# Paul McLean (footballer, born 1990)

Paul McLean (born 2 February 1990) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Lowland League club Cowdenbeath as a player/coach. McLean previously played with Brechin City, where he spent 10 years and also captained the side and was at Stirling Albion.

## Career

McLean started his career as a youth player with Norwich City F.C. Under-23s and Academy, after a successful trial in 2005 saw him being offered a contract for the 2006–07 season. He spent two years in England, before subsequently moving back to Scotland with Falkirk in 2007. His first contract as a senior footballer came when, at the age of 19, he was signed by Jim Duffy for Brechin City on a two-year deal.
After 10 years at Brechin, McLean left the club in May 2019 and signed for Stirling Albion.
In May 2024 he joined Cowdenbeath as a player-coach after four seasons with the binos'.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 20 July 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Scottish Cup | Scottish Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Brechin City | 2009–10 | Scottish Second Division | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| Brechin City | 2010–11 | Scottish Second Division | 27 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| Brechin City | 2011–12 | Scottish Second Division | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Brechin City | 2012–13 | Scottish Second Division | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 3 |
| Brechin City | 2013–14 | Scottish League One | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| Brechin City | 2014–15 | Scottish League One | 33 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 42 | 7 |
| Brechin City | 2015–16 | Scottish League One | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Brechin City | 2016–17 | Scottish League One | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 35 | 3 |
| Brechin City | 2017–18 | Scottish Championship | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 1 |
| Brechin City | 2018–19 | Scottish League One | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Brechin City | Total | Total | 289 | 23 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 341 | 23 |
| Stirling Albion | 2019–20 | Scottish League Two | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| Stirling Albion | 2020–21 | Scottish League Two | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Stirling Albion | 2021–22 | Scottish League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Stirling Albion | Total | Total | 34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 1 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 323 | 24 | 16 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 387 | 24 |
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four in the First Division play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in the First Division play-offs
* 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and one in the First Division play-offs
* ↑ Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the Championship play-offs
* ↑ Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances and a goal in the Championship play-offs

## Personal life

Outside of football, McLean works in medical research at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.