Lee Desmond - Sacramento Republic FC

Position	Defender
Age	31

Hometown: Donaghmede, Dublin, Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Previous Club: St. Patrick’s Athletic FC (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Joined Republic FC: December 23, 2021 (Free Agent)

Career Bio

Joined SRFC in 2022 and was a key player in the club’s run to the Open Cup Final. Across 4 seasons in Sacramento, the Co-Captain has played 9,655 minutes in 121 appearances, adding 3 assists and 1 goal.

He came to Sacramento on the heels of a second-place league finish and a FAI Cup Championship with St. Patrick’s Athletic FC of the League of Ireland Premier Division. The extra-time thriller ended with Desmond claiming his third domestic title and being selected as the Man of the Match for the 2021 final. He spent seven seasons with the Dublin club, including winning back-to-back top-flight league trophies in 2015 and 2016. Across all competitions – including four Europa League Qualifiers – Desmond has added two goals and nine assists, and finished in the top five for all-time club appearances (214) and top three in minutes played.

Prior to joining St. Patrick’s in 2015, Desmond played for Shelbourne FC during the club’s time in the League of Ireland First Division. With Shelbourne, he made 28 appearances including FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup tournament play, contributing two goals and one assist. As a teenager, Desmond joined the youth academy for English Premier League Side Newcastle United where he made eight appearances for the youth and reserve teams.

Desmond has represented Ireland for international play with four appearances at the U19 and U21 level, including international friendlies and UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying.