Liam Shephard
Liam Shephard (born 22 November 1994) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a right-back for EFL League Two club Salford City. Early lifeShephard grew up in Pentre, Rhondda Cynon Taf. He is son of former footballer Garry Shephard.[3] Club careerShephard joined Swansea City from Cardiff City in the summer of 2011, and progressed through Swansea City's Academy.[4] Shephard signed his first professional deal with Swansea at the start of the 2013–14 season.[5] Shephard broke into the first-team squad in the first half of the 2014–15 season, and was included on the bench for four Premier League matches and two cup games.[6] Shephard was rewarded for his progress with a new 2+1⁄2-year contract until June 2017.[7] On 17 January 2015, Shephard joined League One team Yeovil Town on a youth loan deal and made his professional debut three days later against Preston North End.[8][9] Yeovil later extended the loan until the end of the season.[10] Shephard went on to make 20 appearances for the Glovers and was awarded Young Player of the Year, as Yeovil were relegated to League Two.[11] Shephard made his first team debut for Swansea City in the FA Cup against Oxford United, on 10 January 2016, in a 3–2 third round defeat.[12] On 24 March 2016, Shephard returned to Yeovil Town on a month loan deal.[13] Initially brought in as cover for fellow Swansea loanee Connor Roberts, Shephard started six matches all in a defensive midfield role as he helped Yeovil to avoid relegation.[14] On 1 July 2016, Shephard joined Yeovil Town for a third time on a six-month loan deal.[15] Upon his return from his loan spell with Yeovil, Shephard was released by Swansea at the end of the 2016–17 season.[16] On 10 July 2017, Shephard signed for League One club Peterborough United on a two-year contract.[17] On 28 June 2018, Shephard joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.[18] Shephard was released by Forest Green Rovers at the end of the 2019–20 season.[19] On 2 September 2020 Shephard joined Newport County on a one-year contract.[20] He made his debut for Newport on 5 September 2020 in the 2-0 EFL Cup win against Swansea City.[21] He scored his first goal for Newport on 19 September 2020 in the League Two 2–1 win against Barrow.[22] Shephard played for Newport in the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021 which Newport lost to Morecambe, 1-0 after a 107th-minute penalty.[23] In June 2021 Shephard rejected a contract extension at Newport and signed a two-year contract at Salford City.[24] In June 2023 Shephard extended his Salford contract until the end of the 2024-25 season.[25] International careerShephard was called up to Wales under-21 squad to face Bulgaria in March 2015.[26] Later in the qualification campaign, Shephard made his debut in a 2–1 win over Armenia.[27] Style of playShephard is primarily a right-back but can also play at centre-back.[28] Career statistics
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