Darren Robinson

Darren Robert Russell Robinson (born 29 December 2004) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Doncaster Rovers.

Robinson spent his youth career in his native Northern Ireland at Portadown, before joining Dungannon Swifts in 2019, where he made his first team debut in 2021. In May 2021, Robinson moved to England and signed with Derby County, making his debut for the first team in April 2022. Robinson had a loan spell at Hartlepool United from August to October 2024 and another at St Patrick's Athletic from July to November 2025.

Club career Early career Portadown, County Armagh born

Dungannon Swifts Robinson signed his first professional contract with Dungannon Swifts in January 2021. During the 2020–21 season, he spent time training at English clubs Fleetwood Town, Stoke City and Derby County. He made his first-team debut for Dungannon Swifts, aged 15, on 29 May 2021 as a late substitute against Glenavon. On 15 January 2022, he was named on Derby's first-team bench for their 2–0 win over Sheffield United, having impressed for both the under-18 and under-23 teams. He made his debut for Derby on 23 April 2022 as a 82nd-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Bristol City. During the 2022–23 season, Robinson was a regular in the under-21 team and made two first team appearances, both in the EFL Trophy. and was named club scholar of the year for a second year in a row in May 2023. In the lead up the 2023–24 season, Robinson was promoted to the first team squad, taking a full part in all first team pre-season activities. Robinson featured in 10 League One matchday squads as an unused substitute during the season which ended in promotion back to the Championship for the first team, Robinson would play one first team match for Derby, in an EFL Trophy match against Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21s on 8 November 2023; playing 90 minutes as a central defender. Robinson when not part of first team squads played for the under-21s, where he took on the role of captain. On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Robinson had signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Derby until June 2026.

Hartlepool United loan In August 2024, he joined National League side Hartlepool United on loan until 1 January 2025. Robinson struggled to make an impact at Hartlepool and on 25 October 2024, was recalled from his loan by Derby after making six appearances, with only two starts.

St Patrick's Athletic loan On 28 July 2025, Robinson signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic on loan until the end of their season in November. He made his debut for the club on 3 August 2025, replacing Brandon Kavanagh from the bench in injury time of a 2–0 win over Waterford at the RSC. On 14 August 2025, he made his first start for the club, in a 3–2 defeat away to Turkish giants Beşiktaş in the UEFA Conference League. He made a total of 11 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell, before returning to his parent club.

Doncaster Rovers On 2 January 2026, Robinson joined League One club Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer, signing a two-and-a-half year deal. He made his debut for the club as an 84th-minute substitute in a 3–2 loss at home to Southampton in the FA Cup.

International career Robinson was called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team in March 2022. He made 3 appearances during the March 2022 international break.

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