Lee Erwin (footballer) explained

Lee Erwin
Fullname:Lee Harry Erwin[1]
Birth Date:1994 3, df=y
Birth Place:Bellshill, Scotland
Height:[2]
Currentclub:HJK
Clubnumber:94
Position:Striker
Youthyears1:2006–2012
Youthclubs1:Motherwell
Years1:2012–2015
Clubs1:Motherwell
Caps1:34
Goals1:5
Years2:2013
Clubs2:→ Arbroath (loan)
Caps2:11
Goals2:8
Years3:2015–2017
Clubs3:Leeds United
Caps3:11
Goals3:0
Years4:2015
Clubs4:→ Bury (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:→ Oldham Athletic (loan)
Caps5:34
Goals5:8
Years6:2017–2018
Clubs6:Kilmarnock
Caps6:35
Goals6:5
Years7:2018–2019
Clubs7:Tractor
Caps7:6
Goals7:4
Years8:2019–2020
Clubs8:Ross County
Caps8:21
Goals8:1
Years9:2020–2022
Clubs9:St Mirren
Caps9:30
Goals9:3
Years10:2022
Clubs10:Haka
Caps10:28
Goals10:20
Years11:2022–2024
Clubs11:Ahed
Caps11:30
Goals11:15
Years12:2024–
Clubs12:HJK
Caps12:11
Goals12:5
Nationalyears1:2010–2011
Nationalteam1:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2012
Nationalteam2:Scotland U18
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2012
Nationalteam3:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps3:3
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:19 October 2024

Lee Harry Erwin (born 19 March 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Veikkausliiga club HJK Helsinki. He is a Scottish youth international, having played at the under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.

Erwin has played for various sides in Scotland (namely Motherwell, Arbroath, Kilmarnock, Ross County and St Mirren) and England (Leeds United, Bury and Oldham Athletic). He also played in Iran for Tractor in 2018–19, in Finland for Haka in 2022 and in Lebanon for Ahed in 2022–23.

Club career

Motherwell

Erwin is a product of the Motherwell Academy.[3] In the summer of 2012, he signed a three-year contract with the club.[4]

On 30 August 2013, Erwin joined Scottish League One club Arbroath on an initial one-month loan deal[5] The following day, he scored twice on his debut as Arbroath beat Brechin City 2–1;[6] the loan period was twice extended for a further month.[7] [8] He left the Gayfield Park club having scored eight goals in 11 appearances.

Shortly after returning to Motherwell, Erwin suffered a serious knee injury in a Scottish Youth Cup match against Kilmarnock that looked like it could end his involvement that season,[9] although he returned to feature for the under-20s before the end of the season.

On 17 July 2014, Erwin made his senior debut for Motherwell as a substitute in a 2–2 draw against Stjarnan in the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round first leg after being promoted to the first team by Manager Stuart McCall.[10] He scored his first goal for the club on his league debut, a 1–0 win against St Mirren on 9 August 2014.[11]

On 29 April 2015, with Erwin's contract set to expire at the end of the 2014–15 season, Motherwell offered him a new three-year deal, however Erwin advised he would be concentrating on helping keep Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership before looking into his own future.[12] After becoming a regular starter under new manager Ian Baraclough, who played Erwin as a central striker,[13] he ended the 2014–15 season in fine form, scoring five goals in his last nine games of the season.[14]

Erwin scored on the 28 May for Motherwell in a 3–1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox in the first leg of the SPFL Premiership relegation/promotion playoff.[15] On 31 May, during the second leg against Rangers, Erwin won a penalty which was converted by John Sutton to help Motherwell record a 3–0 win and a 6–1 on aggregate victory to stay in the Premiership. However, after the match, Erwin was involved in an incident when he went to shake Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni's hand, Mohsni refused, which resulted in Erwin pushing Mohsni who reacted by kicking, then punching, Erwin, causing a mass brawl between the players. On 1 June, Police Scotland announced an investigation into the incident at Fir Park.[16] After initial reports that Erwin had been sent off after the game,[17] the Scottish Football Association revealed that Erwin had only received a yellow card from referee Craig Thomson after the game for his part in the incident.[18] He ended the season with six goals in 36 appearances (including the playoff matches) with 22 of the 36 games as a starter, and 14 coming off the bench.

