Quick Facts
Biography
Daniel Joseph "Danny" Swanson (born 28 December 1986) is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for St Johnstone.
Swanson started his career at Scottish Third Division side Berwick Rangers before moving to Scottish Premier League club Dundee United in 2008. He moved to England in 2012 to play for Peterborough United. After two years with Peterborough he signed for Coventry City, but he then moved back to Scotland on loan at St Johnstone. Swanson was released by Coventry in September 2015 and then signed for Heart of Midlothian, where he spent five months before returning to St Johnstone.
Career
Early career
Born with a heart defect, Swanson underwent a number of operations as a youngster, including a heart bypass at the age of thirteen. After overcoming his health problems, Swanson played for Hutchison Vale and Leith Athletic before joining Berwick Rangers, making his debut at the start of the 2005–06 season. Playing the majority of Scottish Third Division matches that season, a knee injury restricted him to just three league appearances the following season when Berwick were promoted to the Scottish Second Division, although he started the 2007–08 season injury-free.
Dundee United
Swanson completed a move to the Scottish Premier League with Dundee United on 1 January 2008 after agreeing terms in October 2007, having previously turned down a move to Hamilton Academical. Making his debut the following day as a substitute in the 4–1 win over Hearts, Swanson scored his first goal for United in a 2–0 victory over Motherwell in March 2008, going on to feature in a number of matches that season. In 2008–09, Swanson was used mainly as a substitute, starting in only seven of his 30 league appearances. In the 2009–10 season, Swanson started United's opening three league matches, assisting three of the club's four goals in the process.
His good performances for United meant that Swanson was selected for the Scotland squad in October 2011. Soon afterwards, however, Swanson strained a medial ligament. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Swanson's contract expired and he opened talks with Championship side Peterborough United over a possible move to England.
Peterborough United
On 6 June 2012, Swanson signed a two-year contract with English Championship club Peterborough United after making over 100 appearances for Dundee United.
Coventry City
On 3 July 2014, Swanson signed a two-year contract with Coventry City after rejecting a new contract at Peterborough United.
Swanson signed on loan for St Johnstone for the latter part of the 2014–15 season on 3 February 2015. He returned to Coventry City for close season 2015, but had his contract terminated on 1 September 2015 by mutual consent.
Heart of Midlothian
Swanson signed for Heart of Midlothian on 9 September 2015, agreeing a contract to the end of the 2015–16 season.
St. Johnstone
After just 5 months with Hearts, Swanson signed for his former side St Johnstone in February 2016 on an 18-month deal.
In April 2017, Swanson brought St Johnstone in to disrepute after becoming involved in an on-pitch brawl with team-mate Richard Foster. Both players were suspended by the club and were subsequently fined four weeks' wages.
Hibernian
On 25 April 2017, it was confirmed that Swanson had signed a pre-contract agreement to sign for Hibernian, the team he supported growing up. He will join Hibs at the beginning of the 2017-18 season.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Berwick Rangers | 2005–06 | Scottish Third Division | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| 2006–07 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Scottish Second Division | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 4 | |
| Total | 43 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 54 | 5 | ||
| Dundee United | 2007–08 | Scottish Premier League | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 2008–09 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 31 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 5 | ||
| 2010–11 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | ||
| Total | 108 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 127 | 12 | ||
| Peterborough United | 2012–13 | Championship | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 2 |
| 2013–14 | League One | 35 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 49 | 3 | |
| Total | 62 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 79 | 5 | ||
| Coventry City | 2014–15 | League One | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| St Johnstone (loan) | 2014–15 | Scottish Premiership | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Heart of Midlothian | 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| St Johnstone | 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 2016–17 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 12 | ||
| Total | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 13 | ||
| Career total | 278 | 30 | 19 | 0 | 22 | 6 | 18 | 1 | 337 | 37 | ||
Honours
Club
- Scottish Cup: 2009–10
- Football League Trophy: 2013–14