Hubbry Logo
Will KeaneWill KeaneMain
Open search
Will Keane
Community hub
Will Keane
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Will Keane
Will Keane
Will Keane
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

William David Keane (born 11 January 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for EFL Championship club Preston North End and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Key Information

He began his career with Manchester United, having joined them at the age of 11, but made just three appearances for the first team and had loan spells with Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston North End before making a permanent move to Hull City in 2016. Following a loan spell at Ipswich Town in 2019, he was released by Hull at the end of the 2018–19 season. Keane joined Ipswich permanently on a one-year deal in August 2019.

Keane joined Wigan Athletic on a 3-month contract in October 2020 after his release by Ipswich. After scoring five goals in 12 appearances by January 2021, he was offered a contract until the end of the season. Keane then signed a new two-year deal with Latics ahead of the 2021–22 season.

In September 2021, at the age of 28, Keane was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time, having declared his interest in playing for Ireland in 2019. He qualifies for Ireland through his father.

His twin brother, Michael, is also a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Everton and England. Ironically, Michael became a full England international after a youth career with the Republic of Ireland whereas Will became a full Republic of Ireland international after a youth career with England.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Stockport, Greater Manchester,[2] Keane and his twin brother Michael grew up in the suburb of Heaton Mersey and attended St Bede's College in south Manchester.[4] They were spotted playing football for South Manchester by Manchester United at the age of 11, and soon joined the club's academy coaching system.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Manchester United

[edit]

Keane worked his way up through the Manchester United academy, and made his first appearance for the under-18s on 21 April 2007 against Sheffield United, a game in which both sides had agreed to field their under-16 teams; at the age of 14, Keane came on as a substitute for goalscorer Tomos Roberts in the 77th minute of a 4–0 away win.[6] His next appearance for the under-18s came almost two years later, when he started in central midfield in a 1–0 home defeat to Stoke City on 21 February 2009.[7] Shortly before their 16th birthday earlier in the year, both Keanes were awarded three-year scholarships with Manchester United, which began in July 2009.[5]

Keane celebrating a goal for Manchester United reserves in 2011

The following season, Keane became a regular starter for the under-18s, scoring 13 goals in 26 appearances in 2009–10, including all three goals in a 3–0 win at home to Manchester City;[8] he also made several substitute appearances for the reserves. His reserve debut came as a substitute in a 1–0 league win away to Everton on 6 October 2009,[9] and he scored his first goal five months later, in Manchester United's penultimate group match in the Manchester Senior Cup against Stockport County on 8 March 2010; after coming on for Nicky Ajose on the hour mark, Keane scored 14 minutes later to give Manchester United a 1–0 win.[10]

At the end of the season, Keane made a substitute appearance for the reserves in the Premier Reserve League Play-off Final against Aston Villa. After the game finished 1–1, the teams went to penalties, where Keane missed United's third penalty in a 3–2 shoot-out victory to win the Premier Reserve League title.[11] Keane's performances during the 2009–10 season saw him receive the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.[12]

Despite making just 17 appearances for the under-18s in 2010–11, Keane finished as the team's top scorer with 16 goals, including eight in just six FA Youth Cup matches – three in the semi-final second leg against Chelsea[13] and three more over the two legs of the final against Sheffield United.[14][15] He also scored six goals in 10 appearances for the reserves; only a missed penalty denied him a hat-trick in a 5–1 win over Newcastle United on 16 December 2010, Ole Gunnar Solskjær's final match as manager.[16]

Keane was ever-present for the reserves in the league in 2011–12, scoring 14 times in 22 appearances, as well as four more in seven cup appearances. His best performance of the season came on 16 April 2012, when he scored four in a 6–3 win away to Newcastle United to confirm Manchester United as winners of the Premier Reserve League North.[17] They again faced Aston Villa in the championship play-off, and again the match went to penalties, but this time Keane scored from his kick as United won 3–1.[18] Keane was on the scoresheet again a week later as United made it a double with a 2–0 victory over Manchester City in the final of the Manchester Senior Cup.[19]

After being named as an unused substitute for a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on 5 February 2011[20] and a 3–0 win over Aldershot Town in the fourth round of the 2011–12 Football League Cup on 25 October 2011,[21] Keane made his senior debut on 31 December 2011 in a 3–2 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League, coming on as a late substitute for Rafael.[22]

A knee ligament injury suffered while on international duty with the England under-19s in May 2012 kept Keane out for the entire 2012–13 season. He made his return for the under-21s at home to Bolton Wanderers on 16 September 2013, scoring the first goal in a 4–1 win.[23] Three more goals followed in the under-21s' next two matches, against Bury and Bolton in the Manchester Senior Cup.[24][25]

Wigan Athletic (loan)

[edit]

On 28 November 2013, Keane joined fellow Manchester United youngster Nick Powell on a one-month loan at Wigan Athletic.[26] He made his debut at home to Derby County the following weekend, only to be replaced by Grant Holt at half-time with Wigan 3–0 down; they went on to lose the game 3–1.[27] After failing to find the net in four appearances for Wigan, Keane returned to Manchester United in December 2013 having suffered a groin injury.[28][29]

