go at 16 and come back a year later' – Sam Curtis ready for final goodbye after LOI journey". www.independent.ie. 12 November 2023.
- ^ "Sam Curtis in Republic of Ireland u-17 panel". Meath Chronicle. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ "Sam Curtis". www.stpatsfc.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ Moore, Hayden (20 June 2019). "Local boys help keep DDSL top". Echo.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Republic of Ireland - S. Curtis - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
- ^ Doyle, Garry (17 October 2020). "Fourteen-year-old Sam Curtis makes senior debut for Shamrock Rovers". The42.
- ^ Fallon, John (26 June 2021). "French club Rennes make offer for St Pat's star". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Fallon, John (25 July 2021). "St Pats sign Sam Curtis from Shamrock Rovers". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Walsh, Daire (14 August 2021). "Saints keep pace with Hoops following Waterford victory".
- ^ a b "Curtis Called Up To Ireland U19 Squad". www.stpatsfc.com.
- ^ Donnelly, Dave (29 September 2021). "St Pat's rally from two goals down but fall just short in Uefa Youth League first leg". The42.
- ^ O'Connor, Seán. "Curtis brothers sign professional contracts with Saints". extratime.com.
- ^ "Curtis brothers sign pro deals with St Patrick's Athletic". Meath Chronicle. 23 January 2022.
- ^ "Curtis brothers commit to St. Pat's with pro deals". LMFM.
- ^ O'Hehir, Paul (11 May 2022). "St Pat's wonderkid Sam Curtis tipped for a bright career". Irish Mirror.
- ^ "Log in or sign up to view". www.facebook.com.
- ^ Ward, Johnny (21 July 2022). "Forrester fires St Pat's to first-leg draw with Mura" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ Fennessy, Paul (4 August 2022). "Late goal sees St Pat's earn famous win in Bulgaria". The42.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ Ward, Johnny (10 October 2022). "Manchester City tracking St Pat's teenage star Curtis" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ Fallon, John (13 October 2022). "City scouts dispatched to watch Saints' wonderkid Curtis". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Fallon, John (2 November 2022). "Chelsea to rival Manchester City in hunt for St Pat's wonderkid Sam Curtis". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Stanley, Colman (10 October 2022). "Man City Interested In Signing St. Pat's Teenage Sensation Sam Curtis". Balls.ie.
- ^ Hobkinson, Matthew (15 October 2022). "Man City 'line up offer' for teenage sensation Curtis". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ "Man City racing to sign Sam Curtis after trial with giants - sources". Football Insider. 14 October 2022.
- ^ "St Pat's 17-year-old sensation Sam Curtis tipped for bright future". independent. 31 March 2023.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "Teenage star Sam Curtis lifts Jon Daly's Saints to Tolka Park triumph". Independent.ie. 19 May 2023.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "15-year-old Mason Melia becomes youngest Saints scorer in rout of UCD". Independent.ie. 30 June 2023.
- ^ Goulden, David (4 August 2023). "Saints punish Sligo mistakes to close gap at the top" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "2023 Awards Night Winners". www.stpatsfc.com.
- ^ Fenton, James (12 November 2023). "FAI Cup final recap: Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "PFAI Team of Year includes one Shamrock Rovers player". 15 November 2023 – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "Clean sweep for St Pat's at PFAI awards as Chris Forrester and Sam Curtis claim Player and Young Player of the Year gongs". Independent.ie. 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Curtis Named PFAI Young Player Of The Year". www.stpatsfc.com.
- ^ "Sam Curtis Joins Sheffield United". www.stpatsfc.com.
- ^ FC, Sheffield United (25 January 2024). "Exciting youngster joins Blades". Sheffield United FC.
- ^ "Sheff Utd sign Republic U21 defender Curtis". BBC Sport. 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Meath teen Sam Curtis on the bench as struggling Sheffield United lose at Wolves". The 42. Press Association. 25 February 2024.
- ^ "Teenager Sam Curtis makes Premier League debut for Sheffield United". Irish Independent. 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Sheffield United's Irish teen Sam Curtis is going out on a season-long loan to League One's Peterborough". Irish Independent. 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Posh conceded twice in the final 10 minutes of the first-half at London Road". Peterborough Telegraph. 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Curtis Recalled By Blades". www.theposh.com. 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
- ^ "Ex-Saint Sam Curtis steeled for relegation battle after loan move to Scotland". Irish Independent. 17 January 2025.
