Deane, 47 played in three different spells for Sheffield United, initially signing from Doncaster Rovers in 1988, he helped the Blades to back-to-back promotions from Division Three and into the top flight. In 1992 they were founder members of the Premier League, and Deane is recorded as scoring the league’s first ever goal, against Manchester United.
He joined Leeds in 1993, and returned in 1997 from the Elland Road club, however his time was short-lived and in January 1998 joined Portuguese side Benfica. He later returned to England and enjoyed spells with Middlesbrough, West Ham United and Leicester City, before virtually playing out his days in Australia with Perth Glory. In the latter part of the 2005/06 season he re-signed for the Blades for a third time, as the Blades celebrated promotion back to the Premier League.
In 2012 he became manager of Norwegian club Sparsborg 08 but left in 2014. He has now been appointed as Academy coach, helping the youngsters progress into the first-team.