Jonny Evans
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Jonathan Grant Evans[1] | ||
Date of birth | 3 January 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Leicester City | ||
Number | 6 | ||
Youth career | |||
2004–2006 | Manchester United | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006–2015 | Manchester United | 131 | (4) |
2006 | → Royal Antwerp (loan) | 11 | (2) |
2006–2007 | → Sunderland (loan) | 18 | (1) |
2008 | → Sunderland (loan) | 15 | (0) |
2015–2018 | West Bromwich Albion | 89 | (5) |
2018– | Leicester City | 44 | (2) |
International career‡ | |||
Northern Ireland U16 | 6 | (0) | |
2004–2005 | Northern Ireland U17 | 8 | (1) |
2006 | Northern Ireland U21 | 3 | (0) |
2006– | Northern Ireland | 84 | (4) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:05, 28 December 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:20, 17 November 2019 (UTC) |
Jonathan Grant Evans (born 3 January 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Leicester City and the Northern Ireland national team.
Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football Academy to play in several foreign tours in the summer of 2006. He then went on loan to Royal Antwerp and had two spells with Sunderland. He made his Manchester United first team debut in the 2007–08 League Cup, becoming a regular first-team squad member the following season. Evans is the second most decorated player in Northern Irish football history with 10 major trophies.[3][4]
Club career
Manchester United
Evans was scouted while playing for Greenisland FC, the same club that his brother Corry and Craig Cathcart played for before moving to Manchester United.[5][6] At the age of nine, he was invited to attend the Manchester United Centre of Excellence in Belfast, before being invited for a trial in Manchester a year later. Rule changes within The Football Association at the time meant that clubs were limited to players who lived within an hour and a half of the club, so Evans' opportunities were limited. However, the Evans family soon relocated to Manchester, allowing Jonny to train with Manchester United full-time. Evans progressed through Manchester United's Academy, featuring in two of the club's three games during the 2006 summer tour of South Africa, as well as domestic friendlies against Celtic and Preston North End. Evans also made a surprise appearance in the Amsterdam Tournament against Ajax. Evans spent the first half of the 2006–07 season on loan at Manchester United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, alongside fellow youngsters Darron Gibson, Danny Simpson and Fraizer Campbell.[citation needed]
Sunderland loans
In December 2006, Evans agreed to join Sunderland on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season,[7] with Manchester United and Antwerp team-mate Danny Simpson joining on a similar deal in the January transfer window. The pair helped Sunderland clinch the Football League Championship title, with Evans winning the club's "Youth Player of the Year" award at the end of the season. Although manager Roy Keane was hopeful of re-signing Evans on loan following promotion to the Premier League, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team.[8]
On 4 January 2008, Evans rejoined Sunderland on loan for the second time, and was immediately drafted into the first team squad.[9] Evans played the full 90 minutes in his first game, losing 3–0 to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Evans was criticised for granting Wigan the second goal of the game, for which he lost the ball on the edge of his own box, resulting in a deflected own goal by Paul McShane.[10] His half-season with Sunderland was generally successful, however, and the team avoided relegation.[citation needed]
Return to Manchester United
2007–2011
Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26 September 2007 against Coventry City in the Football League Cup. Unfortunately, his debut ended in a 2–0 defeat. He then appeared as a late substitute for Gerard Piqué in a UEFA Champions League match at home to Dynamo Kyiv on 7 November 2007 to secure Manchester United's qualification to the knockout stage of the competition. He subsequently made his first Champions League start on 12 December 2007 against Roma.[citation needed]
Evans made his league debut for United against Chelsea on 21 September 2008, filling in for Nemanja Vidić who was unavailable due to suspension. The game ended 1–1.[11] In December 2008, Evans made two substitute appearances for Manchester United at the FIFA Club World Cup, including one in the final after Nemanja Vidić was sent off shortly after half time. Evans continued to deputise throughout the rest of the season, appearing in a number of league games and in the League Cup final.[citation needed]
At the beginning of the 2010–11 football season, Evans became a regular fixture in the United team, partnering Nemanja Vidić in the centre of defence in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand. On 19 March 2011, Evans injured Bolton Wanderers and United States international Stuart Holden with a tackle which left Holden out for six months which eventually got worse and caused him to be slidelined for 22 months. Despite Evans being given a straight red card for the tackle, Manchester United went on to win the game 1–0 with a Dimitar Berbatov goal.[12]
