Kieran O'Neill Dowell (born 10 October 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Rangers.

Kieran Dowell
Dowell playing for Norwich City in 2021
Personal information
Full name Kieran O'Neill Dowell[1]
Date of birth (1997-10-10) 10 October 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Ormskirk, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Rangers
Number 20
Youth career
2005–2014 Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2020 Everton 2 (0)
2017–2018Nottingham Forest (loan) 38 (9)
2019Sheffield United (loan) 16 (2)
2019–2020Derby County (loan) 10 (0)
2020Wigan Athletic (loan) 12 (5)
2020–2023 Norwich City 67 (11)
2023– Rangers 16 (2)
International career
2012 England U16 1 (0)
2013–2014 England U17 7 (0)
2014–2015 England U18 3 (0)
2016–2017 England U20 16 (1)
2017–2019 England U21 17 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:53, 2 January 2024 (UTC)

Dowell previously played for Everton, where he had loan spells with Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby County and Wigan Athletic.

Club career

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Everton

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Born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, Dowell joined Everton's academy at the age of 7.[4] After progressing through the ranks and the reserve side, he signed a scholarship with the club in June 2014.[5] He then scored in a friendly for the Everton U21 side, in a 1–0 win over Rhyl on 26 July 2014.[6]

Dowell made his debut for the club on 11 December 2014, replacing the injured Christian Atsu 11 minutes into a UEFA Europa League group match against FC Krasnodar at Goodison Park. Everton, who had already advanced into the next round, lost 0–1.[7] With his only first team appearances of the season, he signed his first professional contract with the club.[8]

After being given a number 51 shirt in the 2015–16 season, Dowell, however, suffered ankle injury that saw him sidelined for two months.[9] He scored on his return for the Everton U21 on 6 December 2015, in a 3–1 win over Liverpool U23.[10] Dowell went on to score nine more goals for the reserve side, including a stunner against Southampton U21 and a hat-trick against Leicester City U23.[11] On 30 April 2016, he made his Premier League debut as an 87th-minute substitute for Ross Barkley in a 2–1 home win over Bournemouth.[12] Dowell then started the final game of the 2015–16 season against Norwich City at Goodison Park.[13]

Two months after making his Premier League debut, Dowell signed a three-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2019.[14] In the 2016–17 season, Dowell was a member of the Everton U23 squad to win the inaugural Premier League 2 title, in which he made the total of 22 appearances and scoring 5 times.[8] His performance throughout April won him April's Premier League 2 Player of the Month.[15]

Loan spells

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On 3 August 2017, Dowell signed on a season-long loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest.[16] He made his Forest debut, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1–0 win over Millwall in the opening game of the season.[17] He scored his first goal for Forest in a 4–3 win at Brentford on 12 August 2017.[18] Since making his Nottingham Forest debut, he became a first team regular.[19] Dowell scored again on 30 September 2017, in a 2–1 win over Sheffield United.[20] Four weeks later, on 28 October 2017, he scored his first ever hat-trick, in a 3–2 win over Hull City.[21] After the match, Dowell's performance was praised by local newspaper Nottingham Post and the club's supporters.[22] However, Mark Warburton was sacked as Forest manager on 31 December 2017 and was replaced by Aitor Karanka. Dowell fell out of favour under the new manager and struggled to hold a place in the starting eleven. He played just 59 minutes during the last eight games of the season.[23]

 
Dowell playing for Norwich City in 2021

On 28 December 2018, it was announced that Dowell would join Sheffield United as of 2 January 2019 on loan for the rest of the season. On 28 April 2019 United were promoted to the Premier League.[24] The following season, on 11 July 2019, Dowell joined Derby County on a season-long loan.[25] On 3 January 2020, Everton cancelled Dowell's loan to Derby and sent him on loan to Wigan for the remainder of the season.[26] On 14 July 2020, Dowell scored a hat-trick as Wigan defeated Hull City by a scoreline of 8–0; the result was Wigan's biggest victory in club history.[27][28]

