Born in Essex, and spending time within the academy at Tottenham Hotspur, Michael Kightly's first taste of senior football came with non-league outfit Basildon Town. 

Not long into his time with the Essex club, the winger embarked on a scholarship at Southend United, proceeding to make over 10 appearances for the now National League club. 

During his time with the Shrimpers, Kightly joined Farnborough Town on loan during the first half of the 2004/05 campaign, but at the end of that season, he was released. 

Dropping out of the Football League as a consequence, the winger arrived at Grays Athletic for the start of the 2005/06 season, with Kightly thriving and impressing in 16 months with the fifth-tier outfit.

Such form caught the eye of then Championship club Wolves took a punt on him in November 2006, initially signing him on an emergency loan before a move was made permanent on New Years' Day. 

Kightly spent two-and-a-half years in the Championship with the Midlands club before promotion to the Premier League was achieved, with the now 36-year-old proceeding to spend just over two years in England's top-flight.

In the summer of 2012, a move to Stoke City was sanctioned, with the Potters also operating in the Premier League at that time. 

After a season of top-tier action for the Potters, a loan move to Burnley in the Championship came to fruition, with Kightly then joining the Clarets on a permanent deal the following summer. 

After two-and-a-half seasons of family irregular action, Kightly completed a loan move to Burton Albion at the start 0f 2017, and the following summer, he rejoined Southend on a three-year contract. 

After two seasons of fairly regular minutes, Kightly announced his retirement in 2019. 

However, in September 2020, the winger came out of retirement to join Rushall Olympic of the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Since his full retirement, Kightly has worked with Sky Sports on a number of occasions as a pundit.