2011–2014
Before the start of the 2011–12 season, Evans was handed the number 6 shirt after Wes Brown was transferred to Sunderland.[13] On 14 August, he wore his new shirt number for the first time in United's opening day 2–1 win at West Bromwich Albion, he came on for the injured Nemanja Vidić in the 52nd minute at The Hawthorns.[14] On 23 October, he was sent off in United's 6–1 defeat against Manchester City after bringing down Mario Balotelli in a last-man challenge.[15] Evans made his 100th appearance for the Red Devils on 30 November, playing the full 120 minutes as United lost 2–1 to Championship side Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarter-final.[16] On 18 March 2012, he scored his first goal for United after opening the scoring in the 5–0 league win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.[17] Evans missed the final three games of the season with a foot injury.[18]
Having undergone surgery to repair an ankle injury at the end of last season, Evans was unable to start pre-season training until early August, but there was speculation that he might be playing Manchester United's second game against Fulham.[19] Evans scored his second goal for the club in a 3–0 away win at Newcastle United on 7 October 2012, thumping home a header from a Robin van Persie corner kick. On 23 October, Evans scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League and first at Old Trafford in a 3–2 victory over Braga. He scored the equalising goal at 2–2, scrambling home from a corner kick. Evans netted his third goal of the season on 24 November 2012 in a 3–1 win, heading in the equaliser against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford from a corner.[20] On 21 December 2012, Evans signed a new contract with United which will keep him at the club until June 2016.[21] Evans scored his third league goal of the season and fourth overall on Boxing Day in a 4–3 win against Newcastle United, tapping home after Javier Hernandez's shot had been saved by Tim Krul.[citation needed]
On 4 March 2015, Evans was involved in a suspicious spitting altercation with Papiss Cissé in a 1–0 win over Newcastle United. He denied the ensuing charge from the FA and said: "I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse. Having woken up this morning, I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night's match." However he was still banned for 6 games on 7 March, Papiss Cissé for seven.[22]
West Bromwich Albion
Evans signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee on 29 August 2015.[23] He made his debut for the club on 12 September 2015 in a 0–0 draw against Southampton.[24] On 2 January 2016, Evans scored his first West Brom goal in a 2–1 victory over Stoke City.[25] On 15 May 2016, before the final game of the season, Evans received Players'Player of the Season award of West Bromwich Albion on his primary campaign for the club.[26]
He had to wait a long time for his next goal, which came in a 3–1 win over Watford on 3 December 2016.[27] His next goal came in a 2–1 loss against Swansea on the final game of the season.[28]
In July 2017, following the departure of club skipper Darren Fletcher to Stoke City,[29] Evans was confirmed permanent captaincy by head coach Tony Pulis.[30] He scored his first goal of the season on 30 September 2017 in a 2–2 draw against Watford, an alike header of the one he scored ten months earlier against the same opponent.[31] His second goal of the season was against Brighton at home on 13 January 2018, which brought his side's first league win across 5 months and 20 games.[32]
Leicester City
In June 2018, Leicester City activated Evan's relegation release clause in his contract with West Bromwich Albion for £3.5 million. He signed a three-year contract.[33] He made his Leicester debut in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 August 2018.[34] He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on 23 February 2019.[35]
International career
Despite having not yet made his senior debut for Manchester United, Evans was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2006, making his debut in the memorable 3–2 victory over Spain.[36] Evans has since retained his place in the squad and has made over 60 appearances. On 28 March 2009, Evans scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win over Poland in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), volleyed home from close range.[37]
On 28 May 2016, Evans was included in Northern Ireland's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 by national team manager Michael O'Neill.[38] This was the first time Northern Ireland had ever been involved in the finals of the competition, and their first major tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Northern Ireland eventually reached the last 16, being knocked out by Wales in a 1–0 defeat.[39] Evans participated in all four games Northern Ireland played in this tournament.[citation needed]
