McDonald signs for Grecians
Kevin McDonald is back in English football having today signed a contract with League One club Exeter City until the end of the season.
McDonald’s last club in England was Fulham but he was forced to leave because of a kidney problem which required a transplant which he received from his brother in April 2021.
Astonishingly, he returned to football in the early part of 2022, making eleven appearances for Dundee United but he was released at the end of the season.
Now aged 34, he started his career with Dundee before moving to Burnley in June 2008. He never established himself as a first team player, was used more as a substitute, but got a run in the first team in 2010, a run that was ended after the incidents during the home defeat against Manchester City.
He went on loan to both Scunthorpe and Notts County before signing for Sheffield United. After two years there, he spent three years with Wolves and then onto Fulham before that short time at Dundee United that has taken him not too far short of 550 league and cup games.
His new manager at Exeter is Gary Caldwell, brother of his former Burnley captain Steven Caldwell, and he said of his new signing: “Kevin is someone I’ve known throughout my career so I know of his ability. He’s been with us for a week and has also been in at other clubs over the last few months but felt the fit at Exeter was right for him.
“The project we sold to him is something that really appealed to him and we’re delighted to have him. He has real character and the knowledge and expertise he can pass on to the other midfield players will be invaluable for us.”
McDonald said: “The process has been a long time coming for after being here a couple of weeks, meeting the lads and meeting the staff and getting used to the surroundings. I saw the facilities as they are just now and what sold it to me was the new training ground that is going up. You can see for yourself what a lovely building it’s going to be and how beneficial it is. It will really attract players.
“This is a great family club and that is what Gary sold to me. He spoke about experience and wanting that in the spine of the pitch and obviously I can provide that. I’m coming into the youngest team I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Gary really believes I can be beneficial, and I believe I can be beneficial, and I have always backed myself at any club I’m at in any position. This is something entirely different to what I’ve been used to but I like to go out of my comfort zone.”
I’m sure we all wish Kevin well and it’s great, given what he’s been through, to see him back in football.
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