History of Jonny Evans in Timeline

Jonny Evans is a Northern Irish professional footballer currently playing for Manchester United in the Premier League. His contract with the club expires on June 30, 2025, making him a free agent after that date. He is a defender known for his experience and composure.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1986: Major Tournament Since the 1986 FIFA World Cup

In May 2016, UEFA Euro 2016 was the first time Northern Ireland had ever been involved in the finals of the competition, and their first major tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

January 1988: Jonathan Grant Evans Born

In January 1988, Jonathan Grant Evans was born. He is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester United.

September 2006: First Northern Ireland Squad Call-up

Before making his senior debut for Manchester United, in September 2006, Jonny Evans was called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for the first time, and made his debut in a 3–2 victory over Spain.

December 2006: Agreed to Join Sunderland on Loan

In December 2006, Jonny Evans agreed to join Sunderland on loan in the January transfer window until the end of the 2006–07 season.

2006: Loan to Royal Antwerp

During the first half of the 2006, Jonny Evans spent time on loan at Manchester United's Belgian feeder club, Royal Antwerp, alongside fellow youngsters.

2006: Manchester United Summer Tour

In 2006, Jonny Evans featured in two of Manchester United's three games during their summer tour of South Africa, domestic friendlies against Celtic and Preston North End, and in the Amsterdam Tournament against Ajax.

September 2007: Manchester United Debut

On 26 September 2007, Jonny Evans made his Manchester United debut against Coventry City in the League Cup, which ended in a 2–0 defeat.

November 2007: UEFA Champions League Appearance

On 7 November 2007, Jonny Evans appeared as a late substitute in a UEFA Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv, securing Manchester United's qualification to the knockout stage.

December 2007: First Champions League Start

On 12 December 2007, Jonny Evans made his first Champions League start against Roma.

December 2007: Arrest in Connection with Alleged Incident

On December 19, 2007, Jonny Evans was arrested in connection with an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held.

2007: Manchester United First-Team Debut

In 2007, Jonny Evans made his first-team debut for Manchester United after progressing through the club's academy and loan spells at Royal Antwerp and Sunderland.

January 2008: Rejoined Sunderland on Loan

In January 2008, Jonny Evans rejoined Sunderland for a second loan spell and played in a 3-0 loss to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

March 2008: No Prosecution

On March 8, 2008, it was reported that Jonny Evans would not be prosecuted for any offense related to the alleged incident from December 2007.

September 2008: League Debut for United

On 21 September 2008, Jonny Evans made his league debut for Manchester United in a 1–1 draw with Chelsea, filling in for the suspended Nemanja Vidić.

December 2008: FIFA Club World Cup Appearances

In December 2008, Jonny Evans made two substitute appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup, including one in the final.

March 2009: First International Goal

On 28 March 2009, Jonny Evans scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win over Poland in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

2010: Regular Fixture in the United Team

At the beginning of the 2010–11 football season, Jonny Evans became a regular fixture in the United team, partnering Vidić in the centre of defence due to Rio Ferdinand's injury.

2010: FIFA World Cup Qualification

In 2010, Jonny Evans scored his first international goal in a 3–2 win over Poland in FIFA World Cup qualification.

March 2011: Injury to Stuart Holden

On 19 March 2011, Jonny Evans injured Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden with a tackle, leading to a lengthy sideline for Holden.

2011: Number 6 Shirt

Before the start of the 2011–12 season, Jonny Evans was handed the number 6 shirt after Wes Brown was transferred to Sunderland.

March 2012: First Goal for United

On 18 March 2012, Jonny Evans scored his first goal for United, opening the scoring in a 5–0 league win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

October 2012: Second Goal for Manchester United

On 7 October 2012, Jonny Evans scored his second goal for Manchester United in a 3–0 win away at Newcastle United, thumping home a header from a Robin van Persie corner.

November 2012: Third Goal of the season

On 24 November 2012, Jonny Evans netted his third goal of the season, heading in the equaliser from a corner to begin a 3–1 comeback victory against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford.

December 2012: New Contract with United

On 21 December 2012, Jonny Evans signed a new contract with United which would keep him at the club until June 2016. He also scored his third league goal of the season on Boxing Day.

June 2013: Marriage to Helen McConnell

On June 1, 2013, Jonny Evans married Helen McConnell, an MUTV reporter, at Clough Presbyterian Church.

March 2015: Spitting incident with Papiss Cissé

On 4 March 2015, Newcastle striker Papiss Cissé spat at Jonny Evans after Evans spat in Cissé's direction following an altercation. Evans was later banned for six games on 7 March.

