Robert Cleary (born May 15, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Scottish League Two club Dumbarton.
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. On October 9, 2021, he recorded his first two collegiate assists in a 4–3 victory over the Cleveland State Vikings. He played 10 games in 2021, recording 3 assists.
Club career In June 2021, Cleary signed a developmental contract with Canadian Premier League club Forge FC. He made his professional debut on July 1 against FC Edmonton, subbing in for Chris Nanco in an eventual 2–0 defeat. As part of his developmental contract, he also played with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario.
In 2022, he played for Sigma FC in League1 Ontario, also playing for the Sigma FC U21 in the Reserve Division where he scored 6 goals in 10 games.
In May 2024, Cleary signed with English club Salford City FC, with the deal taking effect upon the opening of the transfer window on July 1, 2024. He made his English professional debut on August 20, 2024 in an EFL Trophy game against Port Vale FC. 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. In January 2025, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division team Bamber Bridge FC, initially on a month-long loan. The loan was later extended to the end of April 2025. In July 2025, Cleary joined League of Ireland First Division side Kerry on loan for the remainder of the season. After leaving Salford in the summer of 2026, he joined Scottish League Two side Dumbarton in August 2026 - on a deal initially until January 2027. He scored on his first league start for the club in a 2-1 win against Elgin City in September 2026.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsForge FC2021Canadian Premier League5000000050Sigma FC (loan)2021League1 Ontario10———10Sigma FC2022182———182Total192———192Salford City2024–25EFL League Two0000—20202025–260000—0000Total0000—2020F.C. United of Manchester (loan) 2024–25Northern Premier League Premier4020—0060Bamber Bridge (loan) 2024–25Northern Premier League Premier17400—00174Kerry (loan)2025League of Ireland First Division12340——163Dumbarton2026–27Scottish League Two62000040102Career total63116000607511
References
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