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Stephen Kingsley
Stephen Kingsley
from Wikipedia

Stephen Iain Kingsley (born 23 July 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian and the Scotland national team.

Key Information

He has previously played for Falkirk, Swansea City, and Hull City, as well as appearing for Yeovil Town and Crewe Alexandra on loan.

Career

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Falkirk

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Aged 16, Kingsley made his first-team debut for Falkirk on 12 April 2011 in a 2–1 win versus Partick Thistle in the Scottish First Division.[2] He sustained an injury in a 2011–12 Scottish League Cup tie against Brechin City that kept him out of action for over three months. He returned to the starting lineup in a League Cup win against Dundee United. In March 2013, Kingsley signed a new contract with Falkirk.[3] Kingsley made his 100th appearance for Falkirk on 5 April 2014, in a 5–0 victory over Cowdenbeath. He was also voted in to the SPFL Championship Team of the Year for season 2013–14.

Swansea City

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On 30 June 2014, Kingsley signed for Swansea City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[4]

On 18 February 2015, Kingsley joined English League One side Yeovil Town on a month's emergency loan which was later extended until the end of the season.[5] Kingsley played in numerous positions in his 12 appearances for the Glovers including left-back, centre-back and midfield, and received praise for his versatility from Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton.[6] Yeovil were subsequently relegated to League Two at the end of the season and Kingsley returned to Swansea City.

Kingsley joined English League One side Crewe Alexandra on an emergency loan in August 2015.[7] He made 12 appearances for them before returning to Swansea after the emergency loan expired in November.

He made his Swansea City debut in their FA Cup 3–2 defeat away to Oxford United, on 10 January 2016.[8] He made his Premier League debut on 2 March 2016 in Swansea's 2–1 victory away to Arsenal.[9]

Hull City

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Kingsley moved to Championship club Hull City in August 2017 for an undisclosed fee.[10] He was released by Hull at the end of the 2019–20 season.[11]

Heart of Midlothian

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Kingsley signed a one-year contract with Hearts on 6 October 2020.[11] He played and scored for Hearts in the 2020 Scottish Cup Final, which finished 3–3 after extra time, but his effort in the subsequent penalty shootout was saved by Conor Hazard as Hearts lost 4–3 on penalties.[12]

On 21 January 2021, Kingsley signed an 18-month contract extension with Hearts, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2021–22 season. He further extended his Hearts stay in January 2022, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract and keeping him at the club until the summer of 2025.[13] He then further extended his contract on 6 August 2024 with a new three-year contract until the summer of 2027.[14]

Kingsley quickly became known as an efficient taker of the direct free kick, scoring several long-range strikes for Hearts since joining.[15] He scored what proved to be the match-winning goal in the semi-final of the 2021–22 Scottish Cup – an Edinburgh derby against Hibernian – from a 30-yard free kick, albeit assisted with a wall pass from Liam Boyce.[16][17]

International career

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In April 2012 Kingsley was called up to the Scotland under-18 squad for two games against Serbia in Belgrade on the 17th and 19th of the month. He played 90 minutes in the first game, which ended 1–1, and 60 minutes in the second game, where Scotland won 4–1. In season 2012–13 he appeared for Scotland under-19s against Germany and the Netherlands. He was selected for the squad for the 2014 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification matches in October, playing in the third game against Switzerland. This was followed in March with an appearance in the friendly match against Sweden. In May he played in two of the Elite qualifying round games in Belgium against Belgium and Georgia. In March 2015, Kingsley made his Scotland under-21 debut in a 2–1 win against Hungary. This was followed up with four appearances for the side against France twice, Northern Ireland and Iceland in their Euro Championship Qualifying group.

On 20 May 2016, Kingsley received his first call-up to the Scotland national football team for their friendlies against Italy and France.[18] He made his Scotland debut as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against France, on 4 June 2016.[19]

Kingsley was recalled to the national team squad in September 2022 as a replacement for the injured Kieran Tierney and Scott McKenna.[20] He appeared as a substitute in a goalless draw with Ukraine that secured a promotion for Scotland in the UEFA Nations League.[21]

