Liam James Kitching (born 25 September 1999) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL Championship club Sheffield United, on loan from club Coventry City, and the Republic of Ireland national team.
He started his career at Leeds United, though did not make a first-team appearance, and also had loan spells at Harrogate Town before joining Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 and Barnsley in 2021.
Early life Kitching was born in Harrogate and attended Rossett School. He is of Irish descent.
Club career Leeds United Kitching began his career at Leeds United and signed a two-year contract with the club in July 2017. After featuring regularly for Leeds' under-23 side during the first half of the season, Kitching joined Harrogate Town on a one-month loan in January 2018. His first appearance for Harrogate came as a substitute in a 4–1 victory over Stockport County before making his first start for Harrogate on 10 February 2018 in a 3–1 victory over Leamington, in which he scored the first goal of his senior career. On 16 February 2018, his loan was extended until the end of the season. After making 9 league appearances for Harrogate, scoring three goals, Harrogate were promoted to the National League after defeating Brackley Town 3–0 in the play-off final. On 20 July 2018, Kitching signed a new contract with Leeds United before rejoining Harrogate on a six-month loan deal. In January 2019, his loan was extended until the end of the season, after scoring three goals in 25 appearances during the first half of the season. Across the 2018–19 season, Kitching appeared in 34 league games for Harrogate, scoring twice.
Forest Green Rovers Kitching signed with Forest Green Rovers in July 2019 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut for Forest Green Rovers as a substitute in their 1–1 League Two draw away to Walsall, before making his first start on 13 August 2020 in a penalty shoot-out victory over Charlton Athletic following a 0–0 draw in the EFL Cup, in which Kitching conceded a missed penalty in normal time. He appeared in 29 of Forest Green Rovers' 36 league matches across the truncated 2019–20 season.
Barnsley On 5 January 2021, Kitching signed for Championship club Barnsley on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £600,000. He scored his first goal for the club on 13 September 2022 in a 1–1 draw against Port Vale.
Coventry City On 1 September 2023, Kitching transferred to Championship side Coventry City. On 14 February 2024, he scored his first goal for Coventry, a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Plymouth Argyle. On 1 April, he scored two own goals in a 2–1 home loss to Cardiff City.
He moved on loan to Sheffield United in September 2026.
International career On 17 September 2026, Kitching was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson for their four 2026–27 UEFA Nations League B fixtures over September and October. He made his Republic of Ireland debut in a 3–0 win over Israel in the UEFA Nations League on 27 September 2026.
Style of play Kitching can play as a centre-back or as a left-back.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLeeds United2017–18Championship00000000002018–19Championship0000000000Total0000000000Harrogate Town (loan)2017–18National League North9300—10103Harrogate Town (loan)2018–19National League34320—31394Forest Green Rovers2019–20League Two2903020203602020–21League Two150100010170Total440402030530Barnsley2020–21Championship10000010202021–22Championship3202000003402022–23League One4543010415352023–24League One4100000041Total825501051936Coventry City2023–24Championship2814000003212024–25Championship2702120203312025–26Championship 3821020004122026–27Premier League000010—10Total9337150201074Sheffield United (loan)2026–27Championship4000000040Career total265141818014230617
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland202620Total20
Honours Coventry City EFL Championship: 2025–26
References