James Gerard Dunne (born 19 October 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Queens Park Rangers and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Dunne played locally in Ireland before joining the youth set-up at Manchester United in 2007. After transferring to Burnley in 2016, he spent time on loan at Barrow (where he made his senior debut in August 2017) and Accrington Stanley (where he made his Football League debut in January 2018).

Club career Born in Dundalk, Dunne began his career with Rock Celtic before joining the Manchester United Academy in Belfast at the age of 10. He later joined St Kevin's Boys for two years, returning to Rock Celtic before signing for Manchester United in 2013.

Burnley In July 2016, Dunne signed a two-year contract (with a further year's option in the club's favour) with Burnley. In July 2017, he moved to National League side Barrow on a six-month loan. He made his senior debut on 5 August 2017.

In early January 2018, the club confirmed Dunne's loan would not be extended and he would return to parent club Burnley. Later that month he joined EFL League Two club Accrington Stanley on loan for the remainder of the season. He made his Football League debut on 6 January 2018.

On 21 August 2018, Dunne joined Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) on a six-month loan deal. His loan ended in January 2019. A few days later he moved on loan to Sunderland. In September 2019 he moved on loan to Fleetwood Town.

On 17 September 2020, Dunne made his senior debut for Burnley in the second round of the EFL Cup, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United which Burnley eventually won on penalties. He scored on his Premier League debut on 20 September 2020, in a 4–2 defeat away at Leicester City.

Queens Park Rangers

On 13 July 2021, Dunne joined Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, agreeing a three-year deal.

Ahead of the 2023–24 season, he dislocated his shoulder in a pre-season friendly in August. He was close to a return at the end of the month, but was not fit enough until the end of September. Following a poor start to the season, the club's fortunes improved under new manager Martí Cifuentes, who converted Dunne into a right-back. On 29 March 2024, Dunne scored a 92nd minute winner from twenty-five yards to secure Rangers a 2–1 victory over fellow relegation-threatened side Birmingham City, a strike later voted as the club's Goal of the Season. At the end of season awards, he was also voted Junior Hoops' Player of the Year and PFA Men's Community Champion of the Year.

In the 2024–25 season, he continued to impress in the right-back position, being voted as the club's Player of the Season, also winning the Players' Player of the Year and retaining the Junior Hoops' Player of the Year. In June 2025 Dunne signed a new contract with the club, and in July 2025 was named club captain ahead of the 2025–26 season.

International career In March 2018, Dunne received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 side for the first time, making his debut on 22 March 2018 in a 3–1 friendly win over Iceland, replacing Corey Whelan as a substitute late in the game.

On 6 November 2018, Dunne was named in the provisional senior Republic of Ireland squad for the first time for the friendly match against Northern Ireland on 15 November and the UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on 19 November 2018. He was omitted from the final squad, and was linked with a call-up to the Northern Ireland team, for whom he qualifies through the grandparent rule.

He was called-up again by the Republic of Ireland in March 2019 but was not capped. On 23 March 2025, he made his long-awaited senior debut in a 2–1 win against Bulgaria in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Nations League relegation playoff.

Career statistics Club

+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBurnley2017–18Premier League000000—002018–19Premier League00000000002019–20Premier League000000—002020–21Premier League312020—71Total3120200071Barrow (loan)2017–18National League21210—10232Accrington Stanley (loan)2017–18League Two200———200Heart of Midlothian (loan)2018–19Scottish Premiership122—20—142Sunderland (loan)2018–19League One121——20141Fleetwood Town (loan)2019–20League One91——20111Queens Park Rangers2021–22Championship3832030—4332022–23Championship4021010—4222023–24Championship2911000—3012024–25Championship4550030—4852025–26Championship3931000—4032026–27Championship710010—81Total1981550800021115Career total27422801305030122

International

+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland202520202620Total40

Honours Accrington Stanley EFL League Two: 2017–18

Sunderland EFL Trophy runner-up: 2018–19

Individual Queens Park Rangers Player of the Year: 2024–25 Queens Park Rangers Goal of the Season: 2023–24

References