Queens Park Rangers (loan)

[edit]

After recovering from injury, Keane made a loan move to Queens Park Rangers on 31 January 2014 until the end of the 2013–14 season.[30] He made 10 appearances during the second half of the 2013–14 season as QPR won promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs.[31]

Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

[edit]

On 22 January 2015 Keane joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the remainder of the season. He made his Wednesday debut on 27 January in a 0–0 draw at Hillsborough against Birmingham City. His first senior goal came from the penalty spot to draw level in the Owls' 1–1 home draw to Cardiff City on 7 February. He made 13 appearances during his loan at Sheffield Wednesday, scoring three goals.[32]

Preston North End (loan)

[edit]

On 8 July 2015, Keane signed on a season-long loan deal with Preston North End.[33] On 31 December 2015, Manchester United recalled Keane from his loan.[34] He made 22 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell at Deepdale, scoring twice.[35]

Hull City

[edit]

On 30 August 2016, Keane signed a permanent deal with Hull City; the player moved to the Tigers on a three-year deal, reuniting with ex-Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan.[36] He made his debut on 10 September 2016 away to Burnley when he came off the bench to replace Adama Diomande after 70 minutes.[37] On 6 November 2016, during a match against Southampton, Keane suffered the second serious knee ligament injury of his career, putting him out of action until January 2018.[38] He scored his first goal for the club on 10 April 2018, the final goal in a 0–5 away win against Burton Albion.[39]

Ipswich Town (loan)

[edit]

On 4 January 2019, Keane signed for Ipswich Town on loan until the end of the season.[40] He made his debut for the club as a second-half substitute in a 0–1 FA Cup away loss to Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground.[41] He scored his first goal for the club on his home debut in a 1–0 win over Rotherham United at Portman Road, on 12 January 2019.[42] He made 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys during his loan spell, scoring three goals.[43]

He was released by Hull City at the end of the 2018–19 season.[44]

Ipswich Town

[edit]

On 20 August 2019, Keane signed with Ipswich Town permanently on a free transfer. He signed a one-year contract, with the option of an additional 12 months.[45] He made his first appearance following his return to the club as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw with Doncaster Rovers at Portman Road on 14 September.[46] He scored his first goal of the season on 8 October, netting the fourth goal in a 4–0 home win over Gillingham in a group stage match of the EFL Trophy.[47] Keane scored his first league goal of the season on 7 December in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.[48]

With football suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with his contract expiring, on 18 May 2020 the club announced they had decided against taking up the additional 12-month option in Keane's contract, or offer him a new deal, and he subsequently left the club. He had scored six goals in 29 appearances in all competitions during the season.[49]

Return to Wigan Athletic

[edit]

On 9 October 2020, Keane joined Wigan Athletic on a short-term contract until 9 January 2021, as Latics rebuilt their squad after entering administration and suffering relegation from the Championship in the 2019–20 season.[50] He made his debut a day later, starting in a 0–3 loss to Crewe Alexandra.[51] He scored his first goal for Wigan on 24 October, scoring the equalising goal in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle.[52]

On 15 January 2021, Keane signed a contract extension to keep him at the club for the rest of the season.[53] By May, Keane had scored 11 goals in 34 games for Wigan in all competitions in the 2020–21 season.

In June 2021, Keane signed a new two-year contract with Wigan.[54] In the 2021-22 EFL League One campaign, Keane would finish as top goalscorer with 26 goals.[55]

Preston North End

[edit]

In July 2023, Keane moved to Championship side Preston North End for an undisclosed fee.[56]

He was Preston's top scorer in the 2023–24 season with 13 goals and had his contract extended at the end of that season until 2026.[57]

International career

[edit]

England youth

[edit]

Born in England to an Irish father, Keane was eligible to play for either England or the Republic of Ireland.[58] Keane debuted for the England under-16 team in a 3–1 win against Russia in 2009. He scored one goal in three appearances for the side. He was part of the England under-17 team that won the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, appearing in the final.[59] He made a total of 15 appearances and scored three goals for the team. He then progressed to the under-19 side where he made six appearances and scored one goal.

He received a call up to the under-21 side managed by Stuart Pearce in November 2011, and received praise from Manchester United reserve team manager Warren Joyce, with Joyce saying Keane deserved the call up after his good form for the reserve team.[60] He made his first appearance during a 5–0 win against Iceland, coming off the bench to replace midfielder Josh McEachran in the 78th minute. He appeared in the following game four days later against Belgium, this time coming on as a substitute for Marvin Sordell. On 25 May 2012, he scored twice as England under-19s beat Slovenia 5–0 at Deepdale.

