Kean also played for Craigmark Burntonians and Hurlford United in the Scottish Junior Football Association, West Region Kean signed for Ayr United at the start of the 2001–02 season at the start of his senior football career.
Kean then signed for St Mirren in December 2004 for £20,000 and stayed with the club until the end of the 2007–08 season.
Kean had 113 league appearances and scored 23 league goals for the Paisley club, and also played as St Mirren won the 2005 Scottish Challenge Cup Final against Hamilton Academical.
[1] Kean then signed for Dumfries club Queen of the South in May 2008 on a pre-contract agreement.
[3] After his contract at Palmerston Park expired in May 2010, Kean signed for Greenock Morton at the start of the 2010–11 season.