- ^ "St Johnstone sign Sheffield United defender Curtis on loan". BBC Sport. 17 January 2025.
- ^ Nicolson, Eric (18 January 2025). "St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari knows his team have a lot of work to do but players and fans deserved chance to celebrate together".
- ^ "Celtic stunned as they lose to bottom side St Johnstone for first time in almost 10 years". The 42. Press Association. 6 April 2025.
- ^ FC, Sheffield United (4 January 2026). "Curtis joins the Spireites". Sheffield United FC.
- ^ "Trio signed on loan | Chesterfield FC".
- ^ "Chesterfield sign Sam Curtis, Sammy Braybrooke and Sil Swinkels". BBC Sport. 4 January 2026.
- ^ "Curtis wastes no time in making mark at Chesterfield". 4 January 2026 – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ https://www.countytimes.co.uk/sport/national/25864032.chesterfield-see-off-gillingham-thanks-early-sam-curtis-goal/
- ^ "2019 Review: Ireland U15 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
- ^ "MU17 | Review of 2022 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
- ^ "Sam Curtis in Republic of Ireland u-17 panel". Meath Chronicle. 2 September 2021.
- ^ "Sam and Ben Curtis add to international experience". Meath Chronicle. 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Ireland's U17 Euro hopes end despite fight-back". 29 March 2022 – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "Curtis looking to lead Irish to more success". Meath Chronicle. 16 November 2022.
- ^ "PREVIEW | Ireland U21 v Iceland U21 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
- ^ "Saints Named In U21 Squad". www.stpatsfc.com.
- ^ O'Connell, Dylan (26 March 2023). "Cannon and Kenny strike as 10-man Ireland overcome Iceland". The42.
- ^ "Winners unveiled at the 33rd FAI International Awards | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
- ^ "Sam Curtis strikes late as Ireland U21s take another step towards historic Euro qualification". Irish Independent. 6 September 2024.
Sam Curtis
View on GrokipediaClub career
Youth career
Sam Curtis was born on 1 December 2005 in Navan, County Meath, Ireland.[1] He began his youth football career with local club Parkvilla before progressing to the youth setup of St Kevin's Boys in Dublin.[8] In July 2019, Curtis joined the academy of Shamrock Rovers, one of Ireland's premier clubs.[9] His development accelerated rapidly, leading to two appearances for Shamrock Rovers II in the League of Ireland First Division during the 2020 season, when he was just 14 years old.[4] On 17 October 2020, he made his debut for the reserve team against Athlone Town, becoming the youngest player to feature for a Shamrock Rovers senior side in the club's history.[10] Curtis transferred to the St Patrick's Athletic academy in July 2021, where his early promise as a versatile defender marked him as one of Irish youth football's rising talents.[11] This move underscored his swift ascent through the ranks, building on his precocious exposures at Shamrock Rovers.[8]St Patrick's Athletic
Curtis joined St Patrick's Athletic from Shamrock Rovers in July 2021 and made his senior debut for the club on 13 August 2021, substituting into a 2–1 League of Ireland Premier Division home win over Waterford at the age of 15 years and 255 days, becoming the youngest player in the club's history.[8] His initial appearances that season were limited, featuring as a substitute in four league matches as a versatile defender capable of playing right-back or centre-back. Curtis signed his first professional contract with St Patrick's Athletic in January 2022 and established himself as a first-team regular over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, often deployed at right-back.[8] Across all competitions from his 2021 debut through to early 2024, he made 53 appearances and scored 3 goals, contributing solidity to the defense while occasionally venturing forward to support attacks.[8] In the 2023 FAI Cup, Curtis played a key role in St Patrick's Athletic's successful campaign, starting in the final on 12 November where the team defeated Bohemians 3–1 at the Aviva Stadium to secure the trophy.[12] His defensive contributions in the match included a crucial clearance to thwart a Bohemians chance early in the second half, helping maintain the lead en route to victory.[13] Curtis's performances in the 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division earned him the PFAI Young Player of the Year award in December 2023, recognizing his emergence as one of the league's top young talents at just 18 years old.[14] His time at St Patrick's Athletic ended in January 2024 when, following the expiration of his contract, he departed the club to pursue opportunities abroad.[15]Sheffield United