Republic of Ireland

[edit]

In 2019, it was reported that Keane was set to declare for the Republic of Ireland after he met with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. In February 2019, in Ipswich match notes, he confirmed that he wanted to play for Ireland and that he hoped to be included in Ireland squads in the coming months, confirming that he had declared for Ireland.[61]

On 30 September 2021, Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny included Keane in his squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Azerbaijan and the international friendly against Qatar, although Keane did not make the matchday squad for either game.[62] He made his debut for Ireland in a World Cup qualifier against Portugal on 11 November 2021.[63]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 29 May 2025

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2011–12[64] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13[65] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[31] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014–15[32] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015–16[35] Premier League 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2013–14[31] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2013–14[31] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2014–15[32] Championship 13 3 0 0 0 0 — 13 3
Preston North End (loan) 2015–16[35] Championship 20 1 0 0 2 1 — 22 2
Hull City 2016–17[66] Premier League 5 0 0 0 1 0 — 6 0
2017–18[67] Championship 9 1 1 0 0 0 — 10 1
2018–19[43] Championship 8 0 0 0 2 0 — 10 0
Total 22 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 26 1
Ipswich Town (loan) 2018–19[43] Championship 11 3 1 0 0 0 — 12 3
Ipswich Town 2019–20[68] League One 23 3 4 1 0 0 2[a] 2 29 6
Total 34 6 5 1 0 0 2 2 41 9
Wigan Athletic 2020–21[69] League One 32 10 1 0 0 0 1[a] 1 34 11
2021–22[70] League One 44 26 3 0 1 0 2[a] 1 50 27
2022–23[71] Championship 42 12 2 0 0 0 — 44 12
Total 118 48 6 0 1 0 3 2 128 50
Preston North End 2023–24[72] Championship 38 13 1 0 1 0 0 0 40 13
2024–25[73] Championship 27 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 31 4
Total 65 16 4 1 2 0 0 0 71 17
Career total 288 75 17 2 8 1 5 4 318 82
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

International

[edit]
As of match played 7 September 2023
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2021 1 0
2022 3 0
2023 1 0
Total 5 0

Honours

[edit]

Manchester United

Wigan Athletic

England U17

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Will Keane

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
William David Keane (born 11 January 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Preston North End. Born in , , Keane began his youth career with South Manchester Juniors before joining the Manchester United academy in 2004, where he progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut in 2011. He spent the early part of his professional career on loan from Manchester United to clubs including Queens Park Rangers (2013–2014), Preston North End (2015–2016), and Sheffield Wednesday (2014–2015), gaining experience in the . In 2016, Keane signed permanently with Hull City, where he played in both the and until 2019, followed by a stint at Ipswich Town from 2019 to 2020. Keane's career gained significant momentum at Athletic, where he joined in 2020 and became the League One top scorer in the 2021–2022 season with 26 goals, helping the team secure promotion as champions. He returned to Preston North End on a permanent basis in July 2023, signing a two-year contract that was later extended until 2026, and has since contributed 19 goals in 85 appearances as of November 2025. Internationally, Keane, who holds dual Irish and English citizenship, earned his first senior call-up for the in September 2021 and has won five caps without scoring. He is the twin brother of Everton defender Michael Keane.

Background

Early life

Will Keane was born on 11 January 1993 in , , . He was raised in the nearby suburb of , where he spent his early years immersed in a football-oriented environment. From a young age, Keane showed a keen interest in football, beginning to play competitively for the local youth team South Manchester Juniors. This grassroots experience helped hone his skills in south 's vibrant youth football scene. In 2004, at the age of 11, Keane joined the United academy, marking the start of his structured development within one of the world's premier youth systems. During his youth years, Keane attended St Bede's College, a in south , balancing academic studies with intensive football training.

Family background

Will Keane was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, to parents Aidan and an unnamed mother. Keane's twin brother, Michael Keane, is also a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Everton in the Premier League and has represented the England national team; both brothers joined the Manchester United academy at a young age and progressed through its youth ranks together. The Keane brothers have at least two other siblings. The Keane family's Irish heritage stems primarily from their father, Aidan Keane, who was born in Sligo, , and orphaned at a young age before attending a in . Adopted at the age of 10, Aidan was relocated to , , which severed much of his direct connection to his Irish roots due to the circumstances of his early life. Will's decision to pursue international opportunities with the has played a role in helping his father reconnect with that heritage. Further embedding football within the family legacy, Will Keane is married to Megan Heath, making former professional player his father-in-law; Heath had a notable career as a forward for clubs including Everton, where he contributed to their 1984 victory, and .

Club career

Manchester United (2004–2016)

Will Keane joined Manchester United's academy at the age of 11 in 2004, beginning a 12-year association with the club. He progressed steadily through the youth ranks, making his under-18 debut on 21 April 2007 in a 3–1 victory over Sheffield United. By the 2009–10 season, Keane had established himself as a prolific scorer for the U18s, netting 13 goals in 26 appearances and earning the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award for his contributions. Keane continued to impress in youth competitions, becoming a standout performer in the 2010–11 campaign. As United's leading goalscorer with five goals across the tournament, he delivered a in the second leg of the final against Sheffield United on 23 May 2011, securing a 4–0 win on the night and a 6–3 aggregate victory for the club's 10th Youth Cup title. His form at youth level, where he amassed numerous goals despite occasional setbacks from minor injuries, positioned him as one of the academy's most promising forwards, often compared to established strikers for his physical presence and finishing ability. Keane's senior breakthrough came on 31 December 2011, when he made his debut as a late substitute for in a 3–2 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers. However, first-team opportunities remained scarce amid intense competition and persistent injury issues, including a tear in June 2012 that sidelined him for the entire 2012–13 season. In total, he recorded just three senior appearances for Manchester United—all as a substitute—with no goals; his other outings included a brief substitute role in the fifth-round win over Town on 22 February 2016.) Despite his talent, Keane struggled to break into the first team regularly, hampered by injuries and the club's depth in attack. Following his recall from a loan at Preston North End in January 2016 and limited involvement thereafter, he departed Manchester United in the summer of 2016, transferring permanently to Hull City for an undisclosed fee reported around £1 million.