His second international goal came 8 years after the first one on 4 September 2017, scoring a backward header against Czech Republic. The game finished a 2–0 victory to his side and consolidated their good form in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA). Northern Ireland reached the playoff stage of the qualification,seeing the best chance of returning to the competition for the first time in 32-year. However, in the first leg they suffered from a controversial penalty decision made by Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, he deems Evans' young brother Corry handled the ball and booked him for that so he would miss the second leg, where the ball clearly struck Corry's shoulder. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill claimed it was the worst decision he had ever seen in a game he had been involved in.[40] The game ended as a 1–0 defeat to them and a goalless draw in the second leg three days later means they were officially knocked out of the competition. Evans nearly equalized the aggregate score in the injury time where his header already beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, but was cleared off the line by defender Ricardo Rodriguez, who converted that controversial penalty in the first leg.[41]
Evans scored his third goal at senior international level when he opened the scoring against Belarus in Northern Ireland's second game of the qualification phase for UEFA Euro 2020.[citation needed]
Personal life
Evans was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.[42] attended Belfast High School in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, before moving to Ashton-on-Mersey High School in Sale once he had been signed by Manchester United. He holds nine GCSEs, all A* or A grades.[43]
On 19 December 2007, Evans was arrested in connection to an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held.[44] On 8 March 2008, it was reported that Evans would not be prosecuted for any offence.[45]
On 1 June 2013, Evans married Helen McConnell, a MUTV reporter, at Clough Presbyterian Church.[46] The couple have a daughter named Lottie, born on 15 May 2014.[47]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other[nb 1] | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Royal Antwerp (loan) | 2006–07 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | |||
Total | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | ||||
Sunderland (loan) | 2006–07 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||
2007–08 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | |||
Total | 33 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 1 | |||
Manchester United | 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
2007–08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
2008–09 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
2009–10 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
2010–11 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
2011–12 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |
2012–13 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 30 | 4 | ||
2013–14 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2 | |
2014–15 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
Total | 131 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 198 | 7 | |
West Bromwich Albion | 2015–16 | 30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 | ||
2016–17 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 2 | |||
2017–18 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 2 | |||
Total | 89 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 95 | 5 | |||
Leicester City | 2018–19 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 1 | ||
2019–20 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 22 | 2 | |||
Total | 42 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 50 | 3 | |||
Career total | 306 | 14 | 23 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 391 | 18 |
- ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
International
- As of match played 16 November 2019[50]
Northern Ireland national team | ||
---|---|---|
Year | Apps | Goals |
2006 | 3 | 0 |
2007 | 5 | 0 |
2008 | 7 | 0 |
2009 | 5 | 1 |
2010 | 5 | 0 |
2011 | 4 | 0 |
2012 | 3 | 0 |
2013 | 6 | 0 |
2014 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | 7 | 0 |
2016 | 13 | 0 |
2017 | 9 | 1 |
2018 | 9 | 0 |
2019 | 8 | 2 |
Total | 84 | 4 |
International goals
- Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.[50]
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 28 March 2009 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | Poland | 2–1 | 3–2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
2 | 4 September 2017 | Czech Republic | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
3 | 24 March 2019 | Belarus | 1–0 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualification | |
4 | 14 October 2019 | Stadion Letná, Prague, Czech Republic | Czech Republic | 2–0 | 3–2 | Friendly |
Honours
Sunderland
Manchester United
- Premier League: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13[52]
- Football League Cup: 2008–09[53] 2009–10[54]
- FA Community Shield: 2008,[55] 2010,[56] 2011,[57] 2013[58]
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008[59]
2007-08 UEFA Champions League
References
- ^ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists" (PDF). Premier League. 2 February 2012. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ^ "Jonny Evans". Leicester City F.C. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Most Decorated Irish Footballers". Soccer Ireland. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
- ^ Kelly, Ciaran (1 April 2017). "Former Manchester United defender lifts lid on Old Trafford exit".
