 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 had 93 league appearances and scored 29 league goals for the "Honest Men".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.