Jacob Patrick John Devaney (/dɛˈveɪniː/, deh-VAY-nee; born 11 June 2007) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Hibernian, on loan from Premier League club Manchester United, and the Republic of Ireland under-21 team.
Club career
Manchester United
Devaney joined the Manchester United Academy after being scouted playing locally in Yorkshire and joined their centre of excellence from the age of six years-old. He made his Manchester United U-18 debut at the …
age of 15 years-old.
Despite a stress fracture that ruled him out of action for over a year, he signed scholarship terms with Manchester United. He had his first experience of training with the Manchester United first team during the 2023-24 season. In May 2025, he was named Manchester United Youth Scholar of the Year. He trained with the first-team squad again under Ruben Amorim in the summer of 2025 pre-season. In the 2025-26 season, he captained the Manchester United U21 side at the age of 18 years-old. In November 2025, he scored a solo goal against Notts County in the EFL Trophy, after running 70 yards.
St Mirren loan
On 2 February 2026, Devaney joined Scottish Premiership side St Mirren on loan until the end of the season. He made 18 appearances for St Mirren during the 2025–26 season, scoring one goal.
Hibernian loan
After featuring for Manchester United's first-team during pre-season, on 23 August 2026 he signed for Hibernian on a season-long loan deal with the option of making the transfer permanent.
International career
After declaring for Ireland in 2024, was called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 squad in September 2024. He made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut in June 2025 against Croatia U21.
Style of play
Devaney has been described as a physical and press resistant defensive midfielder. He has also shown the ability to play in central defence at youth level.
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | St | Min | G | A | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | Hibernian |
Scottish Premier League | 5 | 4 | 373 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025-2026 | Republic of Ireland U21 |
UEFA European Under-21 Championship | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 4 | 373 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
