# Michael Keane (footballer, born 1993)
**Michael Vincent Keane** (born 1993 in [Stockport](https://www.edgepedia.org/stockport), England) is an English professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Everton of the Premier League and has earned 12 senior caps and 1 goal for the England national team, making his debut in March 2017[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane). A product of Manchester United's academy who made only one senior league appearance for the club, a 47-minute substitute outing in 2014–15[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane), he established himself at Burnley before a transfer to Everton in 2017 worth up to £30 million with add-ons[3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993, Stockport, England; twin brother of footballer Will Keane[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane) • [4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534) |
| Position and physique | Right-footed center-back; 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) per the FA, listed at 1.88 m by Transfermarkt[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane) • [4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534) |
| Clubs | Manchester United (2009–2015, no league starts), Burnley (2015–2017), Everton (2017–present)[5](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223165218/http:/www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Michael-Keane.aspx) • [3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley) |
| Transfer fees | £2m from United to Burnley (January 2015); up to £30m with add-ons from Burnley to Everton (July 2017), equalling Everton's club record[3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley) |
| England | Debut 22 March 2017 against Germany in Dortmund; 12 senior caps, 1 senior goal[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane) |
| Honors | FA Youth Cup 2011; Championship title 2015–16; Burnley Players' Player of the Year; PFA Young Player of the Year nomination[5](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223165218/http:/www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Michael-Keane.aspx) • [6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) |
| Everton totals | 259 appearances and 19 goals in all competitions as of April 2026; 258 Premier League appearances per a 2025 club feature[7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo) • [8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html) |
| Contract | Extended on 23 April 2026 to run until 30 June 2027[4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534) • [7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo) |
## Early life and family
Keane was born and raised in Stockport, Greater Manchester, where he and his twin brother Will, a forward, caught the attention of Manchester United's scouts while playing together, and both were invited into the club's academy[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane). Michael joined United on 1 July 2009[5](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223165218/http:/www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Michael-Keane.aspx); ESPN states he had been at the club since the age of 11[9](https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united/story/2604974/michael-keane-i-had-to-leave-manchester-united). He began as a right-back and full-back before moving inside to center-back, made his Reserve debut against Wigan in April 2010, and became a key figure in United's FA Youth Cup-winning team of 2011[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane) • [5](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223165218/http:/www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Michael-Keane.aspx).
The brothers' careers then diverged. Will stayed forward and, per Transfermarkt, has played for clubs including Doncaster Rovers, while Michael converted to a center-back who would reach the Premier League and full England honors[4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534). Their paths crossed at United, where the 2012 reserve league-winning side was spearheaded by Will and won Michael the club's Reserve Player of the Year award[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/).
## Manchester United and the loan circuit
Keane signed professional terms at United in 2011 and made his first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Aldershot Town that year, going on to make only four further first-team appearances for the club[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) • [9](https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united/story/2604974/michael-keane-i-had-to-leave-manchester-united). His only Premier League appearance for United was a single substitute appearance of 47 minutes in 2014–15[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane).
First-team chances being limited, he went on loan to Leicester City in 2012–13, where Burnley's official profile records 27 appearances and FBref records 22 Championship starts (1,940 minutes, 2 goals)[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) • [2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane). Further loan spells followed at Derby County (7 league appearances in 2013–14) and Blackburn Rovers (13 Championship appearances, 3 goals)[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) • [2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane).
**The move to Burnley.** Keane joined Burnley on loan in September 2014 and completed a permanent transfer in January 2015 for £2m, signing a deal until June 2018[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) • [3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley). He said he had to leave United to play first-team football[9](https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united/story/2604974/michael-keane-i-had-to-leave-manchester-united).
## Burnley breakthrough (2014–2017)
In the 2014–15 Premier League season Keane made 21 league appearances (17 starts) as Burnley finished 19th and were relegated[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane). The following season, back in the Championship, he was a near-permanent fixture in the title-winning side, partnering first Michael Duff and then [Ben Mee](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-mee): FBref records 44 league starts, 3,895 minutes, 5 goals and 1 assist, with Burnley finishing first[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane) • [6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/). His goals included vital equalizers against Brighton and [Middlesbrough](https://www.edgepedia.org/middlesbrough) during the run-in[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/).
The 2016–17 Premier League season made his reputation. He missed just three games, started 35 league matches (3,150 minutes, 2 goals, 1 assist) as Burnley finished 16th, and his form earned a nomination for the [PFA Young Player of the Year](https://www.edgepedia.org/pfa-young-player-of-the-year) award and Burnley's Players' Player of the Year Award[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane) • [6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/).
## Everton (2017–present)
Everton signed Keane on 3 July 2017 on a five-year deal for a fee that could rise to a club record-equalling £30m with add-ons; he said new manager [Ronald Koeman](https://www.edgepedia.org/ronald-koeman) was the driving force behind the move[3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley) • [4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534).
