Robbie Cleary

Robert Cleary (born May 15, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Kerry in the League of Ireland First Division, on loan from English EFL League Two club Salford City.

Robbie Cleary

Personal information
Full name	Robert James Karl Cleary
Date of birth	(2003-05-15) May 15, 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Kerry (on loan from Salford City)
Youth career
2010–2014	RVDL Lions
2014–2016	Burlington Bayhawks
2017–2022	Sigma FC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021	Oakland Golden Grizzlies	10	(0)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021	Forge FC	5	(0)
2021	→ Sigma FC (loan)	1	(0)
2022	Sigma FC	18	(2)
2024–	Salford City	0	(0)
2024	→ F.C. United of Manchester (loan)	4	(0)
2025	→ Bamber Bridge (loan)	17	(4)
2025–	→ Kerry (loan)	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:15, 13 July 2025 (UTC)

Early life

Cleary began his career with the RVDL Lions, created by former Dutch player Robin van der Laan, later playing for the Burlington Bayhawks in OPDL and then moved to Sigma FC at age 14.

College career

In January 2021, Cleary committed to Oakland University.^[1] On October 9, 2021, he recorded his first two collegiate assists in a 4-3 victory over the Cleveland State Vikings.^[2] He played 10 games in 2021, recording 3 assists.^[3]

Club career

In June 2021, Cleary signed a developmental contract with Canadian Premier League club Forge FC.^[4] He made his professional debut on July 1 against FC Edmonton, subbing in for Chris Nanco in an eventual 2–0 defeat.^[5] As part of his developmental contract, he also played with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario.^[6]

In 2022, he played for Sigma FC in League1 Ontario,^[7] also playing for the Sigma FC U21 in the Reserve Division where he scored 6 goals in 10 games.^[8]

In May 2024, Cleary signed with English EFL League Two club Salford City FC, with the deal taking effect upon the opening of the transfer window on July 1, 2024.^[9][10] He made his English professional debut on August 20, 2024 in an EFL Trophy game against Port Vale FC.^{[citation needed]} In September 2024, he went on a month-long loan to F.C. United of Manchester in the seventh tier Northern Premier League Premier Division.^[11] In January 2025, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division team Bamber Bridge FC, initially on a month-long loan.^[12][13] The loan was later extended to the end of April 2025.^[14] In July 2025, Cleary joined League of Ireland First Division side Kerry on loan for the remainder of the season.^[15]

Career statistics

As of match played November 12, 2024^[16]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Forge FC	2021	Canadian Premier League	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Sigma FC (loan)	2021[6]	League1 Ontario	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
Sigma FC	2022[7]		18	2	—		—		—		18	2
	Total		19	2	—		—		—		19	2
Salford City	2024–25	EFL League Two	0	0	0	0	—		2[a]	0	2	0
F.C. United of Manchester (loan)	2024–25[17]	Northern Premier League Premier	4	0	2	0	—		0	0	6	0
Bamber Bridge FC (loan)	2024–25[18]	Northern Premier League Premier	17	4	0	0	—		0	0	17	4
Career total			45	6	2	0	0	0	2	0	49	6

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy