Darren Robinson (footballer)

Darren Robert Russell Robinson (born 29 December 2004) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Derby County.

Robinson spent his youth career in his native Northern Ireland at Portadown, before joining Dungannon Swifts in 2019, where he made his first team debut in 2021. In May 2021, Robinson moved to England and signed with Derby County, making his debut for the first team in April 2022, Robinson signed his first professional contract in 2023, with an extended contact signed in May 2024.

Club career
Having joined the club from Portadown in 2019, Robinson signed his first professional contract with Dungannon Swifts in January 2021. During the 2020–21 season, he spent time training at English clubs Fleetwood Town, Stoke City and Derby County. He made his first-team debut for Dungannon Swifts on 29 May 2021 as a late substitute against Glenavon, and it was announced that Robinson had joined EFL Championship club Derby County on a three-year professional contract two days later. After Derby County went into administration in November 2021, it was reported that Dungammon Swifts were owed £36,000 for the transfer of Robinson.

On 15 January 2022, he was named on Derby's first-team bench for their 2–0 win over Sheffield United, having impressed for both the under-18 and under-23 teams. He made his debut for Derby on 23 April 2022 as a 82nd-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat to Bristol City.

During the 2022–23 season, Robinson was a regular in the under-21 team and made two first team appearances, both in the EFL Trophy. He signed his professional contract for the club, until June 2024 and was named club scholar of the year for a second year in a row in May 2023.

In the lead up the 2023–24 season, Robinson was promoted to the first team squad, taking a full part in all first team pre-season activities. Robinson featured in 10 League One matchday squads as an unused substitute during the season which ended in promotion back to the Championship for the first team, Robinson would play one first team match for Derby, in an EFL Trophy match against Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21s on 8 November 2023; playing 90 minutes as a central defender. Robinson when not part of first team squads played for the under-21s, where he took on the role of captain.

On 18 May 2024, it was announced the Robinson had signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Derby until June 2026.

International career
Robinson was called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team in March 2022. He made 3 appearances during the March 2022 international break.