Kevin Holt (born 25 January 1993) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-back and also a centre-back for Scottish Championship club Ayr United. Holt started his career with local side Queen of the South before playing for Dundee and Cypriot side Pafos, then returning to The Doonhamers. After another stint in Cyprus with Ermis Aradippou, Holt spent two seasons with Partick Thistle before signing with Dundee United.
Playing career Queen of the South (First spell) Holt joined Queen of the South in August 2010 and began playing for their Under-19 squad. In June 2011, Holt was awarded the Jade Moore Memorial Trophy for being Queens under-19s player of the season. Holt debuted for the first-team on 17 September 2011, appearing as a substitute in a 4–1 victory versus Greenock Morton in a Scottish First Division fixture replacing hat-trick scorer Kevin Smith.
Holt made his first senior start on 12 November 2011, versus Partick Thistle in a goalless home draw. Holt was sent off versus Dundee in December 2011 and this was his first ever dismissal. Holt's debut in the Scottish Cup was in a 1–0 away win versus the Maryhill Magyars on 7 January 2012 with the goal scored by Dan Carmichael. This was Queens first win in the competition since their 4–3 semi-final win versus Aberdeen in 2008 at Hampden Park. At the end of the 2011–12 season Queens were relegated to the Scottish Second Division but despite this Holt remained with the club, having signed a new contract in December 2011. Holt signed for Steven Pressley's Cypriot First Division team, Pafos FC He scored 6 goals in 137 competitive QoS first team games.
Dundee In May 2015, Holt signed a pre-contract with Scottish Premiership club Dundee and the move was completed during the summer of 2015. After three seasons with Dundee, Holt was released at the end of the 2017-18 season. Holt scored 8 goals in 113 competitive first-team matches for the Dee.
Pafos On 9 June 2018, after being released by Dundee, Holt signed for Cypriot club Pafos. Pafos ended their 22 matches in eighth position out of twelve clubs and entered the league's relegation section.
Queen of the South (Second spell) On 27 May 2019, Holt signed for Queen of the South for a second spell on a two-year contract. The club announced Holt's departure from the club in September 2020.
Ermis Aradippou On 11 September 2020, Holt returned to Cyprus to sign for Ermis Aradippou.
Partick Thistle Holt signed a two-year deal with Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle in May 2021. Holt scored his first goal for Thistle, heading in from a corner, in a 3-0 away win against Dunfermline.
Holt finished the 2022–23 season having scored nine goals that season for Thistle, the highest return of his career in an individual season.
During his second season with Thistle, Holt was part of the squad that made it to the Scottish Premiership promotion play off final, which Thistle eventually lost on penalties to Ross County, meaning the club remained in the Scottish Championship. Following this Holt left the club.
Dundee United In June 2023, Holt signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Dundee United.
Derry City On 22 February 2025, he signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City on a two-year-contract, for a fee understood to be £40,000 plus add-ons, with Dundee United stating that he had threatened to make himself unavailable for selection for the rest of his contract should they try to block the move from taking place.
Ayr United Holt returned to Scotland in July 2025, signing a two year deal with Scottish Championship club Ayr United for an undisclosed fee.
Personal life Kevin Holt is the son of the Dumfries born footballer Gordon Holt. Gordon played for Kello Rovers in the Scottish Junior ranks before turning professional when he played for Airdrieonians during the 1986-87 season and then for Stranraer during the 1987-88 season.
In 2011, Holt was studying for a career in banking.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsQueen of the South2011–12Scottish First Division1702000001902012–13Scottish Second Division2811030403612013–14Scottish Championship3013030514122014–15333302030413Total108590801211376Dundee2015–16Scottish Premiership3424110—3932016–173731040—4232017–182422060—322Total95771110—1138Pafos2018–19Cypriot First Division26020——280Queen of the South2019–20Scottish Championship272104010332Ermis Aradippou2020–21Cypriot First Division27210——282Partick Thistle2021–22Scottish Championship3443040414552022–23255216162399Total599511011038414Dundee United2023–24Scottish Championship3161042203882024–25Scottish Premiership2321052—294Total5482094206712Derry City2025LOI Premier Division20200——202Career total4163527242525451046
Honours Dundee United Scottish Championship: 2023–24
Queen of the South Scottish Second Division: 2012–13 Scottish Challenge Cup: 2012–13
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References