NEWPORT COUNTY AFC

Experienced defender Ryan Delaney joined the Exiles in the summer of 2023, arriving at the club following a spell at Morecambe in League One.

The Irish-born centre-back started his career in his hometown of Wexford, signing his first deal with the club in 2014 at 18. He played for Wexford over three seasons, earning his stripes in the League of Ireland First Division and then the Premier Division following the club’s promotion in 2015. 

His strong performances and leadership style caught the attention of Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough. Delaney would spend two years in Staffordshire, but his second year at the club was spent on loan back in Ireland at Cork City. 

This was the most successful spell of Delaney’s career so far, scoring six goals in 30 league appearances, with Cork lifting the League of Ireland Premier Division trophy at the end of the season. During his time at the club, he would also win the FAI Cup and the Munster Senior Cup. 

This earned him a move to League One Rochdale, where he would spend the following two seasons. He made 48 appearances for Dale before heading out on loan to AFC Wimbledon in the 2019/20 season. 

Greater Manchester would remain his home as his performances at Dale and Wimbledon earned him a big move to Bolton Wanderers. He was an integral part of the club’s League Two promotion in 2020/21, making 23 appearances and scoring twice in all competitions. He would then move to Morecambe and spend a brief period of time on loan at Scunthorpe United. 

His time up North came down to an end in the summer of 2023 when he made the move to South Wales and joined us at Newport County. After a strong pre-season, he was given the captain’s armband in his first Football League start for the Exiles, leading us out away at Accrington Stanley.