On 2 June, Motherwell confirmed that they had offered Erwin a new three-year contract,[19] but it was also reported that he had been offered a contract by Football League Championship club Leeds United, with compensation due to Motherwell should Erwin accept Leeds' offer instead.[20] [21]

Leeds United

After much speculation, on 10 June 2015 Erwin signed a three-year deal with Football League Championship club Leeds United.[22] On 31 July, he was given the number 19 shirt for the upcoming 2015–16 season.[23] After being an unused substitute under Uwe Rosler, in October 2015 Erwin moved to Bury on a 28-day loan.[24] After playing three games, he returned to Leeds in November 2015, upon expiry of his loan, with new Leeds head coach Steve Evans stating he wanted to give Erwin a bigger opportunity to play.[25] He made his Leeds debut on 21 November 2015, against Rotherham United in a controversial 1–0 defeat.[26]

On 9 July 2016, Erwin signed for Oldham Athletic on a season-long loan.[27] [28] He scored his first goal for Oldham in a 3–2 loss against Shrewsbury Town on 3 September 2016.[29]

In 40 appearances in all competitions for Oldham Athletic during the 2016–17 season, Erwin scored 10 goals (8 in the league), finishing the club's top goalscorer for the season.[30]

Despite scoring four goals in his first two pre-season games back at Leeds United, on 13 July 2017 he and Toumani Diagouraga were deemed surplus to requirements at the club by new head coach Thomas Christiansen and were not named as part of Leeds' travelling squad to Kufstein in Austria.[31]

Kilmarnock

Erwin signed a two-year contract with Kilmarnock in July 2017.[32] He scored on his debut against Dumbarton on 21 July 2017, in the Scottish League Cup.[33]

Tractor

Erwin moved to Iranian football in August 2018, signing with Tractor.[34] On 9 November 2018, in Tractor's game against Zob Ahan, Erwin came on after 53 minutes and got the fastest hat-trick in Iran Pro League history in seven minutes.[35]

Ross County

On 23 July 2019, Erwin signed for Scottish Premiership side Ross County on a two-year deal.[36] He made his debut against Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup in a 3–2 defeat. His first goal for the club would come against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, a late winner in a 1–0 victory.

St Mirren

On 10 September 2020, Erwin signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership side St Mirren after the striker was allowed to leave Ross County due to 'family reasons'.[37] On 17 February 2022, St Mirren confirmed that Erwin had left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[38]

Haka

Later that same day, Erwin signed a one-year deal with Haka in Finnish top-tier Veikkausliiga. Erwin recorded a successful 2022 season, scoring 20 goals in the league and winning the golden boot. His goals helped Haka finish 4th in Veikkausliiga and eventually qualify for the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.[39]

Ahed

In November 2022, Lebanese Premier League club Ahed announced the signing of Erwin.[40] Ahed announced departure of Erwin in June 2024.[41]

HJK

On 2 July 2024, Erwin returned to Finland and signed with reigning champions HJK Helsinki for the rest of the 2024 season.[42] Erwin has yet to start a league game in which he has not scored, recording five goals in eight appearances. Erwin scored his first brace in the Conference League Play off round first leg match against Klaksvik, which ended 2–2. He also scored HJK’s 2–1 stoppage time tie-winning goal in the second leg, clinching his team a spot in the Conference League.

