Oh, how the stars have aligned for our man Daniel Finlayson! Born in the wilds of Scotland on the 19th of January, 2001, he's made it all the way to the ripe old age of 25. Quite the achievement, I must say. Primarily a right back, this strapping chap excitedly parades up and down the line for Livingston. At a towering height of 6ft 3in (1.91m) and tipping the scales at 13st 3lb (84kg), he's an imposing figure. And for those of you who like to keep track of such trivial details, he sports the number 19 jersey.
It all began in July 2017, our Danny boy, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, became a trainee where, oh that's right, you know them, the Rangers in the Premiership. Spoiler alert, though, that's not where it ends.
In February 2020, the next chapter in the twisting and turning tale of Finlayson's career began. He exchanged the lush Scottish turf of Rangers for the sun-baked fields of Orange County SC on a lovely paid vacation, I mean, loan. Fast forward to October of the same year, and he was back on Scottish soil, this time shuffling around for St Mirren on yet another loan.
After dipping his toe in the water at St Mirren and apparently liking how it felt, Finlayson made the move official in July 2021, exchanging Rangers for St Mirren's changing room. The uncontainable dynamo notched up a staggering three first-team appearances in his debut season, a monumental feat that absolutely no one saw coming.
By September 2021, the wanderlust had once again taken hold of the ambitious Finlayson. He found himself heading to Kelty Hearts in the League One. But all good things must come to an end, and by July 2022, St Mirren bid him adieu again. This time sending him hurtling towards Linfield in N. Ireland on another of his globetrotting loans, where he netted one goal in 34 appearances, and then three goals in 33 appearances the following year. And get this, they were so impressed, they snapped him up, albeit for a fee that's as elusive as a stake in the Crown Jewels.
Fast-forward to July 2024, when our nomadic football mercenary surfaced again, this time proudly tying his laces for Livingston in the Premiership. There was no stopping him now, as he made a jaw-dropping 34 first team appearances in one season, and already bagged 25 in the current run. He also flashed his skills in the League Cup, the Scottish Cup, and the Premiership Play-offs, all for Livingston. A journeyman, some might say, but I prefer to think of him as an explorer. A modern-day Livingstone, if you will.
