Whyte was born in
Islington, London, and started his career as a youth player at
Arsenal, Whyte stood out with his coolness and confidence, as well as his timing and good judgement of the game. The following season, Whyte continued as a regular for Arsenal as the team reached the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions, The emergence of
Tony Adams forced Whyte further down the pecking order at Highbury. he was given a
free transfer at the end of that season. In all he played 113 matches for Arsenal, scoring eight goals. No domestic club offered Whyte a contract, and he left for the United States and played for two years in the
Major Indoor Soccer League for
New York Express and
Los Angeles Lazers. In the summer of 1988, he was offered a return to England by
Second Division West Bromwich Albion; Whyte returned to the top flight in 1990, when he was signed for £450,000 by
Howard Wilkinson's
Leeds United. He was nearly ever-present for the next three seasons, putting in 146 appearances as Leeds won the
1991–92 First Division title. In 1993, he moved to
Birmingham City, winning the
1994–95 Second Division title with the Blues. In 2000, he played for Finnish
third-tier club
HyPS. ==International career==