Wigan Athletic (loan, 2013–2014)

In November 2013, at the age of 20, Will Keane joined Wigan Athletic on a short-term from Manchester United to gain senior experience following a lengthy recovery from a that had kept him out for 16 months. The move was intended for youth development but quickly transitioned to first-team opportunities in the , though it proved challenging from the outset as manager was sacked the day after Keane's arrival. Keane made four appearances across all competitions during the stint, all as a substitute, including matches in the and . He failed to score any goals and had limited impact, struggling to adapt to the physical demands of senior professional football after his injury absence. The loan was cut short in late December 2013 when Keane suffered a groin injury, prompting his return to Manchester United in January 2014; the brief spell was later described as a valuable, albeit difficult, learning experience in rebuilding match fitness and sharpness.

Queens Park Rangers (loan, 2013–2014)

On 31 January 2014, Will Keane joined Queens Park Rangers on a loan from Manchester United until the end of the 2013–14 season, arriving as part of a deadline-day influx of forwards to bolster the squad's promotion push in the Championship. This move came shortly after a brief stint at Wigan Athletic earlier that season, where he had gained initial senior experience with four appearances. Keane made his QPR debut as a substitute in a 2–1 home win against on 8 February 2014, entering in the second half to provide fresh energy up front alongside established strikers like . Over the course of the loan, he featured in 10 matches, all as a substitute, accumulating 289 minutes without scoring but contributing to the team's attacking depth during a crucial run-in. His role was often as an impact player off the bench, helping to maintain pressure in games as QPR chased automatic promotion before securing a play-off spot. Manager praised Keane's work rate and potential, noting his ability to press defenders and link play effectively despite limited starts, which were hampered by stiff competition from loanees like Kevin Doyle and Modibo Maiga, as well as the in-form Austin. Keane's efforts aligned with QPR's late-season surge, culminating in a 1–0 victory over Derby County in the play-off final on 24 May 2014 to earn promotion back to the , though his individual impact remained modest in a squad prioritizing experience.

Sheffield Wednesday (loan, 2014–2015)

In January 2015, Will Keane joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan from Manchester United, arriving to bolster the Championship side's attacking options under manager Stuart Gray. The move provided Keane with an opportunity to build on limited appearances from prior loans at Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers, where he had contributed to squad depth without finding the net. Keane quickly adapted, making his debut in a goalless draw against Bolton Wanderers on 31 January and becoming a regular substitute with occasional starts. Over 13 appearances, he scored three goals, marking his breakthrough in senior football. His first Championship goal arrived on 7 February in a 1–1 home draw with Cardiff City, converting a second-half penalty to earn a point. Keane followed this with a strike in a 3–2 defeat at Derby County on 21 February, tapping in from close range, and sealed his tally with the winner in a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough on 28 February, finishing a cross in the 87th minute. Gray praised Keane's movement off the ball, technical finishing, and partnership with striker Stevie May, describing him as "technically very gifted" and predicting he would "reach the top." Despite his promising form, Keane's loan spell was interrupted by a medial ligament injury sustained in early February, which sidelined him briefly but allowed a return for substitute roles in March and April. He featured in Sheffield Wednesday's final matches, including a 1–1 draw at on 2 May, helping the team to a 13th-place finish. Upon returning to Manchester United in May , Keane reflected that the experience had reignited his ambitions for first-team involvement at , providing essential senior exposure in a competitive league.

Preston North End (loan, 2015)

On 8 July 2015, Will Keane joined Preston North End on a season-long loan from Manchester United, arriving as part of the club's preparations for their return to the following promotion from League One the previous season. The 22-year-old forward was expected to provide attacking depth and competition up front for manager , drawing on his prior loan experience at Sheffield Wednesday where he had scored three goals in 13 appearances earlier that year. Keane made an immediate impact in cup competition, scoring his first goal for Preston in a 3–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the second round on 12 August 2015, opening the scoring with a clinical finish after latching onto a through ball. However, his progress was hampered by a injury sustained during the league match against MK Dons on 22 August 2015, which forced him off and caused him to miss the subsequent Capital One Cup tie against . Despite the setback, Keane adapted well to the demands of the second tier, featuring regularly as a starter or substitute and contributing to Preston's solid mid-table campaign. His only Championship goal came on 5 December 2015 in a 2–0 derby win at , where he outshone his twin brother Michael Keane by firing home from the edge of the box after a powerful run, securing the victory alongside Daniel Johnson's late strike. In total, Keane made 20 appearances in the and 2 in the during his loan, scoring 2 goals and providing occasional creative threat in attack. The spell ended prematurely on 31 December 2015 when Manchester United recalled him to facilitate a permanent move to Hull City in the January .