August 2015: Signs for West Bromwich Albion

On 29 August 2015, Jonny Evans signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.

September 2015: Debut for West Bromwich Albion

On 12 September 2015, Jonny Evans made his debut for West Bromwich Albion in a 0–0 draw against Southampton.

2015: Transfer to West Bromwich Albion

In 2015, Jonny Evans left Manchester United, where he had fallen out of favour, and signed for West Bromwich Albion.

January 2016: First West Brom Goal

On 2 January 2016, Jonny Evans scored his first West Brom goal in a 2–1 victory over Stoke City.

May 2016: Player of the Season Award

On 15 May 2016, Jonny Evans received the Players' Player of the Season award for his first season at West Bromwich Albion.

May 2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Squad Inclusion

On 28 May 2016, Jonny Evans was included in Northern Ireland's final 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, the first time Northern Ireland had been involved in the finals of the competition.

June 2016: End of contract with United

In June 2016, Jonny Evans' contract with Manchester United ended.

December 2016: Goal against Watford

On 3 December 2016, Jonny Evans scored in a 3–1 win over Watford.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016

In 2016, Jonny Evans was an ever-present player for the Northern Ireland national team during their run to the round of 16 at UEFA Euro 2016.

July 2017: Confirmed as Permanent Captain

In July 2017, Jonny Evans was confirmed as the permanent captain of West Bromwich Albion following Darren Fletcher's departure.

September 2017: First Goal of the Season

On 30 September 2017, Jonny Evans scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against Watford.

September 2017: Second International Goal

On September 4, 2017, Jonny Evans scored his second international goal, a header, eight and a half years after his first, contributing to a 2–0 victory against the Czech Republic in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.

January 2018: Goal against Brighton

On 13 January 2018, Jonny Evans scored against Brighton, bringing his side's first league win in five months and 20 games.

June 2018: Signs for Leicester City

In June 2018, Leicester City triggered the £3.5 million relegation release clause in Jonny Evans' West Brom contract, and he signed a three-year contract with the Foxes.

August 2018: Leicester City Debut

On 18 August 2018, Jonny Evans made his Leicester debut in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2018: FIFA World Cup Qualification Controversy

In 2018, during the FIFA World Cup qualification playoff between Northern Ireland and Switzerland, a controversial penalty decision against Corry Evans led to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg. Despite a strong effort, including a near-winner by Jonny Evans in the second leg, Northern Ireland was ultimately eliminated from qualification.

February 2019: First Goal for Leicester City

On 23 February 2019, Jonny Evans scored his first goal for Leicester City in a 4–1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

December 2019: Family Life

As of December 2019, Jonny Evans and his wife Helen McConnell have three children.

July 2020: 400th Appearance in English Football

On 12 July 2020, Jonny Evans made his 400th appearance in English football and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League.

2020: Goal Against Belarus

In 2020, Jonny Evans scored his third goal at the senior international level against Belarus in Northern Ireland's second game of the Euro 2020 qualification phase.

2021: FA Cup Win with Leicester City

In 2021, Jonny Evans won the FA Cup with Leicester City.

September 2022: 100th Appearance for Northern Ireland

On September 27, 2022, Jonny Evans became the fourth player to make 100 appearances for Northern Ireland during the Nations League game against Greece.

2022: Signs Short-Term Deal with Manchester United

After training with Manchester United following his release by Leicester, in 2022 it was announced that Jonny Evans had signed a short-term deal with the club.

2022: Appointed Captain of Leicester City

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Jonny Evans was appointed captain of Leicester City following the departure of previous captain Kasper Schmeichel.

2023: Appointed as MBE

In 2023, Jonny Evans was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Birthday Honours for his services to association football in Northern Ireland.

2023: Returns to Manchester United

In 2023, following Leicester City's relegation, Jonny Evans returned to Manchester United.

July 2024: New Contract with Manchester United

On 12 July 2024, Jonny Evans signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United.

August 2024: Retirement from International Football

On August 28, 2024, after earning 107 caps, Jonny Evans officially retired from international football.

December 2024: First Goal Since Return to Manchester United

On 19 December 2024, Jonny Evans scored his first goal since his return to Manchester United, in a 4–3 defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

2024: Retirement from International Football

In 2024, Jonny Evans retired from international football, having played over 100 matches for the Northern Ireland national team and served as captain.

2024: FA Cup win with Manchester United

In 2024, Jonny Evans won another FA Cup with Manchester United.

May 2025: Departure Announcement

In late May 2025, it was announced that Jonny Evans would leave Manchester United following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 season.