Daniel Liam Sweeney (born 25 April 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club AFC Wimbledon.

Club career AFC Wimbledon In July 2012, Sweeney was one of five academy prospects to be invited to train with the AFC Wimbledon first team and play for the development squad after the club pulled out of the Suburban League.

It is often claimed that Sweeney made a single appearance for the first team in February 2013, although this has proved untrue with Peter Sweeney instead featuring against Wycombe Wanderers.

Kingstonian In March 2013, Sweeney joined tenants Kingstonian following his release from AFC Wimbledon. On 4 March, he made his debut in a 2–1 London Senior Cup victory over Hanwell Town. On 6 April, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 Isthmian Premier Division defeat to Whitehawk.

In October 2013, Sweeney was offered a trial with the Championship side Ipswich Town and spent a week training with the club. He made a single appearance for the Reserve team.

On 15 June 2014, Sweeney signed a one-year contract to remain at Kingsmeadow. Despite being offered a contract ahead of the 2015–16 season, Sweeney rejected the offer and played for the K's on non-contract terms.

On 6 October 2015, he made his final appearance from the bench in the Alan Turvey Trophy in a 2–2 draw with Hendon. Taking the K's second penalty, Sweeney hit the crossbar but saw his side win 3–1 on penalties.

Dulwich Hamlet On 9 October 2015, Sweeney joined Isthmian Premier Division side Dulwich Hamlet following a seven-day approach. On 10 October, he assisted and scored on his debut in a 4–1 victory at Farnborough. He also scored in the subsequent five fixtures, claiming the Man of the Match award on two occasions.

On 21 November, Sweeney recorded his second assist for the club in a 3–2 win at Bognor Regis Town. After his early goalscoring form, Sweeney attracted the attention of a number of Football League clubs. His final appearance came in a 1–0 defeat to Needham Market on 5 December.

Maidstone United On 12 December 2015, Sweeney completed a move to National League South side Maidstone United. On 19 December, he made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at Hayes & Yeading United. He scored his first goal for the club four games later, opening the scoring inside three minutes in a 2–0 win against Bath City.

On 27 February 2016, he received the first dismissal of his career with a second yellow card during a 2–1 defeat at Havant & Waterlooville.

After finishing third in the league with 77 points, Maidstone earned a place in the play-offs. Sweeney featured in both legs of the semifinal 3–0 aggregate victory over Truro City, and came off the bench in the 87th minute of the play-off final at Ebbsfleet United. With the game tied at 2–2 after 120 minutes, Sweeney converted his team's fifth and final penalty to seal promotion to the National League.

On 8 April, the club announced Sweeney had agreed to sign a new deal ahead of the 2016–17 season.

Making 15 consecutive league appearances at the start of the season, Sweeney scored his first National League goal in a 4–2 victory over Solihull Moors on 1 October. On 17 December, he made his final appearance for the club in a 2–1 defeat to North Ferriby United.

Barnet On 22 December 2016, it was announced Sweeney would join League Two club Barnet for an undisclosed fee. Joining up with the squad for training immediately, he officially joined on 1 January. He made his English Football League debut the following day as a substitute against Plymouth Argyle.Barnet 1 – 0 Plymouth Argyle Sweeney played only four times for the Bees between January and October and was loaned out to Hampton & Richmond Borough on 13 October 2017. Following his return from loan, Sweeney worked his way back into the team, and began playing in a centre-back role following the appointment of Graham Westley in January 2018. After Martin Allen took over two months later, Sweeney was made captain.News | Further update from Martin Allen He won the player of the season award for 2017–18, a feat he repeated the following season.News | 2017/18 Player of the Season AwardsNews | 18/19 Player of the Year Award Winners Sweeney left Barnet following the expiration of his contract in June 2020.Play off squad confirmed

Forest Green Rovers Sweeney signed for League Two club Forest Green Rovers on 1 July 2020 on a two-year deal.

Stevenage On 18 June 2022, Sweeney agreed to join Stevenage on a free transfer following a title-winning campaign with Forest Green Rovers. In the 2022–23 season, Sweeney made 55 appearances and scored 5 goals in all competitions, as the club won promotion from League Two. On 7 March 2024, Sweeney extended his contract with Stevenage. On 3 May, 2026, Sweeney scored a controversial 92nd minute winner for Stevenage to send them into the playoffs, they would end up losing the semi final 3-0 on aggregate to Stockport County. On 18 May 2026 Stevenage announced it would be releasing him.

AFC Wimbledon On 23 June 2026 Sweeney signed for League One club AFC Wimbledon on a two year deal.

International career In June 2016, Sweeney was called up to the England C squad after initially being placed on a contingency list. On 5 June, he made his only appearance for the national team in a 4–3 International Challenge Trophy defeat to Slovakia U21s. Sweeney came off the bench in the 70th minute to replace Elliott Whitehouse.

Personal life Sweeney's brother Ryan (born 1997) was also in the academy at AFC Wimbledon.A rise through the ranks

Career statistics

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAFC Wimbledon2012–13League Two0000000000Kingstonian2012–13 Isthmian Premier Division620000401022013–14 Isthmian Premier Division4251030415062014–15 Isthmian Premier Division4221040104822015–16 Isthmian Premier Division121202100162Total1021040919112412Dulwich Hamlet2015–16Isthmian Premier Division106000020126Maidstone United2015–16National League South2110000002112016–17National League232200020272Total443200020483Barnet2016–17 League Two40000000402017–18 League Two2100000002102018–19 National League4117000505312019–20 National League170200030220Total8319000801001Hampton & Richmond Borough (loan)2017–18National League South4010000050Forest Green Rovers2020–21League Two2101010502802021–22 League Two361001020391Total571102070671Stevenage2022–23League Two274403041385Career total3232520014132239028

Honours Forest Green Rovers EFL League Two: 2021–22

Stevenage EFL League Two runner-up: 2022–23

References

External links