JJ McKiernan

John Joshua McKiernan (born January 2002) is a professional footballer who plays for Eastleigh as a central midfielder on loan from EFL Championship team Watford and the Northern Ireland U21 national team.

JJ McKiernan
Personal information
Full name John Joshua McKiernan
Date of birth (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002
Place of birth Southampton, England
Height 6ft 1in (1.87m)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Eastleigh
(on loan from Watford)
Number 16
Youth career
2018 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Watford 0 (0)
2022 → Bohemians (loan) 1 (0)
2022– → Eastleigh (loan) 20 (2)
International career‡
2020– Northern Ireland U21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:42, 14 November 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:42, 14 November 2022 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Southampton, McKiernan joined Watford at U18 level in December 2018[1] having previously played for non-league Andover Town in the FA Youth Cup. He signed his professional contract in July 2021[2] and has been given squad number 43.[3]

McKiernan moved to Bohemian on loan in January 2022[4] and made 1 appearance[5] before returning to Watford to attend pre-season training camp in Austria, including an appearance against Panathinaikos.[6]

McKiernan joined National League team Eastleigh[7] in August 2022 on loan.

International career

McKiernan is eligible to represent England and Northern Ireland at international level. McKiernan chose to represent Northern Ireland at international level, qualifying through his paternal grandparents.[8] He was selected at 18 to make his debut with Andy Crosby's U21 squad against Finland, obtaining a yellow card in the 21st minute.[9]

Career statistics
As of match played 14 December 2022[10]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford FC 2018–19 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bohemian F.C. (loan) 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eastleigh FC (loan) 2022–23 National League 20 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 22 2
Total 21 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 23 2
Career total 21 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 23 2

    References
    1. "Hart On McKiernan: "His Story Is Brilliant". 1 July 2020.
    2. "Official: Six Professional Deals In Academy". 23 July 2021.
    3. "Watford's players have their squad numbers, changes still possible". Watford Observer. 1 August 2022.
    4. "Official: McKiernan Moves To Bohemian". 22 January 2022.
    5. "Roster Bohemian 2022". Retrieved 15 November 2022.
    6. "Match Report: Watford 0-0 Panathinaikos". 10 July 2022.
    7. Metcalfe, Neil (3 August 2022). "Watford's JJ McKiernan joins Eastleigh on loan. | Watford Observer". Watford Observer.
    8. Beacom, Steven. "I can continue Northern Ireland's long links with Watford, says Under 21 debutant JJ McKiernan". Belfast Telegraph.
    9. "Northern Ireland-Finland | Under-21 2021 | UEFA.com".
    10. Single source here, if player is still active. If player has retired, remove the "Updated" template and move source to the table's title.
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