Field Insider
17.3
±0%
Ratingi
12.6
±0%
Seasoni
7.6
Valuei

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 18 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameThomas Cairney
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalityScotland
Age35
Date of birth20 Jan 1991
BirthplaceNottingham
Height185 cm
Shirt number#10
ClubFulham
More about T. Cairney →
Defensive midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
1
Appearances
0
Goals
0
Assists
12
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Fulham.

Scout report

Experienced headDefensive midfielder

T. Cairney is a 35-year-old defensive midfielder at Fulham, rated 17.4 overall by Field Insider's model. A seasoned veteran, he has been a fringe squad member this season (23.8% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.33 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Cairney.

On the season, Cairney graded 13 for current form (age-blind), on 2 goals, 0 assists and 1.327 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 13 → 13). Over the 7 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2023/24.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 17. At 35 Cairney is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 7.6 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Past his 2023/24 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.

Peak: 2023/24Trending downRemarkably consistentStepped up 2022/23
17.4
Ratingi
below regular-starter level
12.6
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
23.8%
Minutes
limited game time
1.33
Def. actions / 90
light defensive volume

Output in context · Fulham finished 11th of 20 · a mid-table side

24
Apps
1.33
Def. / 90
7
Tackles
4
Interceptions
2
Clean sheets

1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 2 clean sheets across 24 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 2 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.22 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.
  • Pedigree. Performing in a top-tier setting (team strength 94.7/100).

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 23.8% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
  • Age curve. At 35, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 17.4 overall — below regular-starter level. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.6× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among defensive midfielders in the Premier League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals2—

Passing

Assists0—

Defending

Tackles7—
Interceptions4—
Blocks1—

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.