International career

Erwin has been capped by Scotland at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.[43]

Personal life

His father, Harry, made 351 appearances in the Scottish Football League, playing for Airdrie, Stenhousemuir, Alloa and East Stirlingshire between 1978 and 1991.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Motherwell2013–14Scottish Premiership00000000–00
2014–15Scottish Premiership34510001021386
Total34510001021386
Arbroath (loan)2013–14Scottish League One1180000—00118
Leeds United2015–16Championship1101000—00120
2016–17Championship000000—0000
Total1101000—00120
Bury (loan)2015–16League One300000—0030
Oldham Athletic (loan)2016–17League One3482020—224010
Kilmarnock2017–18Scottish Premiership3454121––407
2018–19Scottish Premiership000041––41
Total34541620000448
Tractor2018–19Persian Gulf Pro League6410–––74
Ross County2019–20Scottish Premiership1711010––191
2020–21Scottish Premiership400000––40
Total21110100000231
St Mirren2020–21Scottish Premiership2733050––353
2021–22Scottish Premiership300041––71
Total30330910000424
Haka2022Veikkausliiga28204130––3521
Al Ahed2022–23Lebanese Premier League10632–––138
2023–24Lebanese Premier League209104583103417
Total3015424583104725
HJK2024Veikkausliiga1150000105–2110
Career total253742142581985432298

Honours

Ahed

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Retained list: 2015/16 . English Football League . 29 . 29 June 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202052144/http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf . 2 December 2016 .
  2. Web site: Lee Erwin profile. Motherwell F.C.. 23 July 2014. 4 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231704/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/players/first-team/lee-erwin/ . 9 November 2013.
  3. Web site: Erwin dreaming of debut. Scottish Professional Football League. Stewart. Craig. 28 February 2014. 27 July 2014. 12 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812062444/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/erwin-closes-in-on-long-awaited-motherwell-debut/. dead.
  4. Web site: Erwin gets Scotland U19s call. Motherwell F.C.. 1 August 2012. 27 July 2014. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031849/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2012/08/01/erwin-gets-scotland-u19s-call/. live.
  5. News: Erwin joins Arbroath on loan. Motherwell F.C.. 30 August 2013. 23 July 2014. 29 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171029070714/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2013/08/30/erwin-joins-arbroath-on-loan/. live.
  6. Web site: Arbroath 2–1 Brechin: Loan striker Lee Erwin at the double in dream debut. The Courier. 2 September 2013. 27 July 2014. 28 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140728003028/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/league-1/arbroath-2-1-brechin-loan-striker-lee-erwin-at-the-double-in-dream-debut-1.126075. live.
  7. Web site: Sheerin wants consistency. Arbroath Herald. Newton. Jennifer. 5 October 2013. 27 July 2014. 28 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140728005919/http://www.arbroathherald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/sheerin-wants-consistency-1-3124243. live.
  8. Web site: Erwin extends Gayfield stay. Scottish Professional Football League. 29 October 2013. 27 July 2014. 12 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140812062158/http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/eriwn-extends-gayfield-stay/. live.
  9. Web site: Erwin facing lengthy injury layoff. Motherwell F.C.. 4 December 2013. 27 July 2014. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518080446/http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2013/12/04/erwin-facing-lengthy-injury-layoff/. live.
  10. News: Motherwell 2–2 UMF Stjarnan. BBC Sport. 17 July 2014. 23 July 2014. 24 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140724001126/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28278573. live.
  11. Web site: Motherwell 1–0 St Mirren. BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. 9 August 2014. 8 August 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808231458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28647036. live.
  12. Web site: Exclusive: Motherwell want Lee Erwin to stay. Daily Express. 29 April 2015. 29 April 2015. 30 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150430192725/http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/573902/EXCLUSIVE-Motherwell-want-Lee-Erwin-to-stay. live.
  13. Web site: Motherwell offer Rangers rammy kid Lee Erwin a new deal as FIFTEEN leave. 2 June 2015. 13 July 2020. 22 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191222161559/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-offer-rangers-rammy-kid-5809602. live.
  14. Web site: Motherwell 5 St Mirren 0. BBC Sport. 7 April 2015. 7 April 2015. 9 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150409061137/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32088290. live.
  15. Web site: Rangers 1 Motherwell 3. BBC Sport. 28 May 2015. 28 May 2015. 31 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150531192125/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32860703. live.
  16. News: Motherwell v Rangers: Police investigating ugly scenes involving fans and player Bilel Mohsni . The Independent . 1 June 2015 . 2 June 2015 . 2 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150602033727/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/rangers-fail-to-gain-promotion-ugly-scenes-involving-fans-and-bilel-mohsni-follow-motherwell-win-10287665.html . live .
  17. News: BBC Sport – Rangers co-operate over 'disgraceful' Fir Park brawl . BBC Sport . 31 May 2015 . 12 February 2018 . 3 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150703105748/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32953422 . live .
  18. News: Motherwell's Lee Erwin was not sent off for his part in the 'Battle of Fir Park' with Bilel Mohsni. Daily Record. 2 June 2015. 2 June 2015. 6 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906163311/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwells-lee-erwin-not-sent-5810180. live.
  19. News: Motherwell offer Rangers rammy kid Lee Erwin a new deal as fifteen players leave Fir Park. Daily Record. 2 June 2015. 2 June 2015. 2 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150602231327/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-offer-rangers-rammy-kid-5809602. live.
  20. Web site: Leeds United quietly confident of landing Lee Erwin. Yorkshire Evening Post. 1 June 2015. 1 June 2015. 3 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150603011001/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-quietly-confident-of-landing-lee-erwin-1-7288834. live.
  21. Web site: Leeds United: Whites line up alternatives in case Bamba deal falls through. Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 June 2015. 2 June 2015. 8 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150808043436/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-whites-line-up-alternatives-in-case-bamba-deal-falls-through-1-7289697. live.
  22. Web site: Striker Erwin joins from Motherwell. Leeds United A.F.C.. 10 June 2015. 10 June 2015. 10 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610173847/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/1lu002f08cexf1nlgsv2zr5315/title/striker-erwin-joins-from-motherwell. live.
