Career Summary

Caleb Folan, born in Leeds, qualifies for Ireland through his grand-parents who are from the West of Ireland. He first came to notice with Chesterfield and moved on to Wigan Athletic and then Hull City. He had the distinction of scoring Hull's first goal in the Premier Division when they beat Fulham on the opening day of the 2008/'09 season after their promotion.

Injuries meant he could not respond to several calls from Ireland before he finally was fit to play for an Irish second eleven against Nottingham Forest at Dalymount Park on 09/10/'08 .

He scored the opening goal for Ireland in a 2-0 win and was immediately added to the senior squad for the World Cup qualifying tie against Cyprus on 15/10/'08. He started as partner to Kevin Doyle when Robbie Keane was off with an injury against Poland on 19/11/08.

He was selected in the Irish squad for the World Cup qualifying tie against Georgia in February, 2009, but was forced to withdraw as he had not recovered full fitness after injury.

Folan started in the World Cup tie against Bulgaria in Sofia in June 2009 in the absence of Kevin Doyle and with further appearances against Australia, Cyprus and South Africa he clearly has won the confidence of Giovanni Trapattoni.

Caleb moved on transfer from Hull to Middlesbrough at the start of the 2009/2010 season.