Exeter City signed striker Ryan Swan, son of Derek a well-known League of Ireland player, on a short-term deal in January 2017 until the end of the season. He put pen to paper on a contract at St James Park having impressed on trial at the club in November 2016.

Ryan had started his football career at Tolka Rovers and made his League of Ireland bow with Bray Wanderers where he became friends with future Exeter City player Pierce Sweeney.

He then moved to UCD at the start of the 2015 season and scored 18 goals in 54 appearances as well as netting three times in the Europa League in 2015.

Ryan left City in summer 2017 and moved back to the League of Ireland to see out the 2017 season with Cabinteeley. He was with Bohemians in 2018 and 2019 before heading north to play for Warrenpoint Town in early 2020.

Ryan remained at the County Down club in 2022/23 before switching to Annagh United ahead of the following season.