Career statistics

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As of 28 December 2025[22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Falkirk 2010–11[23] Scottish First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2011–12[24] Scottish First Division 15 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 17 0
2012–13[25] Scottish First Division 35 0 4 0 2 1 2[a] 0 43 1
2013–14[26] Scottish Championship 35 1 1 0 3 0 5[b] 0 44 1
Total 88 1 5 0 6 1 8 0 107 2
Swansea City 2014–15[27] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015–16[28] Premier League 4 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
2016–17[29] Premier League 13 0 1 0 0 0 14 0
Total 17 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2014–15[27] League One 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2015–16[28] League One 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Hull City 2017–18[30] Championship 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2018–19[31] Championship 26 0 0 0 1 0 27 0
2019–20[32] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Total 45 0 0 0 1 0 46 0
Heart of Midlothian 2020–21[33] Scottish Championship 20 4 2[c] 1 4 0 26 5
2021–22[34] Scottish Premiership 33 6 5 1 5 0 43 7
2022–23[35] Scottish Premiership 21 0 3 0 0 0 7[d] 0 31 0
2023–24[36] Scottish Premiership 32 1 4 0 3 0 4[e] 0 43 1
2024–25[37] Scottish Premiership 9 1 1 0 1 0 4 0 15 1
2025–26[38] Scottish Premiership 14 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 17 2
Total 129 13 15 2 16 1 15 0 175 16
Career total 303 14 22 2 23 2 23 0 371 18
  1. ^ a b Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ Four appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs, one appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Two appearances in the previous season's Scottish Cup which was rescheduled to October due to COVID-19
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Europa League, five appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

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As of match played 27 September 2022[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2016 1 0
2022 1 0
Total 2 0

Honours

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephen Iain Kingsley (born 23 July 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Heart of in the and has earned two caps for the national team. Kingsley began his career in the youth system at , where he made his senior debut in 2011 and accumulated over 100 appearances, including winning the in 2012. He transferred to Swansea City in 2014 and made 19 first-team appearances for them, in addition to loan spells at Town and Crewe Alexandra, before joining Hull City in 2017 for 46 outings across three seasons. In October 2020, he joined Heart of on a one-year deal, which he has since extended to 2027, becoming a key defender with 174 appearances and 15 goals as of November 2025, including a title in the 2020–21 season. Among his notable moments, Kingsley scored an iconic free-kick in the 2022 semi-final against Hibernian, securing a 2–1 victory and a place in the final for Hearts. He received his first call-up in 2016 and debuted in a friendly against that year, earning a second cap against in 2022. Standing at 1.78 meters, Kingsley is recognized for his set-piece expertise and defensive reliability in Scottish football.

Early life and youth career

Upbringing in Stirling

Stephen Kingsley was born on 23 July 1994 in , . He grew up in the Stirling area, attending High School as a . His family background included a strong connection to local football, with his father, Tony Kingsley, serving as a coach at Riverside FC during Stephen's early years and later at the Forth Valley Football Academy, which supports youth development for clubs like . Kingsley's early years in were shaped by the community's emphasis on sports and outdoor activities, fostering his initial exposure to team games. During primary school, he spent much of his time playing football for Riverside FC, a local boys' club in the area, where his father's role as coach provided direct guidance and encouragement. He later recalled these experiences as "really good fun," highlighting the enjoyable, informal nature of community-level play that built his foundational skills and enthusiasm. By around age 10, Kingsley's growing interest in football, nurtured through these local opportunities, prompted his transition to a more structured pathway by joining the academy. This move reflected the supportive environment of Stirling's scene, which emphasized progression from involvement to professional development.

Development at Falkirk academy

Kingsley, hailing from nearby , joined the academy in 2004 at the age of 10, identifying as a promising local talent with strong fundamentals in defense. His entry into organized football came through the club's , where he quickly adapted to structured training regimens designed to nurture technical proficiency and physical conditioning from an early age. Progressing steadily through the youth ranks, Kingsley advanced from initial age-group teams to the under-19 squad, honing his abilities in competitive matches and daily sessions. Key mentors, including , the club's influential director of football, played a pivotal role in his growth, providing guidance on tactical positioning and mental resilience during this formative period. Training emphasized defensive fundamentals, with a focus on one-on-one defending and crossing from the left flank, establishing him firmly as a left-back. By his mid-teens, Kingsley earned opportunities to train with the senior squad and feature in reserve fixtures, bridging the gap between and professional levels through consistent performances and hard work. These integrations allowed him to absorb higher-intensity drills and observe first-team dynamics, accelerating his overall development without yet committing to senior appearances.

Club career

Falkirk

Kingsley made his senior debut for Falkirk at the age of 16 on 12 April 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 victory over Partick Thistle in the Scottish First Division. This appearance marked the beginning of his transition from the club's youth academy to the first team, where he quickly established himself as a promising left-back. Over the next three seasons, Kingsley became a regular fixture in Falkirk's defense, making 108 appearances across all competitions and scoring 1 goal between 2011 and 2014. His contributions were particularly notable in the 2013–14 Scottish Championship, during which Falkirk mounted a strong promotion push, finishing third in the league table after a consistent campaign that saw them challenge leaders Dundee until the final matches. Kingsley featured in 43 matches that season, providing solid defensive performances and versatility by occasionally playing in central defense, though the team ultimately fell short in the promotion playoffs against Hamilton Academical. One of the highlights of Kingsley's time at was his role in the club's 2011–12 triumph. He featured in earlier rounds, including the quarter-final and semi-final, and was an unused substitute in the final as defeated Hamilton Academical 1–0 on 1 April 2012 at the , with Darren Dods scoring the decisive goal in the second minute and the team maintaining a clean sheet in a match where dominated possession and chances. In March 2013, Kingsley signed a new extension with , reflecting his growing importance to the team. However, his form attracted attention from higher divisions, leading to his departure in June 2014 when he joined City on a three-year for an undisclosed fee, reported in some outlets as an initial £100,000 with potential add-ons up to £850,000 based on appearances and performance milestones.