Hull City (2016–2019)

On 30 August 2016, Will Keane joined Hull City from Manchester United on a permanent three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £1 million. He made an immediate impact in the Premier League, featuring in five league appearances during the 2016–17 season before a severe knee ligament injury sidelined him. The injury occurred on 6 November 2016 during a 2–2 draw against Southampton, marking his second major knee issue and ruling him out for approximately 14 months. Hull City were subsequently relegated from the Premier League that season, finishing 18th with 34 points. Keane returned to action in January 2018 following rehabilitation, but his involvement remained limited amid ongoing fitness concerns and managerial changes at the club. In the 2017–18 campaign, he made nine league appearances, scoring his sole goal for Hull in a 5–0 victory over Burton Albion on 10 April 2018. The following season, 2018–19, saw further restricted opportunities, with only eight outings before he was loaned to Ipswich Town in January 2019. Keane's time at Hull was hampered by persistent injury setbacks and the club's transitional period, including three managerial shifts between 2016 and 2019, which contributed to his struggle for consistent playing time. His contract expired at the end of June 2019, after which Hull City confirmed his release alongside six other players. Over three seasons, he recorded 22 league appearances and one goal in total for the club.

Ipswich Town (loan, 2018–2019)

On 4 January 2019, Will Keane joined Ipswich Town on loan from Hull City until the end of the 2018–19 season. The move came amid limited playing time at Hull, where he had struggled for consistency following the club's relegation from the the previous year. Keane made his debut as a substitute in an third-round victory over Stanley on 5 January. During his loan spell, Keane featured in 12 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals that contributed to Ipswich's mid-table finish of 12th in the Championship. His first goal came on 12 January against Rotherham United, opening the scoring in a 1–0 home win. Further strikes followed on 16 February versus Stoke City in a 1–1 draw and on 23 February at Wigan Athletic, where he converted a penalty in another 1–1 result. These efforts demonstrated a resurgence in form, with Keane forming effective partnerships alongside forwards like Freddie Sears and Kayden Jackson, boosting his confidence in the second tier. Keane's loan was interrupted by a injury requiring in May 2019, limiting his appearances toward the end of the campaign. Upon its conclusion in June, he returned to Hull, where his performances were credited with revitalizing his career momentum after a challenging period at the parent club.

Ipswich Town (2019–2020)

Following his release by Hull City in May 2019, Will Keane joined Ipswich Town on a free transfer, signing a one-year with an option for an additional year on 20 August 2019. This permanent move came after a productive loan spell at the club during the second half of the previous season. Keane, who had undergone hamstring surgery over the summer, gradually built fitness and became a key part of the forward line under manager , often deployed as a lone striker offering technical quality and hold-up play. In the 2019–20 EFL League One season, which was curtailed in March 2020 due to the , Keane made 23 appearances and scored 3 goals. His contributions helped to a strong start, with the team positioned in the playoff spots early in the campaign, but they ultimately finished 11th and missed out on promotion. Notable among his goals was his first league strike of the season, a headed effort from a corner in a 1–1 draw away to Coventry City on 7 December 2019, which briefly extended Ipswich's unbeaten run. Keane's expired at the end of June 2020, with the club opting not to extend the one-year option amid the uncertainties of the and the season's early suspension, which limited further opportunities for match action.

Wigan Athletic (2020–2023)

Keane rejoined Wigan Athletic on 9 October 2020, signing an initial three-month following his departure from Ipswich Town, during a period of significant off-field turmoil for the club after it entered administration earlier that year and faced a 12-point deduction in the League One standings. His short-term deal was extended until the end of the 2020–21 season in January 2021, and in June 2021, he committed to a new two-year running until summer 2023. Over his three seasons with , Keane made 119 league appearances and scored 48 goals across League One and the , establishing himself as a prolific forward and the club's primary threat. In the 2020–21 League One campaign, despite the points deduction leaving Wigan in a relegation battle until the final day, Keane contributed 11 goals in 32 appearances, helping secure survival on . The following season, 2021–22, saw him excel with 26 goals in 44 League One matches, playing a pivotal role in Wigan's title-winning promotion to the as champions. Keane's form continued into the 2022–23 season, where he netted 12 goals in 43 appearances to finish as 's top scorer, though the team struggled with financial issues and were relegated after finishing 23rd. His contract expired at the end of June 2023, leading to a free transfer departure to Preston North End in July 2023. This second stint at marked a career resurgence for Keane, who had previously spent time on loan with the club in 2013 during his Manchester United youth days.

