Lewis Neilson Explained

Lewis Neilson should not be confused with Lewis Nielson.

Lewis Neilson
Birth Date:15 May 2003
Birth Place:Dundee, Scotland
Height:1.91m (06.27feet)[1]
Position:Centre back, defensive midfielder
Currentclub:St Johnstone
(on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
Clubnumber:20
Youthyears1:2013–2020
Youthclubs1:Dundee United
Years1:2020–2022
Clubs1:Dundee United
Caps1:15
Goals1:0
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Falkirk (loan)
Caps2:8
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–
Clubs3:Heart of Midlothian
Caps3:10
Goals3:0
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Partick Thistle (loan)
Caps4:36
Goals4:1
Club-Update:13:34, 22 May 2024 (UTC)
Nationalyears1:2018–2019
Nationalteam1:Scotland U16
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2020
Nationalteam2:Scotland U17
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2022–
Nationalteam3:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps3:8
Nationalgoals3:0
Ntupdate:22 November 2023 (UTC)
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:St Johnstone (loan)
Caps5:0
Goals5:0

Lewis Neilson (born 15 May 2003) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays primarily as a centre back or defensive midfielder for club St Johnstone, on loan from side Heart of Midlothian.

Neilson has previously played for Dundee United, as well as on loan for Falkirk and Partick Thistle.

Club career

Dundee United

Neilson joined Dundee United at the age of 10 and signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2019, before extending the contract until 2022 the following March.[2] After graduating from the club's academy,[2] he made his professional debut in a 1–1 draw against St Johnstone on the opening day of the 2020–21 Scottish Premiership season.[3] Neilson was loaned to Falkirk in March 2021.[4]

Following his return from loan, Neilson sustained an ankle injury, for which he required surgery. He did not appear in the United first team again until December 2021 when he started against Hibernian.[5] Neilson departed United in June 2022 after turning down a new contract offer.[6]

Hearts

After leaving Dundee United, Neilson signed a three-year contract with Hearts.[7] [8] In his first season with Hearts, he made 16 first-team appearances. But he did not feature in the final months and spent time involved with the club's B team.[9]

Partick Thistle (loan)

On 3 August 2023, Neilson joined Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle on a season-long loan.[10]

Neilson scored the first goal of his professional career on 2 January 2024, scoring the winner for Thistle with a header from a corner, in a 3–2 home win over Queens Park.[11]

St Johnstone (loan)

On 30 July 2024, Neilson joined club St Johnstone on loan for the 2024–25 season.[12]

International career

Neilson has represented Scotland at under-16 and under-17 level.[13]

In September 2022, Neilson was called up to the Scotland under-21 for friendlies against Northern Ireland under-21.[14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dundee United2020–21Scottish Premiership90001000100
2021–22Scottish Premiership6000300090
Total150004000190
Dundee United U212021–221010
Falkirk (loan)2020–21Scottish League One80200000100
Heart of Midlothian2022–23Scottish Premiership100001050160
2023–24Scottish Premiership0000000000
Total100001050160
Partick Thistle (loan)2023–24Scottish Championship181100000191
Career total521305060650

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lewis Neilson . 5 December 2020 . dundeeunitedfc.co.uk . Dundee United F.C. . en.
  2. Web site: LEWIS NEILSON SIGNS A NEW CONTRACT. Dundee United F.C.. 10 March 2020. 26 August 2020.
  3. News: Dundee Utd 1-1 St Johnstone: Liam Craig earns a point for 10-man visitors. BBC Sport. August 1, 2020.
  4. News: Dundee United youngsters Kai Fotheringham and Lewis Neilson join Falkirk on loan until the end of the season . Calum . Woodger . 12 March 2021 . 15 March 2021.
  5. Web site: Lewis Neilson targets 'big year' in 2022 after making first Dundee United start in five months.
  6. Web site: Lewis Neilson to Leave Dundee United .
  7. Web site: Hearts sign Australia defender Kye Rowles & Lewis Neilson from Dundee Utd . BBC Sport . 9 June 2022 . 9 June 2022.
  8. Web site: Lewis Neilson seals Hearts transfer as Dundee United defender pens 3-year deal . 9 June 2022 .
  9. https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/lewis-neilsons-future-is-made-clear-as-the-hearts-defender-looks-to-further-his-career-4161675
  10. Web site: Lewis Neilson signs on loan for the season . 2023-08-04 . Partick Thistle FC . en.
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67821091
  12. Web site: Lewis Neilson signs for Saints . 2024-07-31 . St Johnstone Football Club . en.
  13. Web site: Lewis Neilson Scotland Scottish FA. scottishfa.co.uk. 26 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Scot Gemmill names squad for Northern Ireland double header .