**First-choice years.** Keane was a regular from the start: 30 league appearances (29 starts) in 2017–18 as Everton finished 8th, 33 starts in 2018–19, and 31 appearances (28 starts) in 2019–20[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane). In the season covered by Everton's later feature he was the club's only league and cup ever-present player, and his form in the closing months of 2019–20 earned a recall to the England squad ahead of 2020–21[10](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1801675/keane-studying-superstar-centre-back-in-constant-improvement-pursuit).
**Fringe years and revival.** His role shrank in later seasons: he made nine Premier League appearances in 2023–24 and 14 in 2024–25, often operating as Everton's third-choice center-back behind [Jarrad Branthwaite](https://www.edgepedia.org/jarrad-branthwaite) and [James Tarkowski](https://www.edgepedia.org/james-tarkowski)[8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html). The picture reversed in 2025–26 under [David Moyes](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-moyes): Branthwaite's hamstring injury, present from the beginning of the campaign, allowed Keane's reintroduction to the starting XI, and he made 30 appearances in all competitions as a key component of Moyes' rebuild[8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html) • [7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo).
## International career
Keane's first senior England call-up came in October 2016, as a replacement for the injured [Glen Johnson](https://www.edgepedia.org/glen-johnson), while he was a Burnley player[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/) • [3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley). [Gareth Southgate](https://www.edgepedia.org/gareth-southgate), formerly his manager at Under-21 level, gave him his debut on 22 March 2017 in a friendly defeat in Germany in Dortmund, where he played 90 minutes; his second cap came in a World Cup qualifying win over [Lithuania](https://www.edgepedia.org/lithuania) at Wembley[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane) • [6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/).
His senior tally stands at 12 caps and 1 goal[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane). A recall under Southgate ahead of 2020–21 followed his strong 2019–20 club form[10](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1801675/keane-studying-superstar-centre-back-in-constant-improvement-pursuit).
## By the numbers
- **England**: 12 senior caps, 1 senior goal; debut 22 March 2017[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane).
- **Transfers**: £2m to Burnley (January 2015); up to £30m with add-ons to Everton (July 2017), equalling Everton's club record at the time[3](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley).
- **Everton**: 259 appearances and 19 goals in all competitions as of April 2026; a 2025 club feature records 258 Premier League appearances[7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo) • [8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html).
- **Peak club seasons**: 44 Championship starts and 5 goals in 2015–16; 35 Premier League starts in 2016–17; 33 Premier League starts for Everton in 2018–19[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane).
- **Recent seasons**: 9 Premier League appearances in 2023–24, 14 in 2024–25, 30 appearances in all competitions in 2025–26[8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html) • [7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo).
## What has changed since 2023
Keane's standing at Everton fell to third choice behind Branthwaite and Tarkowski across 2023–24 and 2024–25[8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html). He signed a new one-year deal in July 2025, his eighth year at the club, a decision swayed by the growing positivity around Everton and by Moyes' desire to keep his No. 5[8](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html). After the 2025–26 revival, he signed a further contract extension on 23 April 2026 to stay until June 2027, and spoke of reaching 10 years of service at Everton as "a big achievement"[4](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534) • [7](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo).
## Honors and recognition
- [FA Youth Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fa-youth-cup) with Manchester United: 2011[1](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane)
- Manchester United Reserve Player of the Year: 2012[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/)
- Championship title with Burnley: 2015–16[2](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane)
- Burnley Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year nomination: 2016–17[6](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/)
## References
1. [England player profile: Michael Keane, The FA](https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-seniors/squad/michael-keane)
2. [Michael Keane Stats, FBref](https://fbref.com/en/players/c5b7c315/Michael-Keane)
3. [Michael Keane joins Everton from Burnley, Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/10935840/everton-sign-england-international-michael-keane-from-burnley)
4. [Michael Keane – Player profile, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/michael-keane/profil/spieler/118534)
5. [Michael Keane, Official Manchester United Website (archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20140223165218/http:/www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Michael-Keane.aspx)
6. [Burnley FC first-team profile: Michael Keane (archived)](https://archive.is/20170703190822/https:/www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/defender/michael-keane/)
7. [Everton news: Michael Keane signs one-year contract extension, BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c1w4v94z1qpo)
8. [Michael Keane | Finding Focus, Everton FC](https://stories.evertonfc.com/finding-focus-michael-keane/index.html)
9. [Michael Keane: I had to leave Manchester United for Burnley to play, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/manchester-united/story/2604974/michael-keane-i-had-to-leave-manchester-united)
10. [Keane Studying Superstar Centre-Back In Constant Improvement Pursuit, Everton FC](https://www.evertonfc.com/news/1801675/keane-studying-superstar-centre-back-in-constant-improvement-pursuit)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of the British Isles (modern era) › English footballers 2015–present › Defenders › Center-backs*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license