In January 2024, Sam Curtis signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Sheffield United, committing to the club until June 2027, for an undisclosed international training compensation fee from St Patrick's Athletic.[16][17] He initially joined the club's U21 development squad to continue his progression in English football.[18] Curtis made his first-team debut for Sheffield United on 11 May 2024, substituting into a Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park, where he played the final 27 minutes in a 1–0 defeat.[19][20] His second senior appearance came on 13 August 2025 in the EFL Cup first round against Birmingham City, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 loss.[21] As of November 2025, these remain his only outings for the senior squad, with no goals scored.[21][22] Upon arrival, Curtis integrated into Sheffield United's Championship setup, regularly training with the first team under manager Chris Wilder to adapt to the increased physicality and tactical demands of English professional football.[23][2] As of November 2025, he holds squad number 29 and, following loan spells at Peterborough United and St Johnstone during the 2024–25 season, is positioned for greater opportunities within the Blades' squad.[2]Peterborough United (loan)
On 2 August 2024, Sam Curtis joined EFL League One club Peterborough United on loan from Sheffield United until the end of the 2024–25 season, with the move designed to provide the 18-year-old defender with consistent first-team experience in English football's third tier.[24] The agreement was initially set for the full campaign, allowing Curtis to compete for a starting role at right-back amid Peterborough's ambitions for promotion.[25] Curtis quickly adapted to League One's physical demands, making his debut in a 2–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town on 10 August 2024, where he started and played the full 90 minutes as a right-back. Over the first half of the season, he featured in 19 appearances across all competitions—17 in League One (14 starts), one in the EFL Cup, and one in the FA Cup—contributing defensively with solid tackling and positioning but recording no goals or assists in 1,166 total minutes. Primarily deployed on the right flank, Curtis supported Peterborough's attacking play while helping maintain a competitive edge in their promotion push. He received five yellow cards during his spell, reflecting his aggressive style praised by manager Darren Ferguson as "an aggressive defender who will get forward and support the attack."[26] Curtis's loan was cut short when Sheffield United recalled him on 2 January 2025, following 19 outings that enhanced his physical robustness and tactical awareness in a high-tempo league environment.[27] The parent club highlighted the spell as a successful step in his development, noting improved maturity and readiness for senior challenges upon his return.[2]St Johnstone (loan)
On 17 January 2025, Sam Curtis joined St Johnstone on loan from Sheffield United until the end of the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership season, aiming to gain valuable top-flight experience in a competitive environment.[28][29] The move came after a brief stint on loan at Peterborough United earlier in the season, providing Curtis with an opportunity to build on his developing defensive skills in a new league. Curtis quickly integrated into the St Johnstone squad, making his debut the following day in a 1–0 Scottish Cup fourth-round victory over Motherwell, where he started at right-back and contributed to a solid defensive display that secured a clean sheet.[30] Over the course of the loan, he featured in 13 Scottish Premiership appearances, primarily as a right-back but demonstrating versatility by occasionally shifting to central defense amid the team's injury concerns and relegation battle.[22] His regular starts highlighted his adaptation to the physical demands of Scottish football, which emphasized robust tackling and aerial duels, areas where Curtis excelled by winning a high percentage of challenges.[31] Key performances included a standout showing in St Johnstone's 1–0 league win against Ross County in February 2025, where Curtis recorded the most tackles in the match (five) and won nine duels while helping maintain a clean sheet.[32] He also started in the memorable 1–0 upset victory over Celtic at McDiarmid Park in April, contributing to a disciplined backline that frustrated the league leaders and provided crucial points in the survival fight.[33] However, challenges arose in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic later that month, a 0–5 defeat where Curtis was caught out on an interception leading to one of the goals, underscoring the step-up in intensity against top opposition.[34] Despite St Johnstone's eventual relegation to the Scottish Championship on 15 May 2025, Curtis's contributions were praised for adding youth and energy to the defense during a tough campaign, with one assist recorded in league play.[35][22] He returned to Sheffield United on 1 July 2025, with the loan regarded as a key developmental step toward securing a more prominent role in the first team.International career
Youth international career