Preston North End (2023–present)

On 14 July 2023, Keane signed a two-year contract with Preston North End for an undisclosed fee from Athletic, marking his return to the club where he had previously spent a loan spell in 2015 that provided him with familiarity with . As the primary striker, he quickly became a key figure in the squad, leveraging his aerial strength and hold-up play to lead the attack in the . In his debut 2023–24 season, Keane delivered a career-best performance in the second tier, scoring 13 league goals and helping secure a mid-table position with 10th place. His contributions extended to cup competitions, adding further goals and establishing him as a consistent starter. As of 2025, Keane has contributed 19 goals in 85 appearances for Preston North End, continuing as a key player in the ongoing 2025–26 season. Keane's form earned him a one-year extension on 29 August 2024, securing his stay until June 2026. His consistent starts and physical presence have been pivotal in Preston's efforts to stabilize in the , despite ongoing challenges in pushing for promotion.

International career

Youth career with England

Born in Stockport, , Will Keane was eligible to represent the England youth national teams through his birthplace. Keane made his debut for the England under-16 team in 2009, featuring in three appearances and scoring one goal during his time at that level. He progressed to the under-17 side, where he contributed to their successful qualifying campaign for the 2010 , including scoring in a 4–0 victory over Sweden. Selected for the finals squad in , Keane made four appearances as England won the tournament for the first time, defeating 2–1 in the final, though he did not score in the finals matches. At under-19 level, Keane earned four caps, including three in the elite round qualifiers, where he scored twice in a 5–0 win against . Despite his contributions, failed to qualify for the finals after drawing 1–1 with in their final group match. Keane featured once for the under-20 team in the 2014 Toulon Tournament, coming on as a substitute in a group stage match against as the side finished fourth overall. He also earned three caps at under-21 level in 2011–12 under manager , scoring once. His youth international career overlapped with early club loan spells, such as at Sheffield Wednesday in 2013, and he was noted for his clinical finishing in youth setups, though he received no senior call-ups. Across all youth levels from under-16 to under-21, Keane accumulated 19 appearances and 5 goals. His last youth cap came in 2014.

Senior career with Republic of Ireland

Keane qualifies for the through his father, , who was born in Sligo. The of Ireland (FAI) first approached Keane about switching allegiance in his mid-twenties, around 2019 under manager , though he had represented at youth levels up to under-21 and remained committed to that pathway until 2020. Despite the initial interest, Keane did not receive a senior call-up until September 2021, when Stephen Kenny named him in the squad for qualifiers against and a friendly versus ; however, a injury sidelined him for both matches. Keane earned his first senior call-up for the November 2021 internationals against and . He made his debut as a substitute in the qualifier against on 11 November 2021, entering in the 90th minute of a 0–0 draw at the , where he was involved in a late disallowed goal for after being deemed to have fouled the . He remained an unused substitute in the subsequent 3–0 qualifying victory over three days later. Over the following 18 months, Keane accumulated four more caps. He came off the bench in friendlies against (2–2 draw on 26 March 2022) and (1–0 win on 29 March 2022), and started his for Ireland in a 0–1 defeat to on 4 June 2022. His fifth and final cap to date came as a substitute in a 2–0 Euro 2024 qualifying loss to France on 7 September 2023 at the , where he suffered an injury that forced him off after 11 minutes. Keane has not scored in his five appearances for between 2021 and 2023. Reflecting on his international journey, Keane expressed immense pride in representing , stating it allowed him to reconnect his father with his lost family heritage in Sligo after Aidan was orphaned young and emigrated to at age 10. Since the appointment of new manager in 2024 following Kenny's departure, Keane has not received further call-ups to the senior squad as of November 2025.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Will Keane's club career statistics encompass appearances across various English leagues and cup competitions, including loan spells at clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, and Ipswich Town. The following table details his domestic league performances by season, club, and league, including matches played (MP), goals, and assists. Data includes loan periods and is up to the ongoing 2025–26 Championship season with Preston North End, where he has recorded 27 appearances and 3 goals as of November 16, 2025.
SeasonClubLeagueMPGoalsAssists
2011-12Manchester UnitedPremier League100
2013-14Queens Park Rangers (loan)Championship1000
2013-14Wigan AthleticChampionship400
2014-15Sheffield Wednesday (loan)Championship1330
2015-16Manchester UnitedPremier League100
2015-16Preston North End (loan)Championship2010
2016-17Hull CityPremier League500
2017-18Hull CityChampionship912
2018-19Hull CityChampionship800
2018-19Ipswich Town (loan)Championship1130
2019-20Ipswich TownLeague One2331
2020-21Wigan AthleticLeague One32114
2021-22Wigan AthleticLeague One44266
2022-23Wigan AthleticChampionship43122
2023-24Preston North EndChampionship38133
2025-26Preston North EndChampionship2730
Total2897618
In cup competitions, Keane has accumulated 60 appearances, 24 goals, and 2 assists across various domestic tournaments, including the (17 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist), (8 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist), and (among others). Overall, across all club competitions, Keane has made over 300 appearances, scoring more than 80 goals and providing 20 assists as of November 16, 2025.

