Irish international Alan Lee joined Norwich on loan from Crystal Palace on March 19th 2009 until the end of the 2008/9 season. He made his debut in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham on March 21st 2009 and was unlucky not to score

Alan began his career as a trainee with Aston Villa, turning professional in August 1995, although was never quite good enough for the first team at Villa Park. His league debut came after joining Torquay United on loan in November 1998, scoring 3 times in 9 games. In March 1999 he joined Port Vale on loan, leaving Villa in July that year when Burnley signed him for £200,000. He moved to Rotherham United for £150,000 in September 2000, scoring 36 times in 114 games for the Millmoor side. In August 2003 he moved to Cardiff City for a fee of £850,000, just days after impressing Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence in a goalless draw on the opening day of the season

In January 2006, Lee joined Ipswich Town for £100,000. He scored his second career hat-trick in a 5–0 win against Luton Town on 29 October 2006. He moved to Crystal Palace in August 2008 after 103 games and 31 goals for the Tractor Boys.

Alan made 7 appearances for City scoring 2 goals. Despite City's relegation to League One, he has expressed an interest to stay at Carrow Road. Norwich and Palace were said to be in negotiations but could not find an agreeable price. In the meantime, it was reported by The Daily Mirror that Barnsley had made a bid for him.

Alan signed a two year contract with Lee Clark's Huddersfield, for an undisclosed fee, on 25th August 2010

Out of contract, he was released by Huddersfield on 10th May 2013. He had scored 12 goals for Huddersfield in 101 games (46 starts). On his release, the 34 year old said that he would take his coaching qualifications in the summer but wanted to continue playing.

Alan joined Ipswich's Academy coaching team in the summer of 2013 although Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy was considering giving him a short-term deal as a player after watching him play in an Under-21 game. On 19th September 2013, he apologised to Ipswich fans for his controversial spell at bitter rivals Norwich City, insisting his heart has always been very much in Suffolk. “I know I’ve got some making up to do,” said the striker. “I’ll do everything I can to win them over. I know I got some criticism for that at the time, but I was lonely in London (at Crystal Palace), my friend (Bryan Gunn) was manager of Norwich at the time and it was an opportunity to get back up here with my family. I apologise, but it was something that was right for me at that time.”

He left Ipswich in the latter stages of 2018 to become Head of Football at Culford School and then joined Bury Town as Head of Player Development. In July 2019 he joined the board at Bury Town as Director of Club Development with a five year plan to make the club a centre of excellence and one of the biggest non-league sides in East Anglia.

He also works as a Mortgage Advisor.