Swansea City

On 30 June 2014, Stephen Kingsley transferred from to Swansea City, signing a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old arrived with high expectations as a versatile defender, primarily deployed as a left-back but capable of shifting to centre-back, following his breakthrough performances in Scottish football. Kingsley's integration into Swansea's first team proved challenging amid stiff competition in the . Over three seasons from 2014 to 2017, he accumulated 17 appearances across all competitions, including league matches and domestic cups, often coming off the bench or filling in during injury crises. To build experience and adapt to the rigors of English professional football, he was sent on developmental loans within the lower tiers. In February 2015, Kingsley joined Town on a one-month emergency loan in League One, where he made 12 starts over 957 minutes. The move aimed to provide regular game time, but struggled with adaptation issues to the division's physicality and pace, ultimately suffering relegation to League Two despite Kingsley's contributions in defense. Later that year, in August 2015, he moved to Crewe Alexandra on a 93-day emergency loan, again in League One, recording 12 appearances for 820 minutes. Injuries, including a notable substitution due to a knock during a match against Colchester United, hampered his momentum and limited his ability to establish a consistent run in the side. Kingsley's limited opportunities at Swansea culminated in his departure from the club in 2017 after just 17 senior outings, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning from Scottish lower divisions to squad depths. His versatility across defensive positions remained a key attribute, allowing tactical flexibility during his sporadic appearances.

Hull City

Kingsley joined Hull City on 23 August 2017, signing a three-year for an undisclosed fee following his release from City. Primarily deployed as a left-back, he brought versatility from his prior loan spells, allowing him to cover multiple defensive positions when needed. Over his three seasons at Hull (2017–2020), Kingsley made 45 appearances across all competitions, contributing two assists but no goals. In 2017–18, he featured in 11 matches as Hull secured a mid-table finish of 18th in the , avoiding relegation. His involvement increased to 26 appearances the following season, helping the team to a more comfortable 13th place. Kingsley's time at Hull was marred by multiple injury setbacks, including a strain in October 2017 that led to a quad muscle issue, sidelining him for over a month, and a operation in December of the same year. Another injury in February 2020 against Queens Park Rangers further limited his starts, restricting him to just eight appearances in the 2019–20 campaign amid Hull's ultimately unsuccessful relegation battle, finishing 24th. These issues prevented consistent first-team integration, though he offered valuable depth during a transitional period for the club. In June 2020, Kingsley was released as a after rejecting a short-term contract extension amid the disruptions, ending his Hull tenure without a permanent successor in his position immediately secured.

Heart of Midlothian

Stephen Kingsley joined Heart of Midlothian on 6 October 2020 as a from Hull City, signing a one-year contract. He extended his deal on 21 January 2021 for 18 months, securing his stay until the end of the 2021–22 season, followed by another extension in January 2022. The most recent renewal came on 6 August 2024, a three-year agreement keeping him at the club until May 2027. At Hearts, Kingsley has established himself as a versatile defender, primarily operating as a left-back while occasionally filling in at centre-back. As of November 2025, he has made 170 appearances across all competitions, contributing 15 goals. His set-piece expertise, particularly from free-kicks, has been a notable asset in both defensive solidity and attacking transitions. Despite drawing on lessons from injury challenges experienced earlier in his career at Hull City, Kingsley has maintained a reputation as a model , embodying discipline and resilience in training and matches. One of Kingsley's standout contributions came in the 2021–22 campaign, where he scored a memorable free-kick in the semi-final against Hibernian on 16 2022. After a one-two with from 35 yards out, his strike secured a 2–1 victory, propelling Hearts to the final. He played a pivotal role throughout the run, helping the team lift the trophy with a penalty shoot-out win over Rangers in the final on 21 May 2022, marking Hearts' first success since 2012. In the 2023–24 season, Kingsley was instrumental in Hearts' third-place finish in the , qualifying the club for European competition. Under new head coach , appointed in May 2025, he has continued to feature prominently in the 2025–26 campaign, aiding the team's strong early form that saw them eight points clear at the top of the league by late October. Kingsley has also assumed leadership responsibilities on several occasions, captaining the side in matches and serving as a vocal presence in the dressing room.

