Liam Buchanan (born 27 March 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer who last played as a striker for East of Scotland League club Musselburgh Athletic.

A product of the Hearts youth system, Buchanan made his breakthrough at Cowdenbeath. Having spent five years at the Fife club, he joined Scottish Football League First Division side Partick Thistle and subsequently Dunfermline Athletic. After spells in the lower divisions of Scottish football, Buchanan then joined Scottish League One side East Fife. After a successful time in Methil, he moved to Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic in July 2014 before signing with Livingston a year later. He then joined Raith Rovers in 2017 and two years later returned for a second spell with Alloa.

Career

Born in Edinburgh, Buchanan made his breakthrough in football at Cowdenbeath, progressing through their youth system to play in the first team. Buchanan was prolific for the Central Park club, finishing top goalscorer in seasons 2005–06 and 2006–07.

Buchanan then signed for Partick Thistle at the start of the 2007–08 season. Buchanan was the Firhill club's top scorer that season, despite suffering a long-term injury early in 2008 and being out until October that same year, when he played in his return match against Airdrie United. Buchanan predominantly played in the number 9 shirt and was thought to be the next big prospect at the club. Buchanan notched 14 goals in that first season, from 27 starts and three substitute appearances.

In January 2011, Buchanan signed for Dunfermline Athletic. Buchanan helped the club win the 2010–11 Scottish First Division that gained promotion to the Scottish Premier League. The club finished bottom of the table in the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League season and were automatically relegated into the Scottish Football League First Division.

In August 2012, it was confirmed that Buchanan had rejected a new contract with Dunfermline and signed for Sligo Rovers. On 7 December 2012, Buchanan signed for Airdrie United. Buchanan left Airdrie on 10 January 2013 and then signed for Ayr United until the end of the 2012–13 season.

On 26 July 2013, Buchanan signed for East Fife. After one season there, he signed for Alloa. Buchanan then spent two seasons with Livingston, where the club were relegated and subsequently promoted the next season to the Scottish Championship. Buchanan, however, remained in Scottish League One, signing for recently relegated club Raith Rovers on 9 June 2017.

On 7 June 2019, Buchanan signed for Alloa Athletic for a second time.

On 22 June 2022, Buchanan signed for Berwick Rangers of the Lowland Football League. In his first season outside the SPFL, he was the Lowland League's top goalscorer with 22 goals.

After a strong start to the 2023-24 season, including a hat-trick against Edinburgh University, Buchanan earned a move back to the SPFL at the age of 38. Bonnyrigg Rose announced they had signed the forward on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer in the January window. Buchanan managed only one league goal in 10 outings and returned to Berwick in January, scoring twice in a 4-0 win against Broomhill on his return. In December 2025, he was released from his contract with Berwick Rangers.

Career statistics

As of match played 24 April 2021

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cowdenbeath2002–03Scottish Second Division122200000142
2003–04Scottish Third Division258311010309
2004–05297111020338
2005–0631171000103317
2006–07Scottish Second Division36203221204323
Total13354104416015359
Partick Thistle2007–08Scottish First Division22114330203114
2008–09196210010227
2009–1026101022223114
2010–11173312041265
Total8430105709311038
Dunfermline Athletic2010–11Scottish First Division175000000175
2011–12Scottish Premier League275202100316
Total44102021004811
Sligo Rovers2012League of Ireland Premier Division102000000102
Airdrie United2012–13Scottish First Division6000000060
Ayr United2012–13Scottish Second Division146000000146
East Fife2013–14Scottish League One35111012514214
Alloa Athletic2014–15Scottish Championship33143220914717
Livingston2015–16Scottish Championship35112031524514
2016–17Scottish League One36222031444527
Total71334062969041
Raith Rovers2017–18Scottish League One33101043314114
2018–1934123110404213
Total67224153718327
Alloa Athletic2019–20Scottish Championship231204320314
2020–21Scottish Championship1931063—266
Total42430106205710
Career total539186371237174712660227

Honours

Club

Dunfermline Athletic

Sligo Rovers

Livingston

Individual

External links

  • at Soccerbase