Kevin Long Bio
Kevin Finbarr Long (born 18 August 1990) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender. Standing 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) tall, Long has spent most of his senior career in English football, with shorter stints in Major League Soccer and the League of Ireland. He is a former Republic of Ireland international, having won his first senior cap in 2017.
Long came through the Cork City youth ranks in his home country before moving to England as a teenager. Across more than fifteen years as a professional, he has been a versatile centre half known for his aerial ability and durability. He is currently signed with League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Finbarr Long was born on 18 August 1990 in Cork, Ireland. Growing up in one of Ireland’s most passionate sporting cities, he developed an early love for football and joined the Cork City youth structure as a teenager. The club’s academy gave him his first taste of organized competitive football at a high level.
Long progressed through Cork City’s underage teams and was part of the squads that won the FAI Youth Cup, the Munster Youth Cup and the FAI Futsal Cup in 2009. These early trophies established him as one of the most promising defenders in his age group in Ireland. His performances at youth level earned him a senior contract with Cork City in January 2008.
He made his senior debut for Cork City as a substitute in an away match against St Patrick’s Athletic. The experience of training and playing with the first team at a young age prepared him for the next stage of his career, as several English clubs began to take notice of his potential.
Path to Professional Football
Long’s rise through Cork City’s academy coincided with growing interest from clubs in England and Scotland. With his contract set to expire in November 2009, he was linked with Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Preston North End, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 26 November 2009, Premier League club Burnley confirmed that they had paid a six-figure fee to sign him on a three-and-a-half-year contract, beating competition from Celtic and Everton.
The move to Burnley marked Long’s transition to full-time English football. However, breaking into the first team at Turf Moor proved difficult, and the club sent him out on loan to gain experience. He spent time at Accrington Stanley, Rochdale, Portsmouth, Barnsley and Milton Keynes Dons during his development years.
Kevin Long Career
Early Career (2008–2010)
Long began his senior career at Cork City in 2008, where he combined youth-team football with occasional first-team appearances. The FAI Youth Cup, Munster Youth Cup and FAI Futsal Cup victories in 2009 highlighted his development as a centre half at underage level.
His move to Burnley in January 2010 represented a major step up. Although he was a regular in the Clarets’ reserve side, first-team opportunities in the Championship and Premier League were limited. Loan spells to Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Portsmouth followed, with each move designed to accelerate his learning curve in English football’s lower divisions.
Burnley Breakthrough (2010–2023)
Long’s most extended spell in senior English football came during thirteen years at Burnley, even though he spent much of that time out on loan. He made his Premier League debut on 1 January 2015 in a 3–3 draw away to Newcastle United, replacing the injured Jason Shackell in the 17th minute. Unfortunately, he ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments during that match and was substituted, becoming the third Burnley player taken off in the same game. Shortly afterward, he signed an extended contract to run until 2017.
After recovering, Long returned to the first team and contributed to Burnley’s promotion campaigns and Premier League survival efforts. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–3 FA Cup defeat at Southampton on 4 January 2014. Across the loan network, he built a reputation as a dependable centre half, scoring his first English career goal while at Accrington Stanley in October 2011 and helping Barnsley reach the Football League Trophy northern area final in 2015–16.
Birmingham City Era (2023–2024)
In January 2023, Long signed for Championship club Birmingham City until the end of the season. Lack of match fitness hampered his early appearances, but head coach John Eustace persisted with him, and Long started 20 of a possible 23 matches. Initially listed for release, he signed a new one-year contract with Birmingham on 25 June 2023.
Long played every minute of Birmingham’s Championship season under Eustace, complementing centre-back partner Dion Sanderson with his aerial strength. He lost his place to Emanuel Aiwu after Wayne Rooney took charge in October 2023, and a calf injury kept him out until January 2024. Tony Mowbray restored him to the team, and he started four Championship matches before leaving Birmingham for an undisclosed fee on 20 February 2024.
Toronto FC Era (2024–2025)
Long signed for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC on 20 February 2024 on a contract covering 2024 with an option for 2025. He made his MLS debut five days later, playing the full match in a goalless opening-day visit to FC Cincinnati.
He scored his first goal for Toronto in a 5–0 Canadian Championship victory over Simcoe County Rovers on 24 April 2024. Across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns he added experience to a back line that included several young defenders. Following the 2025 season, Toronto declined their contract option on Long, making him a free agent.
Waterford Era (2026–Present)
On 15 March 2026, Long returned to Irish football by signing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford. The move reunited him with the domestic game where his career began, more than seventeen years after his Cork City debut. He wears the number 13 shirt.
Playing Style and Strengths
Long is a right-footed centre half whose game is built around aerial duels, physical presence and positional discipline. His 1.88 m frame gives him an edge in both defensive boxes, and his spell at Birmingham highlighted his value as a complementary partner to quicker, more ball-playing defenders. He is comfortable operating in a back four and has the versatility to play in a back three.
Notable Events and Milestones
Long’s Premier League debut for Burnley at St James’ Park in January 2015 turned sour when he ruptured his cruciate ligaments, but his recovery and subsequent contract extension demonstrated his resilience. His late winner on his Barnsley debut against Oldham Athletic and his role in Barnsley’s run to the Football League Trophy area final stand out among his loan highlights. His senior Ireland debut came on 1 June 2017 in a 3–1 defeat to Mexico at MetLife Stadium.
Kevin Long International Career
Long received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad in May 2017 as part of a 37-man training camp at Fota Island. He made the final squad for the friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay and earned his debut on 1 June 2017, replacing John Egan as a second-half substitute in the 3–1 loss to Mexico at MetLife Stadium. His international career spanned the 2017–2020 period.
Kevin Long Family
Family Background and Football Roots
Long was raised in Cork, a city with a deep footballing tradition and the home of his first professional club, Cork City. His development through the Cork City academy tied his early identity closely to the Munster football community. Specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Long has kept much of his personal life private. Public details about a spouse or children have not been confirmed by reliable sources. He maintains a public presence through social media, including a Twitter account under the handle @kevinlong28.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign represented Long’s second and final full season with Toronto FC. He continued to provide veteran leadership in central defence as the club worked to integrate younger players into its back line. Following the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season, Toronto decided against exercising the option on his contract, ending his time in North America.
Long remained without a club through the early months of 2026 before completing a return to Irish football. His move to Waterford on 15 March 2026 was framed by the club as a chance to add top-flight experience to a squad fighting relegation, and it brought one of Ireland’s most travelled defenders back to the League of Ireland.
