How Kevin Long Wears the Number 5 and Still Manages to Make Strikers Question Their Life Choices
You probably know Kevin Long as Toronto FC’s steady presence in the back line, wearing the number 5 shirt with a quiet sort of authority. He stands tall at 6’2” and brings years of experience from England’s top divisions. Toronto gets the kind of defensive stability every MLS side craves. Kevin Long is Toronto FC’s starting center back, a veteran defender who anchors the team with strength, positioning, and leadership.
When you watch him play, you see more than just clearances and tackles.
You see a player shaped by over a decade in English football with Burnley, Birmingham City, and several loan spells before making the move to MLS.
His journey started in Cork, Ireland, where he came through Cork City’s youth system. From there, he bounced across leagues and continents before landing in Toronto.
He’s also an international defender with 17 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He’s faced top-level competition and knows what it takes to play at the highest level.
That blend of European experience, international duty, and a fresh MLS challenge makes Long’s role at Toronto FC worth following.
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Kevin Long’s Role at Toronto FC
You see Kevin Long as a steady veteran on Toronto FC’s back line.
His value pops out in his positional discipline, his knack for organizing the defense, and his experience in both the English Championship and with Ireland.
Squad Number and Position
Long wears No. 5 for Toronto FC, a number that usually signals leadership in central defense.
At 6’2”, he plays as a centre-back and uses his aerial strength to win duels and clear danger in the box.
Toronto picked him up from Birmingham City in early 2024, and he jumped right into the starting XI.
His role isn’t flashy, but you notice how he positions himself to cut off passing lanes and limit opposing strikers.
Unlike some defenders who venture into midfield, Long stays disciplined in his zone.
That stability lets fullbacks push higher without leaving gaps behind.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Squad Number | #5 |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Height | 6’2” |
| Club | Toronto FC (MLS) |
| College | Cork Institute of Technology |
Defensive Partnerships
You often watch Long paired with Sigurd Rosted, creating a tall and physical centre-back duo.
Their styles balance each other, with Long focusing on positional awareness while Rosted steps into challenges.
This balance gives Toronto FC a more reliable defensive core.
When one closes down a striker, the other provides cover.
That understanding is critical in MLS, where defensive shape can break down fast under counterattacks.
Partnerships stretch beyond the central pairing.
Long talks constantly with fullbacks and the goalkeeper to keep a compact unit.
His voice travels across the back line, organizing pressing triggers and set-piece marking.
When you check TFC’s defensive numbers, games with Long and Rosted starting together often show fewer shots allowed in the box.
That consistency has helped stabilize a team that struggled with defensive lapses in recent seasons.
Contribution to Clean Sheets
Long’s biggest impact shows up in Toronto’s ability to record clean sheets.
His presence improves set-piece defending, especially against taller forwards.
You’ll see his clearances and blocks break up scoring chances before they even get started.
Toronto’s coaching staff values his experience in big matches.
He reads the game well and steps into passing lanes to prevent through balls.
That anticipation means the goalkeeper doesn’t have to make as many saves.
In MLS, where defensive mistakes get punished, Long’s steady play has been vital.
Clean sheets build confidence and give Toronto FC a shot at grinding out points in tight games.
When you look at the data, his arrival lines up with a real improvement in defensive results.
Toronto’s back line gave up fewer goals per match, showing how he organizes the defense and keeps focus for 90 minutes.
Transfer to Toronto FC
Kevin Long joined Toronto FC after a long stint in England, bringing leadership and stability to the back.
His move from Birmingham City, contract structure, and clearance through the International Transfer Certificate all shaped the timing and details of his arrival.
Move from Birmingham City
You watched Long settle in at Birmingham City after leaving Burnley in early 2023.
Over two seasons, he played 40 matches in all competitions, scored twice, and helped keep nine clean sheets.
His consistency made him a reliable part of the squad, especially in the 2023-24 campaign when he played every league match before his transfer.
Long’s departure ended a short but steady run in Birmingham.
The club brought him in from Burnley after 14 years there, where he made 91 appearances and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League in 2014.
At Birmingham, he brought a veteran presence to a team that needed defensive stability.
Toronto FC saw him as a good fit for Major League Soccer’s physical style.
His path started in Cork, Ireland with Cork City, where he signed his first pro deal in 2008.
That background, along with experience in England’s top divisions, gave Toronto confidence he could settle in quickly.
You can see why the Reds wanted his steady track record when they confirmed his signing from Birmingham City.
Birmingham City Stats (2022-24):
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| League | 34 | 1 | 7 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Other Cups | 4 | 0 | 2 |
Contract Details and 2025 Option
Toronto FC signed Long to a deal through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025.
This structure gives the team flexibility; they can see how things go before committing to a second year.
At 33, Long still has the experience to contribute right away, but the option helps the club plan for the future.
The contract also required Toronto to use an international roster slot.
MLS rules limit how many international players each team can have, so every signing like this matters.
By giving Long a slot, Toronto showed it wanted proven European experience in defense.
The option year lets Toronto extend his stay without a new negotiation.
