David Goodwillie

David John Hugh Goodwillie (born 28 March 1989) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Glasgow United.

Goodwillie was playing as a youth for Carse Thistle in his native Stirling before joining Dundee United as a 14-year-old in 2003, being spotted playing in a Scottish Youth FA trial in Dundee.

In signing from Carse Thistle, Goodwillie followed in the footsteps of Duncan Ferguson who also played for the Stirling-based boys club.

In July 2005, Goodwillie played for the first team in the pre-season City of Discovery Cup, appearing as a 77th-minute substitute in the tournament win.

He signed professional forms with United in March 2005.

On 31 December 2005, Goodwillie made his competitive debut for United, appearing as a late substitute in the defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

Goodwillie made ten substitute appearances for the United first team during the 2005–06 season, with the majority coming in the final few minutes of each match.

On 4 March 2006, in his fifth appearance for United, Goodwillie came off the bench to score a late goal for United against Hibernian at Easter Road.

In October 2006, Goodwilie signed a new contract until May 2010 and started his first match for the club, against Falkirk.

Goodwillie started twice more under new manager Craig Levein in the following two months, due to the injuries of other strikers.

Following signings made in the January transfer window, he found himself largely an unused substitute for the remainder of the 2006–07 season, featuring just six times after New Year.

Goodwillie made two substitute appearances at the start of 2007–08 season, then joined Scottish Second Division side Raith Rovers on a two-month loan in November 2007, which was subsequently extended until the end of the season.

Goodwillie scored nine goals in 21 league appearances for the Kirkcaldy side.

Goodwillie has been convicted of assaults three times, committed in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

He featured for Dundee United in the early rounds of the 2008–09 League Cup, scoring three times against lower league sides.

He added to his solitary SPL goal in the latter stages of the 2008–09 season, scoring a last-minute equaliser against Hibernian at Tannadice, then netting again against Hibernian later that season and also against Aberdeen.

In September 2009 Goodwillie was arrested after a nightclub doorman was knocked unconscious.

Two months later, Goodwillie received a £200 fine for his part in the incident.

Dundee United manager Peter Houston placed Goodwillie under a "house arrest" scheme to avoid further trouble.

In the 2009–10 season, Goodwillie began as a regular starter for United, scoring three goals in the first five matches of the season.

Notching twelve goals by mid-April, Goodwillie's performances were recognised with the Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Year award.

Born in Stirling, Goodwillie came through the Dundee United youth system and he won the SPFA and SFWA Young Player of the Year awards for the 2010–11 season.

His performances with United earned him selection for the Scotland national team and a £2 million move to Blackburn Rovers, who were then in the English Premier League.

In May 2010, Goodwillie scored the opening goal as United won the 2010 Scottish Cup Final by 3–0 against Ross County.

Goodwillie scored in six consecutive league games early in the 2010–11 season, prompting United chairman Stephen Thompson to say any other club would have to pay £3 million to sign him.

His performances were rewarded with the SPFA Young Player of the Year award for 2010–11.

In 2011 he was accused of raping a woman with his team-mate David Robertson.

Goodwillie signed a one-year extension to his contract with United in March 2011.

Two days after signing an extension to his contract, Goodwillie scored the winning goal for United against Rangers at Ibrox.

Championship side Cardiff City, opened talks with Dundee United about transferring Goodwillie on 23 June 2011.

The following day, United received bids from Rangers and Blackburn Rovers, both of which were rejected.

On 31 July 2011, Blackburn Rovers and Dundee United agreed a fee for Goodwillie with an upfront fee of £2 million plus £800,000 in clauses, giving the striker permission to discuss terms with the Lancashire club.

He was loaned to Crystal Palace, Dundee United and Blackpool, and released by Blackburn in 2014, after which he signed with Aberdeen.

After a loan spell with Ross County, Goodwillie moved to Plymouth Argyle in 2016.

In a civil case in 2016, he was found to have raped her and ordered to pay £100,000 in compensation.

Goodwillie resumed his career in the Scottish leagues with Clyde.

After over four years there, he signed for Raith Rovers in January 2022.

A negative reaction to his signing led to the club declaring he would not play for them, and he was released from his contract in September 2022.

He has since played once for both Livingston United and Radcliffe.

He left Plymouth in January 2017 after being judged as a rapist in a Civil case.