Alex Cairns

Leeds United

Cairns began his career in the Leeds United youth academy and turned professional with the club at the end of the 2010–11 season by signing a one-year contract along with fellow youth players and twins Nathan and Lewis Turner. The following season would see Cairns join the senior team as cover for Paul Rachubka after first choice goalkeeper Andy Lonergan sustained a finger injury. Rachubka's time in the side was marked by a series of errors; three of which would come in the first half of a league match against his former club Blackpool. With Leeds 3–0 down at half time, Cairns replaced him for the second half, conceding twice as Blackpool won 5–0. Following the Blackpool game, manager Simon Grayson expressed his doubts as to whether Cairns was ready to take on the responsibility of starting in the first-team for the remaining period of Lonergan's absence. Prior to the next match against Leicester City, Grayson brought in young Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy on an emergency loan. Nevertheless, Cairns was promoted ahead of Rachubka and retained his position on the bench for the following weeks until Grayson signed veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor on a short-term basis to act as cover. Cairns signed a new two-year deal at the club on 19 January. After an injury to Jamie Ashdown for the final home game of the season, Cairns was recalled to Leeds from Conference North club Stalybridge Celtic on 26 April 2013, and was named on the bench against Brighton & Hove…

As of 27 April 2024

In November 2014, Cairns' 16-year-old brother Blake was killed in a two car collision in Conisbrough alongside four other teenagers, three of whom attended Danum Academy Sixth Form with the other having previously attended the Sixth Form. His funeral was attended by Cairns and several members of the Leeds first-team squad.

Leeds United

EFL Championship: 2024–25