Donald Alistair Love (born 2 December 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Accrington Stanley.
Love began his professional career with Manchester United, but made just two senior appearances, and after a loan spell with Wigan Athletic in 2015, he was sold to Sunderland at the end of the 2015–16 season. Three years into a four-year contract, he was released by the club and joined Shrewsbury Town.
Born in England, Love represents Scotland at international level, having played for the under-17, under-19 and under-21 national teams.
Club career Manchester United and Wigan Athletic (loan) Love was born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. He played junior football for Northwich Town and was personally scouted by Alex Ferguson. After rising through the ranks of the Manchester United academy, he first signed a professional contract with Manchester United in 2013.
On 2 October 2015, he was loaned to Wigan Athletic for two months. Love made his professional debut the following day, appearing as a 70th-minute substitute for Will Grigg in a goalless League One draw with Walsall at the DW Stadium. Love totalled eight appearances for the Latics.
After returning from his loan spell, Love made his Manchester United debut in a 2–1 defeat against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 13 February 2016, coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Matteo Darmian. Five days later, he made his first start in an injury-stricken United team, a 2–1 loss away to Midtjylland in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32, and was booked for a challenge on Martin Pušić that caused the Austrian to be substituted.
Sunderland On 11 August 2016, Love joined Premier League club Sunderland on a four-year deal. He joined with his Manchester United teammate Paddy McNair, for a combined fee of £5.5 million. He made his debut two days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–1 loss at Manchester City, and scored his first goal for Sunderland in an EFL Cup tie against Carlisle United on 22 August 2017.
In August 2018, Love sustained an injury to his ankle which, after attempting to continue playing for another three matches, kept him out of first-team action for the remainder of the 2018–19 season. After three years, a year before the end of his contract, Love was released by Sunderland in July 2019.
Shrewsbury Town Following his release from Sunderland, on 12 July 2019, Love signed for fellow League One side Shrewsbury Town on a two-year deal. He made his debut on 3 August, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 home win over Portsmouth. On 13 November, after coming on in the 67th minute for Louis Thompson in a 3–1 win over Macclesfield Town in the EFL Trophy group stage, he was sent off.
On 26 January 2020, in the fourth round of the FA Cup at home to Liverpool, Love drove Neco Williams' cross into his own net in the first minute of the second half to give Liverpool a 2–0 lead, though Shrewsbury drew the match 2–2 to earn a replay. On 12 May 2021 it was announced that he would leave Shrewsbury at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.
Salford City On 31 August 2021, he signed a one-year contract with League Two side Salford City, with manager Gary Bowyer signing him to provide competition in various positions.
Morecambe On 17 June 2022, Love agreed to join League One club Morecambe on a two-year deal upon the expiration of his contract with Salford City.
Accrington Stanley On 23 July 2024, Love agreed to join League Two club Accrington Stanley on a two-year deal.
International career Love was born in Rochdale, England but qualifies for the Scotland national team through his Stranraer-born grandmother. He has represented Scotland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClub!SeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United2015–16Premier League1000001020Wigan Athletic (loan)2015–16League One7010000080Sunderland2016–17Premier League1202020—1602017–18Championship1101021—1412018–19League One4000000040Total270304100341Sunderland U21s/U23s2016–17 EFL Trophy———2Appearances in the EFL Trophy1212017–18 EFL Trophy———3131Total———5252Shrewsbury Town2019–20League One2807000303802020–21League One140001030180Total420701060560Salford City2021–22League Two250200020290Total250200000292Morecambe2022–23League One3620020304122023-24League Two160101010190Total522103040602Accrington Stanley2024-25League Two7100001081Career total1613140811922028
References
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