Livingston FC have completed the return of Graham Carey on a one-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 Premiership campaign. The 37-year-old midfielder impressed during pre-season and in the Premier Sports Cup to secure his place back in the Lions’ squad.
What happened to bring Carey back?
Carey initially joined Livingston last season and quickly made an impact, providing three assists in a single game against Kelty Hearts. His pin-point cross set up Danny Wilson’s late equaliser away to Falkirk, and he scored from the spot to secure a point at home to Hibernian. After his contract expired this summer, Carey returned to train with the squad during pre-season while searching for his next club.
Featuring as a trialist in pre-season and the opening Premier Sports Cup fixtures, Carey reminded everyone of his quality. His two-goal display against Forfar Athletic in Tuesday night’s fixture earned him the Player of the Match award and convinced the club to offer a new deal. He’ll wear the number 27 shirt for the upcoming season.
Why the Lions brought Carey back
Sporting Director David Martindale admitted the club had targeted a younger winger with similar attributes to Carey. But the midfielder’s summer performances changed that plan. Martindale said: “We were actively looking to bring in a right winger with similar attributes to Graham, albeit ideally a younger version if I’m being completely honest. However, Graham has shown through all of our testing that he’s still right up there with the younger players in the group in terms of his conditioning, and we already know the quality he brings on the ball.”
Carey’s professionalism and attitude impressed the coaching staff, and his return is seen as a boost for Livingston’s push to return to the Premiership. The club sits 12th in the final 2025 Premiership table with 16 points from 33 games and a recent run of LDLDW form.
What Carey brings to the Lions
At 37, Carey’s experience and technical ability remain key assets. His pre-season displays showed he can still compete with younger players in conditioning tests, while his match performances proved his quality on the ball. The Lions’ attack struggled for goals last season, scoring just 35 times while conceding 66, leaving them 54 points behind league leaders Heart of Midlothian.
Carey’s return adds depth and creativity to a squad aiming to improve on last year’s 12th-place finish. His ability to unlock defences and contribute in big moments could be crucial as Livingston target an immediate bounce-back.
Livingston FC open their Premiership campaign with renewed optimism after securing Carey’s services. The midfielder’s return is a statement of intent as the Lions look to climb the table in 2026/27.
