Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 9 August 2000 | ||
Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Queens Park | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
2012 | Shelbourne | ||
2013 | St Kevin's Boys | ||
2014–2016 | Belvedere | ||
2016–2019 | Hibernian | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2016–2019 | Hibernian | 0 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → Gala Fairydean Rovers (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2019–2020 | East Kilbride | 0 | (0) |
2020–2021 | Stranraer | 25 | (6) |
2021–2023 | Queen of the South | 70 | (25) |
2023– | Queen's Park | 19 | (10) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:31, 6 January 2024 (UTC) |
Ruari Paton (born 9 August 2000) is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Scottish Championship club Queen's Park.[1]
Paton attended Ross High School, Tranent in East Lothian, before signing a pro-youth contract with Hibernian in Edinburgh.[2]
Paton played for Belvedere in Dublin, before signing for Hibernian as a sixteen year-old. Paton was released by Hibernian without having played for the first-team after three seasons, although he played for Gala Fairydean Rovers during a loan spell. Paton then signed for East Kilbride, before agreeing a two-year contract with Stranraer.[3][4][5]
Paton then signed a two-year contract with Queen of the South in Dumfries, before the start of the 2021-22 season, for an undisclosed fee from the Stair Park club.[6] In July 2021, Paton scored his first goals for the Palmerston Park club in his first two games versus Annan Athletic and Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup.[7] Paton finished the 2022-23 in Scottish football season with 25 goals for the Doonhamers.[8] Paton finished as joint-top scorer in Scottish League One, alongside Calum Gallagher of Airdrieonians and was also named in the team of the season.[9]
In June 2023, Paton signed for Queen's Park on a three-year contract.[10]
On 25 July 2023, Paton scored four goals versus Elgin City in the Scottish League Cup, his first professional hat-trick and four goal haul in his career.[11]
Paton practised Irish dancing when he was a youngster in Dublin and sometimes celebrates a goal with an Irish jig.
Paton was also a breakdancer in his youth.[12]