International career

Youth international career

Kingsley's international career began at youth level with a call-up to the U18 squad in 2012 for a double-header against in . He featured in both matches, playing the full 90 minutes each time to earn his first two caps in the 1–1 draw and 4–1 victory. Progressing to the U19 side, Kingsley made six appearances in 2013, primarily during the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers. These included games against opponents such as and Georgia, where he contributed defensively as a left-sided player, helping in their qualification efforts despite not advancing to the finals. Kingsley earned his Scotland U21 debut in March 2015, substituting into a 2–1 friendly win over as one of six new call-ups to the . Over the following year, he accumulated six caps at this level, with notable performances in qualifiers for the , including matches against , , and , where he operated primarily as a left-back. His consistent displays, bolstered by solid form at Swansea City, highlighted his reliability in overlapping runs and defensive solidity. By 2016, Kingsley's youth international contributions had drawn attention from senior team selectors, marking his transition toward full international consideration.

Senior international career

Kingsley received his first senior call-up to the national team in May 2016 while on the books at Swansea City, selected by manager for upcoming friendlies against and amid injuries to other left-backs. He made his debut on 4 June 2016 in the friendly against at in , entering as a 69th-minute substitute for in a 0–3 defeat, providing defensive cover during Scotland's preparations for the upcoming season despite not qualifying for 2016. Kingsley's second cap arrived over six years later on 27 September 2022, when he was named in Steve Clarke's squad for matches against , earned through consistent performances at Heart of Midlothian following his return to Scottish football. He substituted in the 72nd minute for during the 0–0 away draw in , again in a defensive role as Scotland secured promotion from League B while vying for improved seeding in future and European qualifiers. As of November 2025, Kingsley has accumulated just two senior caps for , both as a late substitute totaling 42 minutes played, limited by intense competition at left-back from players like Andy Robertson and periodic club injuries that impacted his availability for further national team considerations.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Stephen Kingsley has recorded a total of 304 appearances and 14 goals in his senior as of November 2025. These figures encompass all domestic competitions, including league matches, national cups, and league cups, across his stints with various clubs and loan spells. The breakdown of his appearances and goals by club is detailed below, reflecting his progression from Scottish lower divisions to the English top flight and back to the .
ClubAppearancesGoals
881
Swansea City170
Hull City450
Heart of Midlothian13013
Yeovil Town (loan)120
Crewe Alexandra (loan)120
Total30414
Kingsley's contributions as a left-back include 9 assists throughout his , primarily from set-piece deliveries and overlapping runs. At Heart of Midlothian, several of his 13 goals came from direct free-kicks, highlighting his proficiency in dead-ball situations. For a season-by-season overview, his statistics are aggregated as follows, focusing on key competitions such as the (), and (, Hull), League One (loans), and (Hearts). Detailed match logs show consistent starts in defensive roles, with totals building progressively: early seasons at emphasized development (e.g., 2012–2014: ~70 apps, 1 goal); and loans provided English exposure (2014–2017: ~41 apps combined, 0 goals); Hull featured rotational play (2017–2020: 45 apps, 0 goals); and Hearts marked his peak output (2020–2025: 130 apps, 13 goals, including cups).

International statistics

Kingsley has represented the national team at senior level on two occasions, accumulating 2 caps and 0 goals as of November 2025, with no goals or assists recorded. At youth international levels, he earned 6 caps for the U21 team (0 goals), 6 caps for the U19 team (0 goals), and 2 caps for the U18 team (0 goals). The following table details his senior international appearances, including competition, date, opponent, minutes played, and match outcome:
DateCompetitionOpponentMinutes PlayedOutcome
4 June 2016International FriendlyFrance240–3 L
27 September 2022UEFA Nations LeagueUkraine180–0 D

Honours and achievements

Club honours

During his time at , Kingsley contributed to the club's victory in the in the 2011–12 season. He made appearances throughout the tournament, including starting and playing the full 90 minutes in the final against Hamilton Academical on 1 April 2012, which won 1–0 thanks to an early goal from Darren Dods. With Heart of , Kingsley played a significant role in winning the title in the 2020–21 season, securing automatic promotion to the . As a regular left-back, he featured in 21 league matches, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist, helping Hearts finish with 29 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses (91 points) to claim the championship. Kingsley has not won any other major club honours during his career.

Individual awards

In the 2015–16 season, Kingsley earned recognition as Swansea City's Under-21 Player of the Year for his consistent performances and development as a young left-back. Kingsley won Hearts' Goal of the Season for 2021–22 for his free-kick in the semi-final against Hibernian. At Heart of , Kingsley's strong form in the season, where he contributed to the team's third-place finish and victory, led to his inclusion in the SPFL's cinch Premiership Team of the Season as a defender. Following a challenging period at Hull City marked by injuries, Kingsley's revival at Hearts upon his return in 2020 highlighted his resilience, as he established himself as a reliable starter and key set-piece specialist without securing additional major individual honors such as PFA awards.

References

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