- ^ Ducker, James (20 December 2007). "Rising star, Jonny Evans, who signed up with dream club, Manchester United, as a 9-year-old". The Times. London. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ "Roll of Honour". Greenisland Boys F.C. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ "Sunderland clinch Evans loan deal". BBC Sport. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Evans delivers Sunderland blow". BBC Sport. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Evans heads to Sunderland on loan". BBC Sport. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ "Sunderland 0–3 Wigan". BBC Sport. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (21 September 2008). "Chelsea 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
- ^ "Bolton's Stuart Holden out for six months after Jonny Evans tackle". The Guardian. London. 21 March 2011.
- ^ "Evans feeling positive". Manchester United F.C. 31 August 2011.
- ^ "West Brom 1–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 14 August 2011.
- ^ "Man Utd 1–6 Man City". BBC Sport. 23 October 2011.
- ^ "Man Utd 1–2 Crystal Palace (AET)". BBC Sport. 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Wolves 0–5 Man United". BBC Sport. 18 March 2012.
- ^ Custis, Neil (23 August 2012). "Evans help us". The Sun. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Ogden, Mark. "Papers: Evans back for Fulham?". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Jurejko, Jonathan. "Man Utd 3–1 QPR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ^ "New deal for Evans". Manchester United F.C. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ "Jonny Evans banned for six games, Papiss Cisse for seven". BBC Sport. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ "Jonny Evans: West Brom seal deal for Man Utd for defender". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 0–0 Southampton". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 2–1 Stoke City". BBC Sport. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ "Albion announce end-of-season awards winners". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 3–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ "Swansea City 2–1 West Bromwich Albion". BBC Sport. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Skipper leaves Albion". 1 June 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Pulis confirms Evans captaincy – and insists he is going nowhere". 18 July 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 2–0 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Jonny Evans: Leicester sign West Brom & Northern Ireland defender". BBC Sport. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "Leicester 2–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ Leicester 1-4 Crystal Palace, BBC Sport, 23 February 2019, retrieved 20 August 2019
- ^ "Northern Ireland 3–2 Spain". BBC Sport. 6 September 2006. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Northern Ireland 3–2 Poland". BBC Sport. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Euro 2016: NI boss O'Neill names final 23-man squad". BBC Sport. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Wales 1–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ "Northern Ireland 0–1 Switzerland". BBC Sport. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Switzerland 0–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Jonny Evans". Manchester United F.C. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014.
- ^ "Manchester News – Jonathan Evans". Greenisland F.C. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ "Man Utd star bailed in rape probe". BBC News. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ Griffiths, Peter (14 March 2008). "Man United defender Evans won't face rape charges". Reuters. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
- ^ Stone, Simon (14 May 2013). "Jonny Evans turns red as fiancée puts him on the spot". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ^ "RED DEVILS WAGS – Lottie Evans". Tumblr. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ Endlar, Andrew. "Jonny Evans". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Jonny Evans". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Jonny Evans". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2007). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–2008. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 46, 370–371. ISBN 978-0-7553-1664-9.
- ^ "Jonny Evans: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (1 March 2009). "Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (28 February 2010). "Aston Villa 1–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ Bevan, Chris (10 August 2008). "Man Utd 0–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ Fletcher, Paul (8 August 2010). "Chelsea 1–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ Bevan, Chris (7 August 2011). "Manchester City 2–3 Manchester United". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013.
- ^ Rostance, Tom (11 August 2013). "Man Utd 2–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
- ^ Saaid, Hamdan (8 September 2016). "FIFA Club World Cup 2008". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
External links
- Jonny Evans West Brom Profile
- Profile at StretfordEnd.co.uk
- Profile at irishfa.com
- Jonny Evans at Soccerbase
- 1988 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Belfast
- Association footballers from Northern Ireland
- Association football defenders
- People educated at Belfast High School
- Manchester United F.C. players
- Royal Antwerp F.C. players
- Sunderland A.F.C. players
- West Bromwich Albion F.C. players
- Leicester City F.C. players
- Premier League players
- English Football League players
- Belgian Second Division/Belgian First Division B players
- Northern Ireland youth international footballers
- Northern Ireland under-21 international footballers
- Northern Ireland international footballers
- UEFA Euro 2016 players
- Expatriate association footballers from Northern Ireland
- Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Belgium
- Expatriate footballers in Belgium