Jonny Evans

West Bromwich Albion

Evans signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee on 29 August 2015. He made his debut for the club on 12 September 2015 in a 0–0 draw against Southampton. On 2 January 2016, Evans scored his first West Brom goal in a 2–1 victory over Stoke City. On 15 May 2016, before the final game of the season, he received the Players' Player of the Season award for his first season at the club.

He had to wait a long time for his next goal, which came in a 3–1 win over Watford on 3 December 2016. His next goal came in a 2–1 loss against Swansea on the final game of the season.

In July 2017, following the departure of club skipper Darren Fletcher to Stoke City, Evans was confirmed permanent captain by head coach Tony Pulis. He scored his first goal of the season on 30 September 2017 in a 2–2 draw against Watford, scoring a header as he had done ten months earlier against the same opponent. His second goal of the season was against Brighton at home on 13 January 2018, which brought his side's first league win in five months and 20 games.

Leicester City In June 2018, Leicester City triggered the £3.5 million relegation release clause in Evans' West Brom contract. He signed a three-year contract with the Foxes, and made his Leicester debut in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 18 August 2018. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 defeat to Crystal Palace on 23 February 2019.

Evans made his 400th appearance in English football on 12 July 2020 and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Evans was appointed captain following the departure of previous captain Kasper Schmeichel.

Return to Manchester United After training with Manchester United following his release by Leicester at the end of the 2022–23 season, it was announced on 18 July that Evans had signed a short-term deal with the club, allowing him to travel with the squad for a pre-season friendly against Lyon in Edinburgh. On 1 September, it was announced that Evans had signed a one-year contract with the club. Two days later, he made his return debut against Arsenal as a substitute, where Declan Rice's shot deflected off him in stoppage time to make it 2–1, in a match which ended in a 3–1 defeat. Following an injury to Lisandro Martínez, Evans was handed his first start of the season on 23 September in a 1–0 win against Burnley, with Evans assisting the winner scored by Bruno Fernandes. It also marked his 200th appearance for the club in all competitions.

Evans played in the 2024 FA Cup final against local rivals Manchester City and helped United win 2–1. This meant he had completed a milestone in winning every major trophy possible with United. On 12 July 2024, Evans signed a new one-year contract with the club. He took part in the 2024 FA Community Shield, another Manchester derby game which was level after 90 minutes and went to a penalty shootout. Evans took United's seventh penalty, shooting over the bar allowing City to win the shield 7–6.

On 19 December 2024, Evans scored his first goal since his return to Manchester United, in a 4–3 defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. In late May 2025, it was announced that he would leave the club following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season. On 30 May 2025, Evans played his last professional football match against Hong Kong during a post-season Asia tour. After the match, he retired from professional football, totalling over 600 appearances for club and country in 19 years. Upon retirement, he was appointed to a role in the club's youth development setup. Evans' retirement brought to an end a 51-year period during which Manchester United always had in their squad a player who would appear or had appeared under Alex Ferguson.

International career Before making his senior debut for Manchester United, Evans was called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2006, and made his debut in the memorable 3–2 victory over Spain. On 28 March 2009, Evans scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win over Poland in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, volleying home from close range.

On 28 May 2016, Evans was included by national team manager Michael O'Neill in Northern Ireland's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016. This was the first time Northern Ireland had ever been involved in the finals of the competition, and their first major tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup. The team eventually reached the round of 16, being knocked out by Wales after a 1–0 defeat. Evans participated in all four of Northern Ireland's games in the tournament. A goalless draw in the second leg three days later meant Northern Ireland were eliminated from qualification. Evans nearly scored a winner in injury time of the second leg which would have levelled the aggregate score; his header beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer but was cleared off the line by defender Ricardo Rodriguez, who had converted the penalty in the first leg.

Evans scored his third goal at senior international level when he opened the scoring against Belarus in Northern Ireland's second game of the Euro 2020 qualification phase. On 27 September 2022 in the Nations League game against Greece, he became the fourth player to make 100 appearances for Northern Ireland.

On 28 August 2024, after 107 caps, Evans retired from international football.

Post-playing career On 30 June 2025, Evans was appointed as head of loans and pathways at Manchester United. The role is focused around maximising the development of United's young players. He left this role in December 2025.

On 6 January 2026, after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher confirmed that Evans had returned to the club to assist him with the coaching and preparation of United's next Premier League fixture against Burnley. A week later, when United appointed Michael Carrick as head coach until the end of the 2025–26 season, the club confirmed that Evans would continue to work with the first-team and form part of Carrick's coaching staff.

Personal life Evans was born in Belfast. He was a student at Belfast High School in Newtownabbey before being enrolled at Ashton-on-Mersey School in Sale, Greater Manchester, once he had been signed by Manchester United. He holds nine GCSEs, all A* or A grades.

On 19 December 2007, Evans was arrested in connection with an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held. On 8 March 2008, it was reported that he would not be prosecuted for any offence.

On 1 June 2013, Evans married Helen McConnell, an MUTV reporter, at Clough Presbyterian Church in Clough, Northern Ireland. As of December 2019, the couple have three children.

Evans was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to association football in Northern Ireland.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first

Manchester United Premier League: 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13 FA Cup: 2023–24 Football League Cup: 2008–09, 2009–10 FA Community Shield: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 UEFA Champions League: 2007–08; runner-up: 2008–09 FIFA Club World Cup: 2008 UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2024–25

Leicester City FA Cup: 2020–21

Orders Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): 2023