Liam Buchanan (born 27 March 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer who last played as a striker for East of Scotland League club Musselburgh Athletic.
A product of the Hearts youth system, Buchanan made his breakthrough at Cowdenbeath. Having spent five years at the Fife club, he joined Scottish Football League First Division side Partick Thistle and subsequently Dunfermline Athletic. After spells in the lower divisions of Scottish football, Buchanan then joined Scottish League One side East Fife. After a successful time in Methil, he moved to Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic in July 2014 before signing with Livingston a year later. He then joined Raith Rovers in 2017 and two years later returned for a second spell with Alloa.
Career Born in Edinburgh, Buchanan made his breakthrough in football at Cowdenbeath, progressing through their youth system to play in the first team. Buchanan was prolific for the Central Park club, finishing top goalscorer in seasons 2005–06 and 2006–07.
Buchanan then signed for Partick Thistle at the start of the 2007–08 season. Buchanan was the Firhill club's top scorer that season, despite suffering a long-term injury early in 2008 and being out until October that same year, when he played in his return match against Airdrie United. Buchanan predominantly played in the number 9 shirt and was thought to be the next big prospect at the club. Buchanan notched 14 goals in that first season, from 27 starts and three substitute appearances.
In January 2011, Buchanan signed for Dunfermline Athletic. Buchanan helped the club win the 2010–11 Scottish First Division that gained promotion to the Scottish Premier League. The club finished bottom of the table in the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League season and were automatically relegated into the Scottish Football League First Division.
In August 2012, it was confirmed that Buchanan had rejected a new contract with Dunfermline and signed for Sligo Rovers. On 7 December 2012, Buchanan signed for Airdrie United. Buchanan left Airdrie on 10 January 2013 and then signed for Ayr United until the end of the 2012–13 season.
On 26 July 2013, Buchanan signed for East Fife. After one season there, he signed for Alloa. Buchanan then spent two seasons with Livingston, where the club were relegated and subsequently promoted the next season to the Scottish Championship. Buchanan, however, remained in Scottish League One, signing for recently relegated club Raith Rovers on 9 June 2017.
On 7 June 2019, Buchanan signed for Alloa Athletic for a second time.
On 22 June 2022, Buchanan signed for Berwick Rangers of the Lowland Football League. In his first season outside the SPFL, he was the Lowland League's top goalscorer with 22 goals.
After a strong start to the 2023-24 season, including a hat-trick against Edinburgh University, Buchanan earned a move back to the SPFL at the age of 38. Bonnyrigg Rose announced they had signed the forward on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer in the January window. Buchanan managed only one league goal in 10 outings and returned to Berwick in January, scoring twice in a 4-0 win against Broomhill on his return. In December 2025, he was released from his contract with Berwick Rangers.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoalsCowdenbeath2002–03Scottish Second Division1222000001422003–04Scottish Third Division25831101Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup03092004–052971110203382005–06311710001033172006–07Scottish Second Division36203221204323Total13354104416015359Partick Thistle2007–08Scottish First Division221143302031142008–091962100102272009–10261010222231142010–11173312041265Total8430105709311038Dunfermline Athletic2010–11Scottish First Division1750000001752011–12Scottish Premier League275202100316Total44102021004811Sligo Rovers2012League of Ireland Premier Division102000000102Airdrie United2012–13Scottish First Division6000000060Ayr United2012–13Scottish Second Division146000000146East Fife2013–14Scottish League One351110125One appearance and a goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances in the Scottish League One play-offs14214Alloa Athletic2014–15Scottish Championship331432209Five appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances and a goal in the Scottish Championship play-offs14717Livingston2015–16Scottish Championship351120315Three appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances and two goals in the Scottish Championship play-offs245142016–17Scottish League One36222031444527Total71334062969041Raith Rovers2017–18Scottish League One331010433Two appearances and one goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup; one appearance in the Scottish Championship play-offs141142018–19341231104One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup; three appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs04213Total67224153718327Alloa Athletic2019–20Scottish Championship2312043203142020–21Scottish Championship1931063—266Total42430106205710Career total539186371237174712660227
Honours Club Dunfermline Athletic Scottish First Division: 2010–11
Sligo Rovers League of Ireland Premier Division: 2012
Livingston Scottish League One: 2016–17
Individual Scottish Football League Young Player of the Month: December 2006 PFA Scotland Scottish Second Division Team of the Year: 2006–07 Scottish League One Player of the Month: October 2016 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year: 2016–17 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Player of the Year: 2016–17
References
External links