  23. News: Leeds United . 31 July 2015 . 31 July 2015 . 2015/16 squad numbers announced . 3 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150803005811/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/13qz1j2snco7s1ip1xc6j5mk2b/title/201516-squad-numbers-announced . live .
  24. Web site: Lee Erwin: Bury sign Leeds United striker on 28-day loan. BBC Sport. 9 October 2015. 9 July 2016. 19 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181219101441/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34488245. live.
  25. Web site: Lee Erwin returns to Leeds United from Bury loan. Sky Sports. 5 November 2015. 9 July 2016. 15 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160815095050/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/10056562/lee-erwin-returns-to-leeds-united-from-bury-loan. live.
  26. News: Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi has ban reduced to two games after appealing Rotherham red card . 21 November 2015 . 21 November 2015 . TalkSport . 27 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160127135411/http://talksport.com/football/leeds-defender-gaetano-berardi-has-ban-reduced-two-games-after-appealing-rotherham-red-card#LreUD945jOfYi7Vb.99 . live .
  27. Web site: Oldham: Josh Law, Connor Ripley and Lee Erwin sign as Stephen Robinson's first deals. BBC Sport. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016. 12 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160712094443/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36754620. live.
  28. News: Leeds United: Whites decide not to take a risk on defender Ekstrand . Yorkshire Evening Post . 13 July 2016 . 26 August 2016 . 28 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160828211212/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-whites-decide-not-to-take-a-risk-on-defender-ekstrand-1-8008929 . live .
  29. News: Oldham 2–3 Shrewsbury. BBC. 3 September 2016. 5 October 2016. 10 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160910200651/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37202356. live.
  30. News: Oldham Athletic Top Scorers. BBC. 30 May 2017. 30 May 2017. 30 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170830070259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/oldham-athletic/top-scorers. live.
  31. News: Fringe pair both set to leave Leeds United. BBC. 22 July 2017. 22 July 2017. 17 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170717014222/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fringe-pair-both-set-to-leave-leeds-united-1-8648204. live.
  32. Web site: Lee Erwin: Kilmarnock sign former Motherwell striker . BBC Sport . 28 July 2017 . 28 July 2017 . 31 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170731010349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40754852 . live .
  33. Web site: Kilmarnock 3–0 Dumbarton: Lee Erwin nets as Killie progress. The Scotsman. Newport. Andy. 29 July 2017. 1 August 2017. 31 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170731234140/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/dumbarton/kilmarnock-3-0-dumbarton-lee-erwin-nets-as-killie-progress-1-4517355. live.
  34. Web site: Lee Erwin leaves Kilmarnock for John Toshack's Tractor in Iran . BBC Sport . 13 August 2018 . 13 August 2018 . 10 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180910150434/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45175905 . live .
  35. https://90tv.ir/news/با-عبور-از-آرش-برهانی-لی-اروین-رکورد-تاریخ-لیگ-برتر-را-شکست
  36. Web site: Ross County sign goalkeeper Jack Ruddy on a six-month deal . BBC Sport . 23 July 2019 . 23 July 2019 . 23 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190723170516/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49082808 . live .
  37. Web site: Lee Erwin: St Mirren sign striker after Ross County exit 'for family reasons' . BBC Sport . 10 September 2020 . 18 February 2022 . 18 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220218034132/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54106987 . live .
  38. Web site: Lee Erwin leaves by mutual consent . St Mirren FC . 17 February 2022 . 18 February 2022 . 18 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220218034132/https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/4300-lee-erwin-leaves-by-mutual-consent . live .
  39. Haka. FC HAKA LÖYSI HYÖKKÄÄJÄN – "HÄN TÄYTTÄÄ KAIKKI PROFIILIHYÖKKÄÄJÄN VAATIMUKSET". 17 February 2022. 17 February 2022. fi. 17 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220217222152/https://fchaka.fi/uutiset/fc-haka-loysi-hyokkaajan-han-tayttaa-kaikki-profiilihyokkaajan-vaatimukset/. live.
  40. Web site: لي إروين في العهد.. مبلغٌ مبالغٌ فيه . 2022-11-08 . lebanonfg.com . en . 8 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108134414/http://lebanonfg.com/single/3413 . live .
  41. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=935559448581921&set=a.463566505781220
  42. https://www.hjk.fi/artikkelit/miehet/lee-erwin-vahvistaa-hjkn-hyokkaysta/ Lee Erwin vahvistaa HJK:n hyökkäystä
  43. Web site: Lee Erwin player profile. Scottish Football Association. 27 July 2014. 18 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518072546/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1848&playerID=74905&squadID=9. live.
  44. Web site: Liimatta . Ville . 1 December 2023 . Vuoden 2022 Captain's Ball: Kaikki voittajat ja palkitut kootusti . 1 February 2023 . SuomiFutis . fi . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129051600/https://www.suomifutis.com/2022/12/captains-ball-2022-voittajat-palkitut/ . live .
  45. Web site: Perinteinen Koplajoukkue nimetty - jalkapallotoimittajien valinnat kauden parhaiksi . 1 February 2023 . www.veikkausliiga.com . fi . 6 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206135836/http://www.veikkausliiga.com/uutiset/2022/10/16/perinteinen-koplajoukkue-nimetty-jalkapallotoimittajien-valinnat-kauden-parhaiksi . live .
  46. Web site: Suomen Palloliitto . 1 January 2024 . 17 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221017101722/https://tulospalvelu.palloliitto.fi/category/VL!spljp22/statistics/points . live .
  47. https://www.jpy.fi/fi/uutiset/lee-erwin-veikkausliigan-kuukauden-pelaaja Lee Erwin Veikkausliigan kuukauden pelaaja
  48. https://www.jpy.fi/fi/uutiset/lee-erwin-jalleen-veikkausliigan-kuukauden-pelaaja Lee Erwin jälleen Veikkausliigan kuukauden pelaaja

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