Chris McCann

Wigan Athletic On 26 June 2013, McCann agreed to join Wigan Athletic following the expiry of his contract with Burnley at the end of the month, reuniting with former Burnley manager Owen Coyle. Two years prior, he was linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers, where Coyle was managing at the time. But Coyle did not opted to sign McCann and instead signed Darren Pratley. Upon joining the club, he was given a number seven shirt.

McCann made his Wigan Athletic debut, coming on as a 70th minutes substitute, in a 4–0 win against Barnsley in the opening game of the season. A month later on 19 September 2013, he made his European debut in a UEFA Europa League match against Zulte Waregem, as the club drew 0–0. On 12 December 2013, McCann received his first red card in a Wigan Athletic's shirt for second bookable offence, in a 2–1 loss against NK Maribor. Nine days later on 21 December 2013, he scored first goal for the club, in a 2–1 win against Reading. McCann scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–1 win against Cardiff City in the fifth round of the FA Cup, which was followed–up, in a 2–1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion. However, he suffered "a multiple fracture of his right knee cap" after colliding with Micah Richards, in a 2–1 win against Manchester City on 9 March 2014, and was out for the rest of the 2014–15 season. In his first season at Wigan Athletic, McCann found his playing time, coming from the substitute bench but went on to make thirty–nine appearances and scoring three times in all competitions.

The start of the 2014–15 season saw McCann continue to rehabilitate from his injury before making his return in Wigan Athletic's reserve match against Everton's reserve in a behind closed doors friendly match, playing only 60 minute. He made his first appearance of the 2014–15 season, coming on as a 84th minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion on 4 November 2014. Three weeks later on 29 November 2014, McCann scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Sheffield Wednesday. Two weeks later on 13 December 2014, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–1 loss against Watford. However, McCann found himself out of the first team, with injuries and being placed on the substitute bench reduced his playing time. At the end of the 2014–15 season, which saw the club relegated to League One, he finished his second season with Wigan Athletic, making eighteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

The start of the 2015–16 season saw McCann rotate in playing both defender and midfield positions. He scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Port Vale on 12 September 2015. By late–September, McCann began to play in the centre–back position. This last until on 28 November 2015 when he suffered a groin injury during a match against Southend United and was substituted in the 42nd minute, as Wigan Athletic drew 0–0. After missing two matches, McCann made his return from injury, coming on as a 67th minute substitute, in a 3–1 win against Fleetwood Town on 28 December 2015. Two weeks later on 12 January 2016, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–3 draw against Sheffield United. After missing one match due to a toe injury, McCann returned to the starting line–up, playing in a right–back position, in a 1–1 draw against Crewe Alexandra on 23 January 2016. He began to play in the right–back position on four occasions until being suspended for two matches. After serving a two match suspension, McCann returned to the starting line–up, playing in the right–midfield position, against Swindon Town and set up the club's first goal of the game, in a 4–1 win on 25 March 2016. Since returning from suspension, he soon found himself placed on the substitute bench following the new signing of Stephen Warnock. But McCann found himself on the score sheet when he first score, coming against Southend United, in a 4–1 win. In a follow–up match against Blackpool, McCann scored the opener and then set up two goals, in a 4–0 win, which saw Wigan Athletic promoted to the Championship and ending the season as champions. At the end of the 2015–16 season, he made forty appearances and scoring four times in all competitions. Following this, McCann was offered a new contract by the club.

Atlanta United

On 6 July 2016, it was announced that McCann would join Atlanta United for their inaugural season in 2017. He went out on loan between the time of his signing and the beginning of the 2017 MLS season.

McCann made his debut for the club, coming on as a 77th minute substitute, in a 6–1 victory over fellow MLS newcomers Minnesota United FC on 12 March 2017. However, he found his playing time, coming from the substitute bench. Following the injury of Greg Garza, McCann began to play in the left–back position for the rest of the 2017 season. However during a 3–2 loss against Minnesota United FC on 4 October 2017, he suffered an injury and was substituted in the 44th minute that saw him miss one match. At the end of the 2017 season, he went on to make twenty–six appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2018 season, McCann began playing in both the midfield position and centre–back position. He then scored his first goal for Atlanta United from a header, in a 2–2 draw against New York City on 15 April 2018. However, McCann suffered a hamstring injury that saw him miss four matches. On 31 May 2018, he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against New England Revolution. However, his return was short–lived when McCann suffered a hamstring injury during a 1–1 draw against Philadelphia Union on 3 June 2018 and missed five matches as a result. On 8 July 2018, he made his return from injury, coming on as a 73rd minute substitute, in a 2–0 win against Philadelphia Union. Since his return from injury, McCann regained his first team place, playing in the left–back position. However, he found himself out on three occasions towards the end of the 2018 season, due to injuries and suspension. Despite this, McCann made an appearance in the MLS Cup final against Portland Timbers, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win the tournament. At the end of the 2018 season, he made twenty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

On 9 February 2019, McCann was waived by Atlanta United.

Loan to Coventry City On 2 August 2016, McCann joined Coventry City on loan until the start of the 2017 Major League Soccer campaign.

He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Bury in the opening game of the season. However in a match against Fleetwood Town on 3 September 2016, McCann suffered an injury and was substituted in the 38th minute, as Coventry City loss 2–0. On 28 September 2016, he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against AFC Wimbledon. In a follow–up match against Port Vale, McCann scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–0 win. His return was short–lived when he suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted in the 16th minute, in a 2–0 win against Rochdale. On 4 December 2016, McCann made his return from injury, starting a match and played 77 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–1 loss against Cambridge United in the second round of the FA Cup. On 31 December 2016, his loan spell with Coventry City ended and returned to Atlanta United.

D.C. United McCann signed with D.C. United on 12 February 2019.

He made his debut for the club, starting the match and played 75 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–1 win against Orlando City on 31 March 2019. During a 0–0 against Montreal Impact on 9 April 2019, however, McCann suffered a muscle injury and was substituted in the 56th minute. On 16 May 2019, he made his return from injury, starting a match and played 62 minutes before being substituted, in a 0–0 draw against Toronto FC. On 12 June 2019, McCann scored his first goal for D.C. United from a header against the Philadelphia Union in the U.S. Open Cup.

D.C. United and McCann mutually parted ways on 31 July 2019. By the time he left the club, McCann made seven appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Oldham Athletic McCann signed with Oldham Athletic on 18 October 2019 on a short-term deal.

He made his debut for the club the next day 19 October 2019, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 defeat against Macclesfield Town. McCann then captained Oldman Athletic twice between 10 November 2019 and 13 November 2019, both in a cup competitions. In early–January, however, he suffered a knock that saw him out for a month. While rehabilitating his injury, McCann signed a contract with the club, keeping him until the end of the 2019–20 season. He made his return from injury, coming on as a late substitute, in a 3–0 win against Bradford City on 1 February 2020. Following his return, McCann received handful of starts for Oldham Athletic until the season came to a premature end due to the global pandemic COVID-19. At the end of the 2019–20 season, he made nineteen appearances in all competitions. On 1 July 2020, McCann was among nine players to be released by the club.

Shamrock Rovers On 14 December 2020, McCann signed for the League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers. Upon joining the club, he said that his aim of joining Shamrock Rovers was to win trophies.

He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, against Dundalk in the President of Ireland's Cup, losing 5–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw. Since joining Shamrock Rovers, McCann became a first team regular, playing in the defensive midfield position. However, his first season at the club was plagued with injuries and suspension that saw his playing time reduced. Despite this, he started the match against Finn Harps on 29 October 2021 and helped the club win 3–0 to win the league for the second time in a row. At the end of the 2021 season, McCann made twenty–seven appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2022 season, McCann appeared as an unused substitute bench in the President of Ireland's Cup against St Patrick's Athletic, as Shamrock Rovers won 5–4 to win the match following a 1–1 draw throughout extra time. He found his second season at the club reduced, due to being on the substitute bench. However, McCann also faced his own injury concerns along the way. Despite this, his contributions in the 2022 season saw Shamrock Rovers win the league for the third consecutive time. When the 2022 season finished, McCann made twenty–two appearances in all competitions. On 2 December 2022, he was released by the club after they decided against offering him a new contract.

Burton Albion On 4 February 2023, McCann moved back to England when he joined Burton Albion for the rest of the 2022–23 season.

McCann made his debut on the same day against Fleetwood Town and played 76 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–2 win. In his third appearance against Bristol Rovers on 18 February 2023, he suffered a knock and was substituted in the 25th minute, as the club won 2–1. After the match, manager Dino Maamria revealed that McCann suffered both a concussion and a calf injury. Even after returning from injury, McCann never played for Burton Albion again, as he made three appearances in all competitions. Following this, McCann was released by the club.

1874 Northwich On 25 November 2023, 1874 Northwich of the Northern Premier League Division One West announced the signing of McCann. He made his debut on the same day, in a 2–1 loss against Avro.

Coaching career

On 17 December 2024, he was appointed as Lead Youth Development Phase (YDP) Coach at EFL League Two side Salford City.

International career McCann has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level.

He was first called up to the Republic of Ireland U21s for the matches against Montenegro and Bulgaria on 16 and 20 November 2007 for the 2009 European U21 Championship qualifiers. On the wake of his call-up Ireland U21 manager, Don Givens, stated that "Chris has been involved with Ireland at other age levels but this is his first call-up to the Under-21 panel. He is a good player and deserves a chance at this level". McCann was selected in the squad for the 1–0 defeat to Montenegro in Podgorica. However, he had to withdraw due to an injury. This was unexpected news as he has played the week before against Preston North End after he had miss three games with a groin injury.

McCann was again named on the bench for the second match against Bulgaria but opted out of the squad two hours prior to kick-off claiming it was a waste of his time being there. Don Givens criticised McCann saying, "I can never understand anybody that doesn't want to pull on the green shirt". He also added that this event could hinder McCann's future international career, "Will I pick him again? Would you?". Ireland went on to win the match in Athlone regardless of McCann's actions through a 90th-minute winner from the Watford midfielder John-Joe O'Toole. However, Givens later apologised for his criticism, "I take it back, its nice to see Chris developing into a player of true class". Despite smoothing things over with Givens, he was never called up to the under-21s again.

Since that event, McCann has stated his desire on three occasions to play for the full national side and hoped that his form for his club side could push him into Giovanni Trapattoni's squad, but this never happened.

Personal McCann is close friends with teammate Kyle Lafferty. Growing up, he supported Manchester United and idolised Andy Cole, who was his teammate at Burnley. On 11 June 2016, McCann married Gaynor Boult and together, they have two children.

McCann earned his U.S. green card in February 2017. This status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. He lived in the United States for three years before moving back to England, due to his wife unable to settle in the country following the birth of their second child.

Career statistics

Honours Burnley Football League Championship play-offs: 2008–09

Wigan Athletic League One: 2015–16

Atlanta United MLS Cup: 2018

Shamrock Rovers League of Ireland Premier Division: 2021, 2022 President of Ireland's Cup: 2022