Lee Desmond - Sacramento Republic FC

Position	Defender

Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 180 lbs
Born: January 22, 1995
Hometown: Donaghmede, Dublin, Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
College: n/a
Previous Club: St. Patrick’s Athletic FC (League of Ireland Premier Division)
Joined Republic FC: December 23, 2021 (Free Agent)

STATS

Career Bio

2023 USL Championship – Republic FC: Team Captain, 17 starts in 25 appearances, 1,560 minutes, 43 clearances, 5 blocks, 26 interceptions

The Irish defender made the jump across the pond to join Republic FC for the 2022 USL Championship season, making 20 starts in 21 appearances with 1,723 minutes. He added 67 clearances, 8 blocks, and 48 interceptions. In the club’s historic run to the U.S. Open Cup Final, he had 7 starts in 7 appearances and added an assist.

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.