Republic of Ireland winger James McClean reveals he has been diagnosed with autism aged 33 after the Wigan Athletic star recognised 'small traits' from his daughter - who also has the condition

  • Ex-Stoke and West Brom star James McClean has been diagnosed with autism  
  • McClean underwent tests after noticing similar traits in his daughter Willow-Ivy  

Republic of Ireland footballer James McClean has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism at the age of 33 - having undergone tests after noticing similar traits in his daughter, who has the condition too. 

McClean - now playing for Wigan Athletic - said he had gone on 'a bit of a journey' before receiving a formal diagnosis. 

The winger, who has 98 caps for Ireland, has been helping his daughter Willow-Ivy understand her disorder and learning about it alongside her before deciding to get an assessment himself. 


Having been officially diagnosed with autism, McClean has now taken to Instagram to share the news during autism awareness week, taking the opportunity to discuss how he has helped Willow-Ivy navigate the condition - saying he decided to go public to help her. 

'As you all know, my daughter Willow-Ivy is autistic,' he wrote alongside a picture of himself posing with her.

James McClean has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism
He noticed similarities with his daughter, who also has the condition

James McClean has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism - after noticing similarities with his daughter, who also has the condition

In a statement on Instagram, the Republic of Ireland star said he was going public to help Willow-Ivy cope with the disorder

In a statement on Instagram, the Republic of Ireland star said he was going public to help Willow-Ivy cope with the disorder 

The 33-year-old said he had been on 'a bit of a journey' before receiving his formal diagnosis

The 33-year-old said he had been on 'a bit of a journey' before receiving his formal diagnosis

The 13 signs of autism in adults, according to the NHS 

Main signs of autism

  • Finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling
  • Getting very anxious about social situations
  • Finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own
  • Seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to
  • Finding it hard to say how you feel
  • Taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like 'break a leg'
  • Having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes

Other signs of autism

  • Not understanding social 'rules', such as not talking over people
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
  • Noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
  • Having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
  • Liking to plan things carefully before doing them
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'The last four years have been life-changing in the most amazing way but also very difficult at times as her daddy [has been] watching her overcome so many obstacles in her life and learning how to manage the challenges she faces on a daily basis.

'The more [wife] Erin and I learned about autism the more we began to recognise I was very similar to Willow in more ways than we thought.

'I see so many small traits in her that I see in myself. So I decided to go and get an ASD assessment.

'It’s been a bit of a journey and now having a diagnosis I feel it’s time to share it, for the week that’s in it.

'I have debated for a while going public in sharing this as I’ve done this for Willow-Ivy, to let her know that I understand and that being autistic wont and should never hold her back from reaching her goals and dreams. Daddy’s girl.'

McClean has been involved in controversies in the past having come under fire for turning his back while the national anthem played before a West Brom friendly in 2015. The player has stated this is due to his affinity with Derry and the role of the British Army in the Troubles and Bloody Sunday. 

He has also been criticised for refusing to wear a poppy during games played across Remembrance weekend. 

McClean first made a name for himself in the Premier League in 2011 as he joined Sunderalnd - playing 70 times for the Black Cats before joining Wigan in 2013, where he enjoyed 86 outings. 

He then joined West Bromwich Albion in 2015 in the most successful spell of his career as he featured 112 times across three seasons in the top flight, before linking up with Stoke City in the Championship. 

In 2021 he dropped down to League One by rejoining Wigan and helped them gain promotion to the second tier.

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