If Long stays consistent, the club can keep him for 2025 under the same deal.
If not, they can move on without any financial headaches.
That’s pretty standard in MLS, especially for players coming from Europe.
International Transfer Certificate Process
Before Long could play in MLS, Toronto FC had to get his International Transfer Certificate.
This document, issued under FIFA rules, confirms he’s eligible to move from the English Football League to Major League Soccer.
Without it, he wouldn’t be registered to play.
The process included medical checks and clearance from both Birmingham City and the English FA.
Once approved, the certificate went electronically to the Canadian Soccer Association, which then registered him with MLS.
For fans, it meant waiting for the paperwork before his debut.
This step is routine for international transfers but can sometimes delay a player’s first appearance.
In Long’s case, the process finished up smoothly, so he joined preseason training on time.
Toronto’s staff pushed to get the ITC cleared early, making sure he could settle in with his new teammates.
By completing the ITC process, Long officially became part of Toronto FC’s roster, eligible for league matches and other competitions.
The certificate confirmed his transition from the English Championship to MLS, wrapping up a move that had been brewing for weeks.
Performance in MLS
Kevin Long, who came up through Cork City before heading abroad, has brought stability and experience to Toronto FC.
You see his value most in his steady minutes, his ability to read the game, and the physical presence he brings to the back line.
2024 and 2025 Season Highlights
In 2024, Long settled into MLS right away after joining Toronto FC.
He played heavy minutes and quickly became the first-choice center back.
His positioning and aerial ability helped Toronto compete in matches where they faced plenty of pressure.
By 2025, his role grew even more important.
He started almost every match in the opening months, including full 90-minute shifts against Orlando City, FC Cincinnati, and D.C. United.
In those games, you saw his consistency in duels and his knack for organizing the defense.
At 34, he still showed durability, barely missing time due to injury.
Toronto leaned on him not just for defending but for leadership with a squad that had younger players learning the league.
His steady form gave Toronto a reliable anchor in the back.
Defensive Record and Impact
Toronto’s defensive record with Long in the lineup shows his influence.
The club didn’t lead MLS in clean sheets, but his presence helped limit dangerous chances and kept the back four stable.
You notice his strength in aerial clearances and how he steps into passing lanes.
What really stands out is how he cuts down mistakes in big moments.
He keeps his positioning tight, which lets fullbacks push up without leaving the team exposed.
His experience from the Premier League and Championship carried over, giving Toronto a defender who rarely loses his cool.
He adds value in set-piece situations, too.
Long often marks the opposing striker on corners and uses his size to clear danger.
That reliability makes him a key piece in matches where Toronto faces heavy attacks.
Key Matches and Statistics
Long’s early 2025 appearances show just how much Toronto relies on him.
He played the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw with D.C. United on February 23.
He did the same in a 4-2 loss to Orlando City on March 2, and then played 45 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at FC Cincinnati on March 9.
His minutes really underline how central he is to Toronto’s plans.
Here’s a quick look at his 2025 MLS season so far:
| Match Date | Opponent | Result | Minutes Played | Goals | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2025 | D.C. United | 2-2 | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2025 | Orlando City | 2-4 | 90 | 0 | 1 |
| Mar 9, 2025 | FC Cincinnati | 0-2 | 45 | 0 | 0 |
You can track his full stats on Toronto FC’s official site or on ESPN’s MLS stats page.
These numbers confirm he’s a consistent starter who brings defensive stability even when results are mixed.
Previous Club Career
You can see the arc of Kevin Long’s career in the way he’s persisted, dealt with setbacks, and steadily grown.
From his early days in Ireland with Cork City to long stretches at Burnley, and later a stabilizing role at Birmingham City, his path shows the grind of a defender who earned every opportunity.
Burnley FC Tenure
When you look at Long’s time at Burnley FC, it covers more than a decade, though he never really locked down a regular starting spot.
He joined Burnley in January 2010 after leaving Cork City, where he’d already shown promise as a strong central defender.
At Burnley, he mostly played a depth role.
He made just 69 league appearances across 13 years, which shows how tough it was to break into a Premier League back line.
Still, he had his moments.
His Premier League debut came against Newcastle United in January 2015, although he had to come off early with an injury.
He later returned and featured in several top-flight seasons, including 16 league matches in 2017–18.
Burnley League Record
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Championship | 14 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | Premier League | 1 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 16 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 8 | 0 |
His time at Turf Moor really shows you the reality of life as a squad player — valuable to the team, but rarely the first choice.
Loan Spells and Early Development
If you want to understand Kevin Long’s growth, you really have to look at the loan system. Burnley sent him out to several clubs so he could get the minutes he just wasn’t going to find with their first team.
He started out at Accrington Stanley, clocking over 30 matches across two spells. Then came stints with Rochdale, Portsmouth, Barnsley, and Milton Keynes Dons. These moves threw him into all sorts of footballing styles and forced him to sharpen his defensive instincts.
At Barnsley, his debut really stands out — he scored a late winner against Oldham Athletic in 2015. That moment? It showed he could step up when the pressure was on.
