| Intro | English professional footballer |
| Is |
Athlete Football player Association football player |
| From | South Africa |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 27 August 1993, Krugersdorp |
| Age: | 26 years |
Darren Holden (born 27 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender.
Career
Born in Krugersdorp, South Africa, Holden made his senior debut for English club Hartlepool United in April 2011 in a 1–1 draw, with other debutants Andy Rafferty and Josh Rowbotham, against Tranmere Rovers.
Holden went on to impress in pre-season for Pools, particularly when he came on as a late substitute in Ritchie Humphreys’ testimonial game against Premier League side Sunderland but only went on to make three league appearances in the 2011–12 season as Hartlepool finished 13th in League One.
After being a regular for the reserve and youth side, Holden was handed a professional deal with Hartlepool in April 2012.
Holden was rewarded with a new contract in December 2012 to keep him at Victoria Park. He went on to make 17 league appearances in the 2012–13 season which saw him challenging to keep the experienced left-back Evan Horwood out of the first-team.
Holden became a regular in the second half of the 2013–14 season after an injury to Neil Austin, which led to him starting in Pools’ final twenty games of the season. In May 2014, Holden signed a new contract with Hartlepool.
He signed for Scottish club Ross County in June 2015, making his debut on 25 August in a 2–0 Scottish League Cup victory over Ayr United. He scored his first senior goal in a 7–0 Scottish League Cup win over Falkirk on 22 September.
On 5 February 2016, Holden signed for National League side Gateshead. He made his debut on 13 February as a substitute in a 0–4 defeat to Dover Athletic. He made a further 6 appearances before being released at the end of the season.
Style of play
Holden is an attacking-minded left-back known for his long throws, fast pace, and having a strong left foot.
Career statistics
- As of 30 April 2016
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hartlepool United | 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| 2014–15 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Total | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 0 | |
| Ross County | 2015–16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Gateshead | 2015–16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Career total | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 70 | 1 | |