Curtis began his youth international career with the Republic of Ireland U15 team in 2019, captaining the side during friendlies at the age of 13 and making multiple appearances, including three in 2020 friendlies where he logged 229 minutes. He progressed to the U16 level, earning call-ups and contributing as a defender in development matches. These early experiences highlighted his leadership potential and defensive composure from a young age. At the U17 level, Curtis became a prominent figure during the 2021–2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification campaign, appearing in six matches and scoring two goals, including the fourth in a 5–1 victory over Luxembourg in October 2021 and an equalizer in a 2–1 loss to Poland in March 2022. His performances underscored his versatility and attacking contributions from the backline, helping Ireland compete in Group 12 qualifiers. Curtis captained the Republic of Ireland U18 team across 2021–2022, featuring in four friendly internationals and earning recognition for his reliability in defense. He was named the Republic of Ireland U18 Player of the Year at the 2022 FAI International Awards for his consistent performances and leadership. Transitioning to the U19 squad, his debut call-up came in September 2022 for the first round of UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers in Wales, where he made six appearances overall in competitive fixtures. By 2023, Curtis had accumulated 23 caps across Ireland's youth teams from U15 to U19, scoring three goals in total, establishing himself as a key prospect in the national setup through his participation in UEFA qualifiers and friendlies.Senior international career
Curtis made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21 team on 26 March 2023, starting in a 2–1 friendly victory over Iceland at Turner's Cross in Cork, where he provided the assist for Johnny Kenny's equalizing goal via a throw-in.[36][37] By November 2025, he had earned 19 caps and scored 2 goals for the U21s across UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers and friendlies, establishing himself as a reliable right-back under head coach Jim Crawford.[38] His contributions included consistent starts in key qualifying matches, such as the 3–2 friendly win against Croatia in June 2024, where he assisted Sinclair Armstrong's goal with a precise low cross from the right flank.[39] In the 2023–25 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign, Curtis played a pivotal role in Ireland's efforts, featuring in all group stage fixtures against teams including Turkey, Latvia, Norway, and Italy. A highlight came on 6 September 2024, when he scored the winning goal in the 84th minute during a 1–0 away victory over Turkey in Istanbul, securing three crucial points and helping Ireland climb to second in their group.[40] Despite Ireland's failure to qualify for the finals in Slovakia, Curtis's defensive solidity and attacking overlaps were noted for providing balance to the backline, with his performances earning praise for maturity beyond his years.[41] As of November 2025, Curtis has not yet received a senior cap for the Republic of Ireland, though his rapid progression through the youth ranks has positioned him on the national team's watchlist for potential future call-ups. He was highlighted as a strong candidate for a senior debut in 2025 analyses, reflecting his form at club level and U21 exploits.[42]Career statistics
Club statistics
Sam Curtis's professional club career statistics, encompassing all competitions, are detailed below as of November 11, 2025.| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Patrick's Athletic | 2021–2024 | 60 | 3 | 6 |
| Sheffield United | 2024– | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Peterborough United (loan) | 2024–25 | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| St Johnstone (loan) | 2025 | 17 | 0 | 1 |
International statistics
Sam Curtis has earned 39 caps and scored 5 goals for Republic of Ireland national teams across youth levels as of his most recent U21 appearance in 2025.[38] His international record includes participation in UEFA European Championship qualifiers, friendlies, and youth tournaments, with no senior appearances to date. The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by age group, incorporating competition types such as qualifiers and friendlies:| Age Group | Appearances | Goals | Key Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| U15–U19 | 20 | 3 | UEFA U17/U19 EURO qualifiers (e.g., 6 apps, 2 goals in U17 qualifiers vs. opponents including San Marino and Hungary, with wins like 4-0 and 2-1); FIFA youth friendlies (e.g., U18 matches vs. Germany and Czech Republic, resulting in draws and losses); youth tournaments |
| U21 | 19 | 2 | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers (e.g., 10 apps, 1 goal, including a 2-1 win vs. Iceland in 2023 and a 1-0 win vs. Croatia in 2025); international friendlies (e.g., 2:3 loss vs. Croatia in 2024, where he scored) |
| Senior | 0 | 0 | N/A |