A lifelong Rangers FC fan, left-footed central defender East is a native of Paisley, Scotland. His footballing journey started at St. Peters Boys Club before being scouted for the Academy of his local club St. Mirren at the age of seven. East came through the ranks with the Saints before going in search of senior football at the age of 17.

His first stop was a year in junior football with Johnstone Burgh before his senior career started with Queen’s Park, where he was primarily used as a substitute, scoring once in the 2018-19 season.

In July 2019, a week after his 19th birthday, East signed for Albion Rovers where he had a breakout season, scoring seven league goals in his solitary season with the Coatbridge club. At the end of that season, East rejected a contract offer from the Wee Rovers, instead preferring to chase a full-time contract elsewhere.

In September 2020, East signed for Queen of the South on a full-time contract. He spent three seasons at Palmerston Park, racking up almost 100 appearances, but it was until his second season that he was converted from a centre forward to a central defender.

After leaving Queen of the South in 2023 he went on trial with Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle before Linfield snapped up the free agent on deadline day, September 1, initially on a one-year contract. East made his debut in a 1-0 home defeat to Larne in the County Antrim Shield on September 5, 2023. He scored his first Linfield goal during extra-time in a dramatic victory in a League Cup Quarter-Final victory away to Larne, followed by winning goals in league matches against Coleraine and Crusaders across the festive period. Unfortunately, a very impressive debut season at Windsor Park was ended prematurely as he picked up a knee injury at the beginning of March. He made 32 appearances in his first season with Linfield and won the League Cup

In January 2024, East signed a one-year contract extension to take him up to the end of the 2024-25 season.