# Liam Kitching

Liam James Kitching (born 25 September 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Coventry City. He started his career at Leeds United, though did not make a first-team appearance, and also had loan spells at Harrogate Town before joining Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 and Barnsley in 2021.

## Early life

Kitching was born in Harrogate and attended Rossett School. He is of Irish descent.

## Career
### Leeds United

Kitching began his career at Leeds United and signed a two-year contract with the club in July 2017. After featuring regularly for Leeds' under-23 side during the first half of the season, Kitching joined Harrogate Town on a one-month loan in January 2018. His first appearance for Harrogate came as a substitute in a 4–1 victory over Stockport County before making his first start for Harrogate on 10 February 2018 in a 3–1 victory over Leamington, in which he scored the first goal of his senior career. On 16 February 2018, his loan was extended until the end of the season. After making 9 league appearances for Harrogate, scoring three goals, Harrogate were promoted to the National League after defeating Brackley Town 3–0 in the play-off final. On 20 July 2018, Kitching signed a new contract with Leeds United before rejoining Harrogate on a six-month loan deal. In January 2019, his loan was extended until the end of the season, after scoring three goals in 25 appearances during the first half of the season. Across the 2018–19 season, Kitching appeared in 34 league games for Harrogate, scoring twice.

### Forest Green Rovers

Kitching signed with Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for Forest Green Rovers as a substitute in their 1–1 League Two draw away to Walsall, before making his first start on 13 August 2020 in a penalty shoot-out victory over Charlton Athletic following a 0–0 draw in the EFL Cup, in which Kitching conceded a missed penalty in normal time. He appeared in 29 of Forest Green Rovers' 36 league matches across the truncated 2019–20 season.

### Barnsley

On 5 January 2021, Kitching signed for Championship club Barnsley on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £600,000. He scored his first goal for the club on 13 September 2022 in a 1–1 draw against Port Vale.

### Coventry City

On 1 September 2023, Kitching transferred to Championship side Coventry City. On 14 February 2024, he scored his first goal for Coventry, a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Plymouth Argyle. On 1 April, he scored two own goals in a 2–1 home loss to Cardiff City.

## Style of play

Kitching can play as a centre-back or as a left-back.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 15 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Leeds United | 2017–18 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leeds United | 2018–19 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leeds United | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2017–18 | National League North | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2018–19 | National League | 34 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 39 | 4 |
| Forest Green Rovers | 2019–20 | League Two | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| Forest Green Rovers | 2020–21 | League Two | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Forest Green Rovers | Total | Total | 44 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
| Barnsley | 2020–21 | Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Barnsley | 2021–22 | Championship | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| Barnsley | 2022–23 | League One | 45 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 53 | 5 |
| Barnsley | 2023–24 | League One | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Barnsley | Total | Total | 82 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 93 | 6 |
| Coventry City | 2023–24 | Championship | 28 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| Coventry City | 2024–25 | Championship | 20 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Coventry City | Total | Total | 48 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 217 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 251 | 15 |
* 1 2 Appearances in FA Trophy
* 1 2 Appearances in the EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearance in the Championship Play-offs
* ↑ One appearance in the EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in the Championship Play-offs