Ryan Fulton Explained

Ryan William Fulton (born 23 May 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for side Heart of Midlothian. He has previously played for Hamilton Academical, as well as loan spells at Portsmouth and Chesterfield.

Born in England, he was a youth player for Liverpool and a youth international for Scotland.

Club career

Liverpool

Fulton was born in Burnley, Lancashire^[2] and joined Liverpool in 2007, representing them at under-10 level and upwards. Towards the end of the 2013–14 season, he made progress into the Under-21 squad. He featured sporadically during the 2014–15 campaign but was a regular starter in the UEFA Youth League for under-19 teams.

He was first called up to the senior squad for their 2015 summer tour of Asia prior to the 2015–16 season. He was made Liverpool's third-choice keeper, behind Simon Mignolet and Ádám Bogdán, after fellow reserve shot stoppers Danny Ward and Lawrence Vigouroux were sent out on loan.

Loan to Portsmouth

In January 2016, Fulton emerged as a loan target for Portsmouth as well as Aberdeen.

On 22 January 2016, he was signed by Portsmouth on a one-month youth loan deal. He made his senior debut the following day in a 1–0 defeat to Oxford United, a game in which he saved a penalty from Liam Sercombe.^[3]

Loan to Chesterfield

On 9 July 2016, he was signed by Chesterfield on a season long loan deal for the 2016–17 season, as cover for the injured first-choice goalkeeper Tommy Lee.^[4]

Hamilton Academical

On 18 July 2017, Fulton joined Hamilton Academical on a two-year deal.^{[5] [6]}

Heart of Midlothian

On 19 June 2024, Fulton joined Heart of Midlothian on a two-year deal after his contract with Hamilton expired.^[7]

International career

Although born in England, he has represented Scotland at under-16, under-19 and under-21 level.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Liverpool	2015–16	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2016–17	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Portsmouth (loan)	2015–16	League Two	12	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
Chesterfield (loan)	2016–17	League One	26	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	29	0
Hamilton Academical	2017-18	Scottish Premiership	6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
	2018–19	Scottish Premiership	4	0	1	0	1	0	1[8]	0	7	0
	2019–20	Scottish Premiership	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2020–21	Scottish Premiership	28	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	31	0
	2021–22	Scottish Championship	20	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	21	0
	2022–23	Scottish Championship	33	0	3	0	4	0	1	0	41	0
	2023–24	Scottish League One	12	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	15	0
Heart of Midlothian	2024–25	Scottish Premiership	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			141	0	9	0	11	0	3	0	164	0

Honours

Hamilton Academical

• Scottish Challenge Cup

2022–23^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: List of players under written contract registered between 01/12/2015 and 31/12/2015 . The Football Association . PDF . 2 . 2 December 2016.
2. Web site: R. Fulton . Soccerway . Perform Group . 2 December 2016.
3. News: Portsmouth 0–1 Oxford United. BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. 2 December 2016.
4. Web site: Chesterfield complete 'keeper capture. 10 July 2016. Chesterfield F.C.. 10 July 2016.
5. News: Fulton joins Hamilton Academical on permanent deal. Liverpool FC.
6. Web site: Hamilton Accies sign Liverpool goalkeeper Ryan Fulton. STV Sport. en. 2017-07-18.
7. Web site: Fulton joins the Jambos – Hearts . 2024-07-15 . www.heartsfc.co.uk . en.
8. Appearance as an over-age player for Hamilton under-21s in the Scottish Challenge Cup in which age-restricted sides from the Scottish Premiership clubs compete against senior clubs
9. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65008695 Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical