{{Short description|Irish association footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{infobox football biography | name = Killian Phillips | fullname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|3|30|df=y}} | birth_place = San Diego, California, United States | height = 1.9m<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whoscored.com/players/435533/show/killian-phillips|title=Killian Phillips Football Statistics | WhoScored.com|website=www.whoscored.com}}</ref> | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = St Mirren | clubnumber = 88 | youthyears1 = 2007–2014 | youthclubs1 = Kilbarrack United | youthyears2 = 2014–2018 | youthclubs2 = Corduff | youthyears3 = 2018–2019 | youthclubs3 = St Kevin's Boys | youthyears4 = 2019–2020 | youthclubs4 = Kilbarrack United | youthyears5 = 2020–2021 | youthclubs5 = Drogheda United | years1 = 2021<!--Irish season (and Phillips's contract) finished in November 2021 which was his last appearance for team--> | clubs1 = Drogheda United | caps1 = 30 | goals1 = 2 | years2 = 2022–2025 | clubs2 = Crystal Palace | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2023 | clubs3 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | caps3 = 19 | goals3 = 3 | years4 = 2023–2024 | clubs4 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | caps4 = 24 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2024 | clubs5 = → Aberdeen (loan) | caps5 = 10 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2024–2025 | clubs6 = → St Mirren (loan) | caps6 = 35 | goals6 = 4 | years7 = 2025– | clubs7 = St Mirren | caps7 = 37 | goals7 = 4 | nationalyears1 = 2022 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U20 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2023–2024 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2025– | nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | club-update = 22:55, 25 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 23:10, 9 September 2025 (UTC) }}
'''Killian Phillips''' (born 30 March 2002) is an Irish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for St Mirren. Born in United States, he represents the Republic of Ireland national team.
==Early life== Phillips was born in San Diego to Irish parents on 30 March 2002 and moved to Kilbarrack, Dublin as a 5-year-old.<ref name=the42>{{Cite web |last=Sneyd |first=David |title=The start of a journey in football: 'I feel like I'm always chasing, and being chased' |url=https://www.the42.ie/killian-phillips-crystal-palace-5775558-May2022/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=The42 |date=29 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He began playing football aged 5 with Kilbarrack United, then moved to Corduff at under-13 level, spending 4 seasons there and playing alongside fellow future senior Republic of Ireland international Bosun Lawal<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0902/1531457-lawal-keeping-the-faith-and-eyeing-ireland-involvement/|title=Lawal keeping the faith and eyeing Ireland involvement|first=Ed|last=Leahy|date=2 September 2025|via=www.rte.ie}}</ref>, followed by a stint at St Kevin's Boys before returning to Kilbarrack at 16 after being rejected by Bohemians and Shelbourne at under-17 level, then eventually earning a move to the academy of League of Ireland club Drogheda United where he would play for their under-19 side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/im-starting-from-the-ground-up-again-mam-im-at-the-bottom-of-the-totem-pole-killian-phillips/41911851.html|title=‘I’m starting from the ground up again Mam, I’m at the bottom of the totem pole’ – Killian Phillips|date=15 August 2022|website=Irish Independent}}</ref><ref name=ind.ie>{{Cite web |title='He looked a box-to-box player with a lot of strength' – Kilbarrack youth Killian Phillips catches Patrick Vieira's eye |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/he-looked-a-box-to-box-player-with-a-lot-of-strength-kilbarrack-youth-killian-phillips-catches-patrick-vieiras-eye-41269451.html |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=independent |date=23 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='You have to find the balance between loving football and being ruthless'|url=https://www.the42.ie/league-of-ireland-players-5632225-Dec2021/|website=The 42|date=2021-12-19|access-date=2025-11-29|language=en|first=David|last=Sneyd}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Drogheda United=== Having been a non-playing substitute in some matches in 2020, Phillips made his debut for Drogheda United in a 1–0 loss at home to Shamrock Rovers on 20 April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratime.com/articles/27047/league-report-drogheda-united-0-1-shamrock-rovers/|title=League Report: Drogheda United 0 – 1 Shamrock Rovers|website=extratime.com}}</ref> The first senior goal of Phillips' career came on 8 May 2021, in a 7–0 win away to Waterford at the RSC as the home side fielded their under-19 squad due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the first team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/42827/2/|title=League Report: Waterford 0 - 7 Drogheda United|website=ExtraTime.com}}</ref> On 24 October 2021, he scored the only goal of the game as Drogheda beat Derry City at United Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1024/1255603-phillips-heads-drogheda-to-victory-over-derry/|title=Phillips heads Drogheda to victory over Derry|first=Barry|last=Landy|date=24 October 2021|via=www.rte.ie}}</ref> He made 31 appearances in all competitions during the 2021 season, scoring two goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/killian-phillips/663530/|title=Republic of Ireland - K. Phillips - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}}</ref>
===Crystal Palace=== At the end of the season, Phillips had a trial with Crystal Palace and made a permanent move to the Premier League club in January 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drogs ace Phillips signs Palace deal |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/drogs-ace-phillips-signs-palace-deal-41227986.html |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=independent |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> and spent the rest of the 2021–22 season with the club's under-23 team.<ref name=the42 /> In March 2022, he was selected for the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keep track of Palace's Academy internationals as Phillips earns U21s nod – News |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/keep-track-of-crystal-palaces-academy-international-call-ups/2022-03-23/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Crystal Palace F.C. |date=23 March 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> but was only involved as a non-playing substitute. He was part of the Crystal Palace first-team squad that travelled to Singapore and Australia before the 2022–23 season and started in the friendly games against Liverpool and Manchester United.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |title=Dubliner Killian Phillips starts for Crystal Palace in loss to Liverpool |url=https://www.the42.ie/liverpool-crystal-palace-killian-phillips-5818092-Jul2022/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=The42 |date=15 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Phillips made his competitive senior debut for Crystal Palace on 23 August 2022, starting in a 2–0 win away to Oxford United in the EFL Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team news: Three debuts for Palace v Oxford – News |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/team-news-oxford-united-v-crystal-palace-in-league-cup-rodney-johnstone-and-phillips-debuts/2022-08-23/ |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=Crystal Palace F.C. |date=June 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/08/23/england/league-cup/oxford-united-fc/crystal-palace-fc/3918237/|title=OXFORD UNITED VS CRYSTAL PALACE|website=Soccerway}}</ref>
====Loan to Shrewsbury Town==== On 29 December 2022, it was announced that Phillips would join Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the season, once the transfer window opened on 1 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Killian Phillips joins Salop on loan from Crystal Palace |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2022/december/killian-phillips-joins-salop-on-loan-from-crystal-palace/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Shrewsbury sign Palace midfielder Phillips on loan |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64119896 |access-date=2022-12-29}}</ref> Despite only featuring for half of the season, Phillips was awarded the Young Player of the Season for his efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gallery {{!}} Awards Night 2022/23 |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2023/april/gallery--awards-night-202223/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> His performances for the ''Shrews'' were described as "immense" by the club's manager Steve Cotterill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westbury |first=Ollie |date=2023-04-22 |title='Immense' Killian Phillips has been a real loan star for Shrewsbury |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2023/04/22/immense-killian-phillips-has-been-a-real-loan-star-for-shrewsbury/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |language=en}}</ref>
====Loan to Wycombe Wanderers==== On 11 August 2023, Phillips signed a new contract with Crystal Palace and on the same day also joined EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a season long loan deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/killian-phillips-signs-new-contract-joins-wycombe-wanderers/|title=Killian Phillips signs new contract and joins Wycombe on loan - News|date=11 August 2023|website=Crystal Palace F.C.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/killian-phillips-crystal-palace-wycombe-wanderers-loan-6141173-Aug2023/|title=Ireland U21 Phillips agrees new Crystal Palace deal before League One loan|first=Niall|last=Kelly|date=11 August 2023|website=The 42}}</ref> Phillips scored his first league goal for the club in a 2–1 loss against local rivals Reading on 25 November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67459982.amp|title=Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Reading|date=25 November 2023|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
====Loan to Aberdeen==== After it was mutually agreed to cut short his loan at Wycombe Wanderers, Phillips joined Scottish club Aberdeen on 28 January 2024 until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/crg933qgmdjo.amp|title=Aberdeen sign Killian Phillips on loan from Crystal Palace|date=28 January 2024|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 20 April 2024, he featured in the Scottish Cup Semi-final at Hampden Park which ended in heartbreak as he took his side's final penalty in the shootout which was saved by Joe Hart, sending Celtic through to the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aberdeenlive.news/sport/football/killian-phillips-opens-up-worst-9504513.amp|title=Killian Phillips opens up on 'worst feeling' at Aberdeen after cup heartbreak|first=P. A.|last=by Ronnie Esplin|date=23 August 2024|website=Aberdeen Live}}</ref>
====Loan to St Mirren==== On 21 August 2024, Phillips joined Scottish Premiership club St Mirren on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/5534-st-mirren-announce-signing-of-killian-phillips|title=St Mirren announce signing of Killian Phillips|website=www.stmirren.com|date=21 August 2024|accessdate=22 August 2024}}</ref> He scored 4 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions during his loan season with the club, before being voted the club's Player of the Year at the end of the season.<ref name="SMPOTY25">{{Cite web | title=St Mirren Player of the Year Awards 2024/25 | url=https://www.stmirren.com/commercial-news/5861-st-mirren-player-of-the-year-2024-25 | access-date=2025-08-25 | website=www.stmirren.com}}</ref>
===St Mirren=== On 22 May 2025 it was announced that Phillips had joined St Mirren on a permanent deal after the club activated their obligation to buy, following his loan spell, joining on a one year contract with the option of a further season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stmirren.com/all-news/5864-2024-25-squad-update|title=2024/25 Squad Update|website=www.stmirren.com}}</ref> On 14 December 2025, Phillips played the full match in the 2025 Scottish League Cup final, as his side defeated Celtic 3–1 at Hampden Park to win the first trophy of his career and the club's first in 12 years.<ref name="ScottishLC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2025/12/14/irish-player-tracker-killian-phillips-and-roland-idowu-lift-scottish-league-cup-for-st-mirren/|title=Irish player tracker: Killian Phillips and Roland Idowu lift Scottish League Cup for St Mirren|first=Conor|last=McEvoy|date=14 December 2025|website=The Irish Times}}</ref>
==International career== Phillips' first involvement at international level came in March 2022, when he captained a Republic of Ireland U20 team in a 1–0 friendly match defeat against the Republic of Ireland Amateur side at Whitehall Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/report-ireland-u20s-0-1-ireland-amateurs|title=REPORT | Ireland U20s 0-1 Ireland Amateurs | Football Association of Ireland|website=fai.ie}}</ref> His performance earned him a call up to the U21 side for their qualifying fixture away to Sweden U21 the following week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/squad-update-burns-phillips-and-mcentee-join-u21s-squad|title=SQUAD UPDATE | Burns, Phillips and McEntee join U21s squad | Football Association of Ireland|website=fai.ie}}</ref> He made his debut for the U21 team in a 2–1 friendly win over Iceland U21 at Turners Cross on 26 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55502/2023/999948672?tab=report|title=Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Iceland | 2023 – Under-21 Mens Friendlies | 999948672 | Football Association of Ireland|website=fai.ie}}</ref> On 21 November 2023, he scored his first goal for his country in a 2–2 draw at home to Italy U21.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-italy-u21-soccer-6228853-Nov2023/ | title=Heartbreak for Ireland as Italy claim dramatic late draw in Euro qualifier | date=21 November 2023 }}</ref>
On 14 May 2025, he received his first senior call up to the Republic of Ireland national team for their friendly fixtures against Senegal and Luxembourg in June.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/heimir-hallgrimsson-calls-up-four-new-players-for-forthcoming-ireland-friendlies/a1103889987.html|title=Heimir Hallgrimsson calls up four new players for forthcoming Ireland friendlies|date=14 May 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}</ref> Phillips made his senior international debut on 6 June 2025, coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw with Senegal at the Aviva Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/heimir-hallgrimsson-highlights-positive-part-of-irelands-game-following-senegal-draw/a1590742303.html|title=Heimir Hallgrimsson highlights positive part of Ireland’s game following Senegal draw|date=6 June 2025|website=www.independent.ie}}</ref> He made his first start for the side 4 days later in a 0–0 draw away to Luxembourg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/luxembourg-v-ireland-chances-at-a-premium-in-drab-end-of-season-encounter/a1907207554.html|title=Luxembourg v Ireland: Chances at a premium in drab end of season encounter|date=10 June 2025|website=Irish Independent}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played on 25 May 2026}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Drogheda United |2021<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Republic of Ireland – K. Phillips – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/killian-phillips/663530/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref> |League of Ireland Premier Division |30||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||2 |- |rowspan="4"|Crystal Palace |2022–23<ref name="auto"/> |Premier League |0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |2023–24<ref name="auto"/> |Premier League |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2024–25<ref name="auto"/> |Premier League |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0 |- |Shrewsbury Town (loan) |2022–23<ref name="auto"/> |League One |19||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||3 |- |Wycombe Wanderers (loan) |2023–24<ref name="auto"/> |League One |24||1||2||1||1||0||3{{efn|Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy|name=statsEFLT}}||0||30||2 |- |Aberdeen (loan) |2023–24<ref name="auto"/> |Scottish Premiership |10||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |St Mirren (loan) |2024–25<ref name="auto"/> |Scottish Premiership |35||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||37||4 |- |St Mirren |2025–26<ref name="auto"/> |Scottish Premiership |37||4||4||0||8||4||1{{efn|Appearance in the 2026 Scottish Premiership Playoffs}}||0||50||8 |- !colspan=3|Career total !155!!14!!13!!1!!10!!4!!4!!0!!182!!19 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 9 September 2025}}
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|Republic of Ireland |- |2025||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!3!!0 |}
==Honours== '''St Mirren''' *Scottish League Cup: 2025–26<ref name="ScottishLC"/>
'''Individual''' *St Mirren Player of the Year: 2024–25<ref name="SMPOTY25"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{Soccerbase|137997}} *[https://athleticupdates.com/killian-phillips-wiki-stats-net-worth/ Killian Phillips] at Athletic Updates
{{St Mirren F.C. squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, Killian}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city) Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:American men's soccer players Category:American people of Irish descent Category:St. Kevin's Boys F.C. players Category:Drogheda United F.C. players Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players Category:Aberdeen F.C. players Category:St Mirren F.C. players Category:League of Ireland players Category:English Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen