| Robbie Cleary | |
| Fullname: | Robert James Karl Cleary |
| Birth Date: | May 15, 2003 |
| Birth Place: | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Height: | 1.82m |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Salford City |
| Youthyears1: | 2010–2014 |
| Youthclubs1: | RVDL Lions |
| Youthyears2: | 2014–2016 |
| Youthclubs2: | Burlington Bayhawks |
| Youthyears3: | 2017–2022 |
| Youthclubs3: | Sigma FC |
| Collegeyears1: | 2021 |
| College1: | Oakland Golden Grizzlies |
| Collegecaps1: | 10 |
| Collegegoals1: | 0 |
| Years1: | 2021 |
| Clubs1: | Forge FC |
| Caps1: | 5 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 2021 |
| Clubs2: | → Sigma FC (loan) |
| Caps2: | 1 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2022 |
| Clubs3: | Sigma FC |
| Caps3: | 18 |
| Goals3: | 2 |
| Years4: | 2024– |
| Clubs4: | Salford City |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Years5: | 2024 |
| Clubs5: | → F.C. United of Manchester (loan) |
| Caps5: | 4 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Pcupdate: | September 28, 2024 |
Robert James Karl Cleary (born May 15, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for club Salford City.
Cleary began his career with the RVDL Lions, created by former Dutch player Robin van der Laan, later playing for the Burlington Bayhawks in OPDL and then moved to Sigma FC at age 14.
In January 2021, Cleary committed to Oakland University.[1] He played 10 games in 2021, recording 3 assists.[2]
In June 2021, Cleary signed a developmental contract with Canadian Premier League club Forge FC.[3] He made his professional debut on July 1 against FC Edmonton, subbing in for Chris Nanco in an eventual 2–0 defeat.[4] As part of his developmental contract, he also played with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario.[5]
In 2022, he played for Sigma FC in League1 Ontario,[6] also playing for the Sigma FC U21 in the Reserve Division where he scored 6 goals in 10 games.[7]
In May 2024, Cleary signed with English League Two club Salford City, with the deal taking effect upon the opening of the transfer window on July 1, 2024.[8] [9] In September 2024, he went on a month-long loan to F.C. United of Manchester in the seventh tier Northern Premier League Premier Division.[10]
| Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Forge FC | 2021 | Canadian Premier League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Sigma FC (loan) | 2021 | League1 Ontario | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Sigma FC | 2022 | 18 | 2 | — | — | — | 18 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 19 | 2 | — | — | — | 19 | 2 | ||||||
| Salford City | 2024–25 | EFL League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| F.C. United of Manchester (loan) | 2024–25[11] | Northern Premier League Premier | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 28 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 2 | |||