Cian Thomas Bolger (born 12 March 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Larne.
Club career Leicester City Son of Declan who played for Dublin county football team Bolger was born in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, and was Leicester City's academy Player of the Year in 2009.
Loans to Bristol Rovers He joined Bristol Rovers on a one-month loan on 17 January 2011, and he made his Football League debut when he came on as a 78th-minute substitute for Carl Regan in a 6–1 defeat to Walsall on 29 January 2011. Bolger was sent off for the first time in his senior career on 8 February 2011, after a second yellow card for a poor challenge on Rochdale player Chris O'Grady. On 11 July, Bolger returned to Bristol Rovers on a 6-month loan deal. On 24 September 2011, Bolger scored the first professional goal of his career. On 27 January 2012, his loan was extended until the end of the season.
On 31 August 2012, Bolger was loaned to Bristol Rovers for a third time, until January 2013. On 8 September 2012 he sustained a cruciate ligament injury in a 2–2 draw against Aldershot Town, which prevented him from playing for over 3 months. He made his comeback on Boxing Day, coincidentally in another 2–2 draw against Aldershot, playing the full 90 minutes.
Bolton Wanderers On 31 January 2013, Bolger signed for Bolton Wanderers. On 28 March, he scored the winner for Bolton Wanderers Reserves in a 3–2 win over Stoke City Reserves. He is a former captain of the Bolton Development squad but didn't make any appearances for the first team squad during his time at Bolton.
Colchester United (loan) In October 2013 Bolger signed a one-month loan deal with Colchester United and made 4 league appearances.
Southend United (loan) On 21 February 2014, Bolger joined League Two side Southend United on a 28-day loan, but his loan spell was cut short after just one appearance due to an ankle injury on 24 February 2014.
Southend United On 5 August 2014 Bolger signed a two-year permanent deal with Southend United.
On 14 April 2015, Bolger scored his first goal for Southend United in the 45th minute against Newport County with a towering header. Bolger scored Southend's final penalty in the shoot-out in the play-off final on 23 May 2015, Southend were promoted winning 7–6.
Fleetwood Town Bolger signed for Fleetwood Town on 22 May 2016, and went on to make over 100 appearances for the club. He scored his first goal for Fleetwood in an FA Cup tie against Southport on 15 November 2016.
Lincoln City Bolger signed for Lincoln City on 17 January 2019.
Northampton Town Bolger signed a one-year contract at Northampton Town on 21 August 2020 ahead of the 2020–21 campaign.
Larne After a single season at Northampton, Bolger signed for NIFL Premiership club Larne on 5 July 2021.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLeicester City2010–11Championship000000—002011–12Championship000000—00Total0000000000Bristol Rovers (loan)2010–11League One6000000060Bristol Rovers (loan)2011–12League Two382201000412Bristol Rovers (loan)2012–13League Two4000001050Bolton Wanderers2012–13Championship0000000000Colchester United (loan)2013–14League One4000000040Southend United (loan)2013–14League Two1000000010Southend United2014–15League Two2310000302612015–16League One220101010250Total451101040511Bury (loan)2015–16League One9000000090Fleetwood Town2016–17League One3356110304362017–18League One4135210214962018–19League One111202020171Total859133408011012Lincoln City2018–19League Two1710000001712019–20League One280102020330Total451102020501Northampton Town2020–21League One261002030311Career total2631417310017130718
Honours Southend United Football League Two play-offs: 2015
Lincoln City EFL League Two: 2018–19
Larne NIFL Premiership: 2022–23, 2023–24 County Antrim Shield: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 NIFL Charity Shield: 2024
Individual NIFL Premiership Team of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24 Fleetwood Town Player of the Year: 2016–17
References
External links
Republic of Ireland profile at Soccer Scene