Robbie Weir

Robert James Weir (born 9 December 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Crusaders. He has played in the English Football League for Tranmere Rovers, Burton Albion and Leyton Orient and Chesterfield.

Club Career

Larne

Born in Belfast, Weir started his career with the Larne youth system. He started playing for the first team in the 2004–05 season as a 15-year-old and he scored his first goal in a 5–2 victory over Crusaders on 9 October 2004. He had unsuccessful trials with Fulham, Stoke City and Rangers, although Larne manager Jimmy McGeough criticised these, saying "I'm not sure it proves anything. He's a great prospect and one who'll learn his trade in senior football here". Weir agreed to sign for Championship club Sunderland in February 2005. He finished the season with two Irish Premier League goals and played in the 2005 Irish Cup Final, which Larne lost 5–1 to Portadown, and was named the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Young Player of the Year.

Sunderland

Weir played for Sunderland in their youth team and was part of the team that reached the Premier Academy League Final in May 2007, where they were beaten 4–1 by Leicester City in a penalty shoot-out. He joined Conference Premier club York City on 12 November 2010 on a one-month loan following a trial. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Wrexham on 14 November 2010 and after impressing manager Gary Mills the loan was extended until 10 January 2011 in December. He finished the loan with eight appearances.

Tranmere Rovers

Weir signed for League One club Tranmere Rovers on loan until the end of 2010–11 on 14 February 2011. He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat away to Peterborough United as a 75th-minute substitute on 19 February. At the end of the 2010–11, Weir was released by Sunderland.

In May 2011, he was offered a contract by Tranmere and subsequently agreed to sign for the club permanentl