Kevin McDonald’s Journey Back to Professional Football After Kidney Transplant
Kevin McDonald, a Bradford City midfielder, has opened up about the difficulties he faced in trying to get back into professional football after his kidney transplant. McDonald received a kidney from his brother Fraser in May 2021 and was out of action from July 2020 to February 2022. He eventually returned to the game with Dundee United and ended last season with Exeter City in League One.
The Challenges of Getting Back Into Professional Football
McDonald revealed that the process of finding a club was “horrific”. He said that some clubs were honest with him about his situation, but there were some who didn’t even pick up the phone. He eventually signed a two-year deal with the Bantams last week.
The Scotland international admitted that getting back to fitness was a difficult process. He said that the first time he ran the length of the pitch he was absolutely exhausted and it felt like a setback every time he tried something new. However, he never doubted himself and eventually started to feel sharper.
Choosing Challenge Over ‘Easy Street’
The Bantams finished sixth in League Two last season but were beaten by eventual winners Carlisle in the play-off semi-finals. McDonald had a number of options available to him but chose to sign with Bradford City because he wanted to play in a successful team that was challenging for promotion. He said that he could add experience to the team, having played at a good level and knowing how to handle different atmospheres both home and away.
McDonald also revealed that he could have gone abroad and seen out his career for money, but he doesn’t want to just be on “easy street”. He said that he loves playing football and wants to be part of a successful team.
Conclusion
Kevin McDonald’s journey back to professional football after his kidney transplant was not an easy one. He faced many challenges in trying to find a club and getting back to fitness, but he never gave up and eventually found a team that suited his ambitions. McDonald is now determined to help Bradford City challenge for promotion and prove that he can still play at a high level.