International statistics

Will Keane represented at youth international level, accumulating 30 appearances and 7 goals across various age groups from U16 to U20 between 2009 and 2013. He later switched to the , earning 5 senior caps without scoring between 2021 and 2023, with appearances in friendlies, qualifiers, and the . Overall, Keane has 35 international appearances and 7 goals, all from his youth career with .

England Youth International Statistics

LevelYearsAppearancesGoalsNotable Opponents
U16200931
U172009–2010122, ,
U182010–201172, ,
U192011–201251, ,
U20201331,
Total2009–2013307

Republic of Ireland Senior International Statistics

CompetitionAppearancesGoalsYearsNotable Opponents
Friendlies202021–2022,
World Cup Qualifiers102021
UEFA Nations League102022
European Championship Qualifiers102023
Total502021–2023

Honours

Club honours

Will Keane's senior club career has yielded one major team honour: the title with Athletic in the 2021–22 season. Keane was instrumental in Wigan's championship-winning campaign, starting 43 of their league matches and scoring a league-high 26 goals, which earned him the Golden Boot and directly contributed to their automatic promotion to the . Despite featuring in competitive squads across multiple clubs, including a at Preston North End during their 2015–16 Championship season shortly after their promotion from League One, Keane has no other team trophies to his name. Wigan also experienced near-misses in prior seasons, such as narrowly avoiding relegation contention in the during 2022–23, but without advancing to play-offs or securing further silverware. Throughout his career, Keane has not won any honours at level or above, having primarily competed in the second and third tiers of English football.

