Ryan Ian Leonard (born 24 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for club Millwall.
A midfielder, he graduated through the Plymouth Argyle Academy to make his senior debut in March 2010, following which he spent time on loan at Weston-super-Mare of the League South and Tiverton Town of the Southern Football League. In July 2011, he moved to Southend United, and after establishing himself in the first team in the 2013–14 season, he won the club's Player of the Year Award in 2014. He helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2014–15.
Career
Plymouth Argyle Born in Plympton, England Leonard was a graduate from Ivybridge Community College, he signed for Plymouth Argyle in June 2001 as a schoolboy."2009–10 youth profiles" Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 27 March 2010. He progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence to be rewarded with a two-year apprenticeship at the end of the 2007–08."The college echo" Ivybridge Community College. Retrieved 27 March 2010."New recruits" Elite Advanced Development Centre. Retrieved 27 March 2010. Regarded as one for the future."Ryan Leonard" Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 27 March 2010. His elevation to training regularly with the club's first-team coincided with the return of former player Paul Mariner to Plymouth Argyle and, despite still being an apprentice, he made his first-team debut for the club on 27 March 2010 against Blackpool at Home Park."Argyle 0–2 Blackpool" Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 27 March 2010."Luckless" Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 27 March 2010 .
Loans to Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton Town Leonard joined Weston-super-Mare on loan in December 2010,"Lenny on loan" . Plymouth Argyle Football Club. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2010. where he made five appearances in the Conference South.
In January 2011, he joined Tiverton Town on loan for one month,"Leonard on loan" . Plymouth Argyle. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2011. which was then extended until the end of April."Lenny extends Tivvy stay" . Plymouth Argyle. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
Return to Plymouth Argyle Leonard was released by Plymouth Argyle at the end of the 2010–11 season.
Southend United
Leonard signed a one-year deal with Southend United on 27 July 2011, with the option of a further year after impressing on trial. Leonard scored three goals during Southend's pre-season, including one from inside his own half.
On 7 March 2014, Leonard signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract extension with Southend. At the end of the 2014–15 season he played for Southend in the League Two play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers. Southend won in a penalty shoot-out and were promoted to League One. Leonard scored his penalty in the shootout.
Leonard was voted Player of the Season at the end of the 2015–16 season, the second time he has claimed the award after also winning in 2013–14.
At the end of the 2016–17 season, Leonard became only the second player in Southend history, after Ron Pountney, to win the Player of the Season award three times. Leonard also scooped awards for Players' Player and Goal of the Season.
Sheffield United On 5 January 2018, Southend announced that terms had been agreed with Championship club Sheffield United for Leonard's transfer. Leonard agreed terms with the Blades on 6 January, and it was reported he would join them subject to completing a medical. Leonard signed for Sheffield United on 9 January 2018 and was unveiled as a player on the same day.
Millwall On 31 August 2018, Leonard signed for Millwall initially on loan, but the deal became permanent in January for a club record fee of £1.5 million.
Personal life His father, David, is a former player who played for Tiverton Town. Having worked as a coach at Plymouth Argyle's Centre of Excellence, he has managed numerous clubs in the South West of England, including Liskeard Athletic, Plymouth Parkway and Truro City."Leonard takes Elite's Plymouth centre" . The Herald. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPlymouth Argyle2009–10Championship100000—10Weston-super-Mare (loan)2010–11Conference South5000——50Tiverton Town (loan)2010–11Southern Football League18100——181Southend United2011–12League Two17120004Three appearances in Football League Trophy and one in League Two play-offs02312012–13League Two22220103Appearances in Football League Trophy12832013–14League Two43532102Appearances in League Two play-offs14982014–15League Two41310114One appearance in Football League Trophy and three in League Two play-offs14752015–16League One3721110204132016–17League One43310103Appearances in EFL Trophy04832017–18League One254101010284Total228201136119326427Sheffield United2017–18Championship1300000—1302018–19Championship301000—40Total1601000—170Millwall (loan)2018–19Championship1920000—192Millwall2018–19Championship1804000—2202019–20Championship1710010—1812020–21Championship2612021—3022021–22Championship1900020—2102022–23Championship1700010—1802023–24Championship3501010—3702024–25Championship3301020—3602025–26Championship23110222Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs0283Total188390113202106Career total4752621317421353436
Honours Southend United Football League Two play-offs: 2015
Individual Southend United Player of the Year: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17 Millwall Player of the Season: 2023–24
References
External links
Ryan Leonard profile SouthendUtd.com