Norwich City

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On 30 July 2020, Dowell joined Championship club Norwich City on a three-year deal,[29] for a reported fee of £1.5m.[30] He scored on his debut for Norwich in a 3–1 EFL Cup defeat to Luton Town on 5 September 2020.[31] On 1 May 2021, Dowell scored twice as Norwich City defeated Reading 4–1 to secure the Championship title and make an instant return to the Premier League.[32] Dowell scored his first Premier League goal for Norwich City on 16 April 2022 in a 3-2 loss to Manchester United where he also registered an assist to teammate Teemu Pukki.[33] On 21 February 2023, he made his final appearance for Norwich City, starting in a win over Birmingham City, thereafter sustaining a knee injury that ended his season.[34]

Rangers

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On 24 May 2023, it was announced that Dowell had signed a pre-contract agreement to join Scottish Premiership side Rangers.[35] He made his debut for the club, starting the match, in a 1-0 defeat away to Kilmarnock on 5 August 2023.[36] He scored his first goal for Rangers during a league match at home to Livingston on 12 August 2023.[37]

On 7 November 2023, Dowell made an appearance for the Rangers B team in a Scottish Challenge Cup fourth round match at home to Airdrieonians. He started the match and scored the second goal for Rangers in a 4-2 defeat.[38]

International career

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After representing England at lower youth levels, Dowell was selected for the England under-20 team for the first time, making his debut in a 1–1 draw against Brazil alongside Everton teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin.[39] In May 2017, Dowell was selected for the England U20 in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[40] After setting up two goals in a 3–0 win over Argentina on Matchday 1 of the group stage, he scored the only goal against hosts South Korea, ensuring a place in the second round for England.[41] He also started in the final, in which England beat Venezuela 1–0 for England's first triumph in a global tournament since their World Cup victory in 1966.[42]

Following the end of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Dowell was called up to the England U21 squad, for whom he made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Netherlands U21 on 1 September 2017.[43]

On 27 May 2019, Dowell was included in England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[44]

Personal life

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Born in Ormskirk, England, Dowell grew up supporting Everton, the team he would eventually play for, and idolised Mikel Arteta.[45] While at the academy, he was a ball-boy when he was 14.[46] At 20, he moved out of his parents' house for an apartment.[47]

Career statistics

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As of match played 2 January 2024[48]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Everton 2014–15[49] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
2015–16[50] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2016–17[51] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017–18[52] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19[53] Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0
2019–20[54] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 5 0
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2017–18[52] Championship 38 9 2 1 3 0 43 10
Sheffield United (loan) 2018–19[53] Championship 16 2 1 0 0 0 17 2
Derby County (loan) 2019–20[54] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2019–20[54] Championship 12 5 1 0 0 0 13 5
Norwich City 2020–21[55] Championship 24 5 1 0 1 1 26 6
2021–22[56] Premier League 19 1 3 0 2 0 24 1
2022–23[57] Championship 24 5 1 0 1 0 26 5
Total 67 11 5 0 4 1 0 0 76 12
Rangers 2023–24[58] Scottish Premiership 7 2 0 0 1 0 3 0 11 2
Rangers B 2023–24[58] 1[b] 1 1 1
Career total 152 29 9 1 10 1 5 1 176 32
  1. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup

Honours

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Sheffield United

Norwich City

Rangers

England U20

England U21

References

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  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Kieran Dowell". 11v11.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Kieran Dowell". Norwich City F.C. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Kieran Dowell". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  5. ^ "15 Become Scholars". Everton F.C. 28 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Next Generation: Kieran Dowell". Everton F.C. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Report: Everton U21s 1–0 Rhyl". Everton F.C. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Everton 0–1 FK Krasnodar". BBC Sport. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Meet new Nottingham Forest signing Kieran Dowell – the teenager with a cracking shot and fine left foot". Nottingham Post. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Under-23s: Story of the season". Everton F.C. 25 April 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Lennon To Wear Number 12". Everton F.C. 2 September 2015. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Everton prospect Kieran Dowell could miss two months after ankle surgery". Liverpool Echo. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Are these two Everton's midfield axis of the future?". Liverpool Echo. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  11. ^ "Match Report: Everton U21 v Southampton U21". Everton F.C. 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Watch Kieran Dowell's stunning Everton hat trick as he continues to knock on first-team door". Liverpool Echo. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  12. ^ "Everton 2 – 1 AFC Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  13. ^ "Everton 3 – 1 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  14. ^ "Kieran Dowell signs revised three-year contract with Everton". ESPN. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  15. ^ "Under-23s Midfielder Wins Award". Everton F.C. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Dowell joins on loan". Nottingham Forest F.C. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Done deal: Kieran Dowell joins Nottingham Forest on season-long loan from Everton". Nottingham Post. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  17. ^ "Nottingham Forest 1 – 0 Millwall". BBC Sport. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Brentford 3–4 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Kieran Dowell, Barrie McKay and Tendayi Darikwa earn top marks from Nottingham Forest fans as they 'Rate The Players'". Nottingham Post. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017."Nottingham Forest's Kieran Dowell loving 'every minute' of whirlwind few months in his career". Nottingham Post. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Nottingham Forest 2–1 Sheffield United: Blades charge ends". Sky Sports. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  21. ^ "Hull City 2 – Nottingham Forest 3: Kieran Dowell hits hat-trick to tame Tigers". Daily Express. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  22. ^ "Nottingham Forest hat-trick hero Kieran Dowell scored two 'absolute belters'". Nottingham Post. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  23. ^ "Ex-Nottingham Forest loan star Kieran Dowell struggling at Derby County". 5 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Sheffield United promoted to Premier League after Leeds draw". BBC Sport. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  25. ^ , however on 3 January 2020 it was announced by derby that his loan had been cancelled by "mutual agreement" This was down to a very poor showing and sending a shot over the stadium from 18 yards out "Rams land Everton starlet Dowell on Loan". 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  26. ^ "Latics loan last chance for once-promising Everton youngster". SB Nation. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Wigan record biggest win in history after hitting EIGHT past relegation rivals Hull in extraordinary Championship clash". Talk Sport. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Wigan Athletic scored seven first-half goals to stun relegation-threatened Hull City before equalling the biggest victory in Championship history". BBC. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  29. ^ "Norwich City swoop for England U21 and Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell". Norwich City F.C. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  30. ^ Southwell, Connor (29 April 2023). "Norwich City transfer rumours: Kieran Dowell agrees to join Rangers". Eastern Daily Press.
  31. ^ "Luton 3-1 Norwich". BBC. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Norwich win Championship title after securing Premier League promotion". The Athletic. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Manchester United 3-2 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 16 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Kieran Dowell: Norwich midfielder ruled out until 'second part' of April". BBC Sport. 24 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Kieran Dowell: Rangers confirm arrival of Norwich City midfielder". BBC Sport. 24 May 2023.
  36. ^ "Kilmarnock 1-0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 5 August 2023.
  37. ^ "Rangers 4-0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 12 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Rangers 2-4 Airdrieonians". BBC Sport. 7 November 2023.
  39. ^ "International Blues". Everton F.C. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "International Round-Up". Everton F.C. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  40. ^ "Dowell Raring To Go". Everton F.C. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  41. ^ "Under-20 World Cup: England beat Argentina 3–0 in opening match". BBC Sport. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Everton's Kieran Dowell seals top spot for England at Under-20 World Cup". The Guardian. 26 May 2017.
  42. ^ a b "Under-20 World Cup: England beat Venezuela in final". BBC Sport. 11 June 2017.
  43. ^ "Five Blues Named in England Under-21s Squad". Everton F.C. 28 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
    "Calvert-Lewin on target for Young Lions". Everton F.C. 1 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  44. ^ "ENGLAND U21S SQUAD NAMED BY AIDY BOOTHROYD FOR THIS SUMMER'S EURO FINALS IN ITALY". The FA. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  45. ^ "My Football Hero: Kieran Dowell". Everton F.C. 1 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 November 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  46. ^ "Everton starlet Kieran Dowell Q&A;: Studying David Silva, worshipping Arteta and itching for a first team chance". Liverpool Echo. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  47. ^ "Everton youngster Kieran Dowell on Nottingham Forest, England and... getting his Sky fixed". Liverpool Echo. 3 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  48. ^ Kieran Dowell at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  49. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  50. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  51. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  54. ^ a b c "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  55. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  56. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  57. ^ "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  58. ^ a b "Games played by Kieran Dowell in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  59. ^ Anderson, John (2019). Football Yearbook 2019–20. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 15, 320–321. ISBN 978-1-4722-6111-3.
  60. ^ McPheat, Nick (17 December 2023). "Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. BBC.
  61. ^ "Final fightback takes England U21S to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico". The Football Association. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
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