Individual achievements

During his time in Manchester United's youth academy, Keane was awarded the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in 2010 for his standout performances, including 13 goals in 26 appearances for the under-18 team. He also won the with Manchester United in 2010–11, scoring a in the second leg of the final against Sheffield United. At Wigan Athletic in the season, Keane emerged as the competition's top scorer with 26 goals in 44 matches, securing the Golden Boot award. His prolific form also earned him the League One Player of the Year accolade at the North West Football Awards in November 2021, recognizing his 10 goals up to that point in the campaign. Keane repeated the League One Player of the Year honor at the North West Football Awards in November 2022, marking the second consecutive year for the achievement and highlighting his pivotal role in Wigan's promotion to the . Additionally, his teammates voted him Wigan's Players' Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season, underscoring his leadership and consistency as a forward. In the season, Keane was Preston North End's top scorer with 13 goals.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/will-keane/profil/spieler/118535
  2. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/Will-Keane
  3. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/bio/_/id/153743/will-keane
  4. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/i-left-united-on-loan-but-i-wanted-to-go-back-to-prove-myself-h2bj0rn5j
  5. https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2022/01/23/families-in-football-will-and-michael-keane/
  6. https://extra.ie/2021/09/30/sport/soccernews/explainer-will-keane-ireland
  7. https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2950409/michael-keane-faces-bruv-will-after-the-tables-turn-in-duel-of-ex-manchester-united-siblings/
  8. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10947095/Tom-Keane-BROTHER-Everton-defender-Michael-set-join-Manchester-United-transfer-chief.html
  9. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/keane-embracing-chance-to-connect-with-his-fathers-journey/41036416.html
  10. https://www.the42.ie/will-keane-ireland-2-5595845-Nov2021/
  11. https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/soccer/will-keane-embracing-chance-to-connect-with-his-fathers-journey-for-ireland/41037112.html
  12. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/will-keane-proud-to-reconnect-his-father-with-irish-roots-1.4723679
  13. https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2021/11/10/news/will-keane-heaps-praise-on-james-mcclean-for-making-irish-transition-easy-2503214/
  14. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/10018526/fa-cup-chelsea-man-utd-keane/
  15. https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/will-keane-chelsea-vs-preston-north-end-news-ryan-lowe-4466995
  16. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/keanes-ireland-call-up-re-25414673
  17. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/960668/man-utd-jimmy-murphy-award-winners/
  18. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37449565/manchester-united-striker-keane-first-team-picture
  19. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37448036/manchester-united-2011-fa-youth-cup-winners-five-years-later
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/23/manchester-united-sheffield-united-fa-youth-cup
  21. https://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/a-z_player_archive/a-z_player_archive_pages/keane_william.html
  22. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37481920/manchester-united-ready-sell-keane-1m-sources
  23. https://thehardtackle.com/news/2016/08/31/manchester-united-striker-will-keane-joins-hull-city-timothy-fosu-mensah-talks-about-being-dropped-from-the-squad/
  24. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25124842
  25. https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/will-keane-interview-the-forgotten-manchester-united-prodigy-looking-to-get-back-to-the-big-time-1.1004470
  26. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2020/october/Signing-Will-Keane-joins-Latics-forward-line/
  27. https://threeamigoswigan.com/2022/04/29/how-good-is-will-keane/
  28. https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/8274494/republic-of-ireland-will-keane-injury/
  29. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/25987878
  30. https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/archive/will-keane-in-profile/
  31. https://www.thefa.com/news/2014/feb/11/redknapp-ready-to-give-will-keane-a-chance-110214
  32. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11711/9166003/championship-qpr-loanee-will-keane-eyeing-place-in-first-team
  33. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30942673
  34. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/matchlogs/2014-2015/Will-Keane-Match-Logs
  35. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/31070735
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.com/will-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118535/saison/2014/pos/0/liga/0/wettbewerb/GB2/verein/0
  37. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/will-keane-will-reach-top-manchester-united-says-sheffield-wednesday-boss-stuart-gray-1490325
  38. https://thepeoplesperson.com/2015/01/27/will-keanes-technical-ability-praised-by-sheffield-wednesday-boss-69966/
  39. https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sheffield-wednesday/injury-news/news/report-keane-suffers-serious-injury_205589.html
  40. https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/mar/12/will-keane-discusses-man-utd-ambitions-120315
  41. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33449826
  42. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3195603/Crewe-1-3-Preston-Keane-goalscorers-Capital-One-Cup-victory.html
  43. https://pne-online.net/forum/threads/matchday-thread-pne-v-watford-25-08-15-ko-19-45.84711/
  44. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34951388
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.com/will-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118535
  46. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/will-keane/transfers/spieler/118535/transfer_id/1179189
  47. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37217074
  48. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37486777/hull-city-complete-signing-striker-keane-manchester-united
  49. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/matchlogs/2016-2017/summary/Will-Keane-Match-Logs
  50. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37500634/hull-keane-facing-year-sidelines-knee-ligament-injury
  51. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keane-relieved-score-first-goal-1443921
  52. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/matchlogs/2017-2018/summary/Will-Keane-Match-Logs
  53. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11707/11598657/will-keane-joins-ipswich-on-loan-from-hull-until-end-of-season
  54. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/matchlogs/2018-2019/summary/Will-Keane-Match-Logs
  55. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-confirm-seven-players-2879189
  56. https://www.transfermarkt.us/will-keane/leistungsdaten/spieler/118535
  57. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46757810
  58. https://www.transfermarkt.com/will-keane/profil/spieler/118535
  59. https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/will-keane-joins-ipswich-on-loan/
  60. https://fbref.com/en/players/fc7f8f87/matchlogs/2018-2019/Will-Keane-Match-Logs
  61. https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-sign-will-keane-on-loan-from-hull-2531664
  62. https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/will-keane-joins-ipswich/
  63. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49405368
  64. https://fbref.com/en/squads/b74092de/2019-2020/Ipswich-Town-Stats
  65. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50611124
  66. https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/21401863.exit-interview-keane-felt-like-icing-towns-cake-will-now-play-waiting-game/
  67. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53247333
  68. https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2021/01/15/will-keane-extends-wigan-athletic-stay/
  69. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/june/Will-Keane-signs-new-Latics-deal/
  70. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e59ddc76/2020-2021/Wigan-Athletic-Stats
  71. https://fbref.com/en/squads/e59ddc76/2021-2022/Wigan-Athletic-Stats
  72. https://www.fotmob.com/players/290409/will-keane
  73. https://www.pnefc.net/news/2023/july/will-keane-returns-to-preston-north-end/
  74. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66206748
  75. https://www.pnefc.net/news/2024/august/29/keano-really-pleased-to-extend-stay/
  76. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cj4xzn5e487o
  77. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/will-keane/
  78. https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cdff58dff1a-b0a63e70a831-1000--england-surge-past-sweden/
  79. https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0ce037ed8f06-e62505c7c518-1000--england-heroes-realise-their-dreams/
  80. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/will-keane/u17-h-em-2010-liechtenstein/england-u17-h-team/3/
  81. https://www.transfermarkt.us/england-u19_slovenia-u19/index/spielbericht/3969564
  82. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lvxDoW2sMw
  83. https://www.thefa.com/news/2014/jun/01/portugal-report-010614
  84. https://www.thefa.com/news/2013/nov/11/will-keane-training-return-111113
  85. https://www.playmakerstats.com/player/will-keane/142928
  86. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40740360.html
  87. https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/keane-missed-ireland-games-because-25204537
  88. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1111/1259388-ireland-hold-portugal-in-entertaining-stalemate/
  89. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/84638/Will_Keane.html
  90. https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/66711373
  91. https://www.transfermarkt.us/will-keane/nationalmannschaft/spieler/118535
  92. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2022/may/01/2021-22-players-player-of-the-year-will-keane/
  93. https://www.efl.com/news/2025/august/01/league-one-golden-boot-winners--five-seasons-of-striking-excellence/
  94. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57336176
  95. https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/every-man-utd-jimmy-murphy-young-player-of-the-year-award-winner
  96. https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ten-year-anniversary-of-2011-fa-youth-cup-win-for-man-utd
  97. https://www.transfermarkt.us/league-one/torschuetzenliste/wettbewerb/GB3/saison_id/2021
  98. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/november/Will-Keane-wins-League-One-Player-of-the-Year-at-the-North-West-Football-Awards/
  99. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2022/november/07/will-keane-named-league-one-player-of-the-year-at-the-north-west-football-awards/
  100. https://www.pnefc.net/teams/first-team/willkeane
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.