Ryan Liam Delaney (born 6 September 1996) is an Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for club Oldham Athletic.
Club career Wexford Delaney joined Wexford's first team in the preseason of the 2014 season, making his debut on 21 March 2014 against Longford Town. He went on to make 12 league appearances that season. In 2015, Delaney made 16 league appearances and scored one goal against Shelbourne in a 4–1 win, as Wexford won the division. He made 16 league appearances, scoring one goal, in the first half of the 2016 Premier Division.
Burton Albion Delaney moved to Championship club Burton Albion towards the end of July 2016.
Cork City (loan) On 26 January 2017, Delaney moved on loan to League of Ireland Premier Division club Cork City on an initial six-month deal. He scored his first goal for City in a 4–0 win over Galway United at Turners Cross. After some strong performances, including a brace in a 4–1 home win over Shamrock Rovers, he won the Player of the Month award for May. Delaney extended his loan at City until the end of the season in late June. He continued to play in heart of the City defence as City won the league and FAI Cup. Delaney started in the final, as City beat Dundalk to claim the double for the first time in their history.
Rochdale Delaney joined Rochdale on a permanent deal on 9 January 2018, signing a contract for two and half years. He made his first team debut against Millwall in the fourth round of the 2017–18 FA Cup on 28 January.
On 4 July 2018, Delaney signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2021.
AFC Wimbledon (loan In September 2019 Delaney joined AFC Wimbledon on loan. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 win at Southend United.
Bolton Wanderers On 31 January 2020, Delaney signed for Bolton Wanderers on an 18 month contract. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Burton Albion. At the end of the 2020–21 season, Bolton offered Delany a new contract. However, they were unable to come to an agreement and Delaney was released at the end of his contract.
Morecambe On 22 June 2021, it was announced he would sign for Morecambe on a two-year contract once his Bolton contract expired joining former Bolton teammate Arthur Gnahoua who had also signed for Morecambe five days earlier. Delaney made his debut for the club on 7 August in a 2–2 draw with Ipswich Town.
Scunthorpe United (loan) On 31 January 2022, Delaney joined EFL League Two side Scunthorpe United on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season reuniting with Manager Keith Hill for the third time in his career having played for him at Rochdale and Bolton.
Newport County On 21 July 2023 Delaney joined EFL League Two club Newport County. He made his debut for Newport on 5 August 2023 in the starting line-up against Accrington Stanley. Delaney scored his first goal for Newport on 26 December 2023 in the 4–2 League Two win against Forest Green Rovers.
Swindon Town Delaney was offered a contract extension by Newport but he chose to move on to EFL League Two Swindon Town in June 2024.
Newport County (loan) On 14 January 2026 Delaney rejoined League Two club Newport County on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. He made his second debut for Newport on 17 January 2026 in the EFL League Two 3-2 defeat to Gillingham.Delaney second Newport debut
Delaney was released by Swindon upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2025–26 season.
Oldham Athletic On July 13, 2026, Delaney joined Oldham Athletic in a one-year contract
International career Delaney made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21 side in a 3–1 win against Azerbaijan in a qualifying match for the U21 European Championship, coming on for Danny Kane in the 90th minute.
Career statistics Club
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWexford2014Soccerway: Ryan DelaneyLeague of Ireland First Division1100010001202015League of Ireland First Division1610010001712016League of Ireland Premier Division151001000161Total422003000452Burton Albion2016–17Championship00000000002017–18Championship0000000000Total0000000000Cork City (loan)2017Extra Time: "Blarney United 0 - 5 Cork City"Extra Time: "Munster Senior Cup Final Report: Cork City 4 - 2 Wilton United (AET)"League of Ireland Premier Division306303070436Rochdale2017–18League One1824000002222018–19League One301202110352Total483602110574AFC Wimbledon (loan)2019–20League One141100010161Bolton Wanderers2019–20League One41000000412020–21League Two201100021232Total242100021273Morecambe2021–22League One130100010150Scunthorpe United (loan)2021–22League Two6000000060Career total177141208112120916 Notes
Honours Bolton Wanderers EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2020–21
References