Zander Murray signs for Bonnyrigg Rose to become first openly gay player in SPFL for 29 years

Bonnyrigg Rose have signed Gala Fairydean forward Zander Murray who will now become the first openly gay player in the SPFL for nearly 30 years.

The League Two side confirmed the signing of the 31-year-old, who publicly announced his sexuality just four months ago while playing in the Lowland League, on Friday.

New chapter 🌹⚽️ https://t.co/sCmF2O2XH6
— Zander Murray (@ZanderMurray) January 13, 2023

Former Airdrie and Hearts player Justin Fashanu was the last openly gay player in the men’s professional football leagues when he played in Scotland in the early 90s.

Fashanu made his last appearance in Scottish football for Hearts in 1994.

Murray started his career in the Motherwell and Airdrie youth academies but played for Broxburn and Pumpherston in non-league set-ups before joining Gala in 2019 and hitting more than 100 goals for the Borders club.

He told his new club’s website: “I’m just buzzing to join the Rosey Posey. What a club. I’m now looking forward to getting on to that pitch.”

Bonnyrigg Rose revealed they had fought off competition for Murray’s signature, and manager Robbie Horn added: “Zander is a player we’ve admired for a long time now. We have actually tried to sign him before.

“He’s desperate for a crack at senior football and this is probably his last chance. He’s quick, strong and scores goals.”