Those years tested his resilience too. He dealt with injuries, including a brutal cruciate ligament rupture in 2015. He fought his way back every time. Each comeback made him a little tougher. By the time he returned to Burnley, he understood the physical and mental grind of English football.
Achievements with Birmingham City
By January 2023, Long needed a change. So he signed with Birmingham City in the Championship, and finally grabbed a consistent starting spot.
He played 34 league matches in the 2023–24 season and anchored the back line with his aerial strength and steady presence. John Eustace started him almost every game, and he formed a solid partnership with Dion Sanderson.
When Wayne Rooney took over, Long’s minutes dropped. After Tony Mowbray arrived, he got back into the lineup. Even after a calf injury kept him out for weeks, he returned and finished the campaign with some steady performances.
Birmingham City 2023–24
- Appearances: 34
- Goals: 1
- Minutes played: Over 2,900
This stretch really highlights his adaptability. After years at Burnley, he jumped into a new environment and proved he could still compete before making the move to Toronto FC.
And honestly, you can’t forget his early days at Cork City. That’s where he came up as a youth player and started his professional career. His time in Ireland really set the stage for everything that followed.
International Career with Ireland
Kevin Long got his shot with the Republic of Ireland after years of steady club play in England. He didn’t play with much flair, but managers could always count on him for reliability and a strong defensive option when needed. He built his reputation as a dependable center back who could fill in during competitive fixtures or friendlies.
Caps and International Debut
You first saw Long called up in May 2017, when Martin O’Neill brought him to Ireland’s training camp at Fota Island. That same summer, he made his senior debut in a friendly against Mexico in New Jersey, coming on as a second-half sub.
From 2017 to 2020, he picked up 17 caps and scored one international goal. Most of his appearances came in friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, backing up established starters like Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark.
Here’s a quick look at his international record:
| Years Active | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–2020 | 17 | 1 |
He scored his first goal in 2018 during a Nations League match, showing off his aerial ability on set pieces. He never became a regular starter, but whenever injuries or suspensions hit, he stepped up to provide defensive cover.
Notable Performances for Ireland
One of his best games came in a 2018 UEFA Nations League clash with Denmark. He jumped into the back line and held his own against a tough attack, staying calm in one-on-one situations.
In qualifiers, he usually came off the bench to help close out matches. He won headers and organized the defense, making himself a valuable late-game option.
He also had a solid outing in a friendly against Uruguay in Dublin, limiting chances from Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez. Even in short stints, he showed the positional sense and discipline you want from a veteran defender.
Long’s international career didn’t make big headlines, but he gave Ireland a reliable squad member who always answered the call.
Leadership and Influence
Kevin Long brings a lot more than just defensive stability to Toronto FC. His years in English football and international experience with Ireland give him the perspective to guide younger players, fit into John Herdman’s vision, and help the club rebuild.
Experience and Mentorship
You can see the value in a player who’s spent over a decade in English football. Long spent 14 seasons at Burnley, then two years at Birmingham City, before heading to Toronto. He’s played in both the Premier League and the Championship, which are no joke.
Younger defenders definitely benefit from that. Long has faced elite forwards, adapted to new tactics, and survived the ups and downs of promotion and relegation. That kind of experience translates into real mentorship, whether he’s guiding positioning or teaching composure under pressure.
His time with the Republic of Ireland, where he earned 17 caps, adds another layer. Representing your country takes focus and consistency, so his voice carries weight in the locker room.
Career Appearances and Goals
| Club/Team | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley FC | 2010–2022 | 91 | 4 |
| Birmingham City | 2022–2024 | 40 | 2 |
| Republic of Ireland | 2017–2020 | 17 | 1 |
Relationship with John Herdman
The connection between a veteran defender and a demanding coach can really set the tone for team culture. John Herdman, who’s known for structure and leadership, picked Long as a player who could anchor Toronto’s back line.
Herdman’s public comments make it clear: he trusts Long’s hunger to compete and his ability to lead by example. Long isn’t just another signing—he’s someone expected to reinforce Herdman’s standards on and off the pitch.
This relationship works both ways. Long gives Herdman a reliable presence, and Herdman offers Long the chance to extend his career in a meaningful way. It’s a partnership built on accountability and shared goals.
Role in Squad Rebuilding
Toronto FC’s front office, with Jason Hernandez at the helm, keeps stressing the need to reset the roster. Signing Long lines up perfectly with that plan.
His contract runs through 2024, and there’s an option for 2025. That gives the club some flexibility and keeps things steady in defense.
You can see the balance here. Long isn’t some long-term gamble, but he gives younger players space to grow.
He’s really a bridge between what the squad is now and what it could be in the future.
Hernandez keeps pointing out Long’s character, not just his skills. That’s actually pretty huge in a locker room that’s had so much change lately.
During a rebuild, a player who shows professionalism, sets the tone in training, and calms things down at the back can be just as valuable as someone with raw talent.
Long doesn’t chase the spotlight. He focuses on consistency.
That steady presence lets a transitioning team stay competitive while it works toward something better.
