Darren Young (Scottish footballer)

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Personal information
Darren Young
Date of birth	October 13, 1978 (age 28)
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Playing position	Midfield
Club information
Current club	Dunfermline Athletic
Number	4
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1996-2003 2003-present	Aberdeen Dunfermline Athletic	132 (4) 092 (7)
National team²
1997-1999	Scotland U21	? (?)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 September 2006. ² National team caps and goals correct as of 22 September 2006. * Appearances (Goals)

Darren Young (born October 13, 1978, in Glasgow) is a Scottish professional football player currently with Dunfermline Athletic in the SPL.

Young started his career at Aberdeen (where he was later to be joined by younger brother Derek), signing from Crombie Sports on February 29, 1996. He made a quick impact, making his 1st team debut, versus Hearts in August 1996, while aged only 17. Young's prodigious development, which had seen him awarded several Scotland Under-21 caps, was hindered, however, by a serious knee injury, which required three separate operations to repair.

Young made a successful return to the Aberdeen 1st team in 2000, by which stage his brother Derek was also an established member of Ebbe Skovdahl's resurgent side. Darren was soon awarded the captaincy and led the 'Dons' to a 4th place finish in the league in season 2001/02. This ensured European football returned to Pittodrie and Young increased his continental appearances for Abedeen to 10, as the 'Dons' played FC Nistru Otaci and Hertha BSC Berlin in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup.

Darren and brother Derek joined Dunfermline Athletic together in July 2003 as part of Jimmy Calderwood's new-look side and were part of the team defeated 3-1 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in May 2004. Young was once again blighted by injuries the following season but helped the Pars retain their SPL status in the 2005/06, as well as reaching League Cup Final, where Celtic again proved too strong.

In July 2006, Derek was released by Dunfermline (eventually signing for Partick Thistle), ensuring the Young brothers would play separately for the first time in their professional careers.