After Norwich nearly signed Scottish international midfielder Graham Dorrans on transfer deadline day at the beginning of February 2015, they went back for him signing him on loan on 17th February 2015.

Dorrans spent a period of his youth training with Scottish Premier League club Rangers but he began his career at Livingston. He spent the first half of the 2005–06 season on loan at Partick Thistle. He made 15 league appearances, scoring five goals, for the Glasgow side. He went on to play 91 games for Livingston, winning the Scottish First Division Player's Player of the Year award at the end of the 2007–08 season

In July 2008, he joined West Bromwich Albion for an initial £100,000, which could possibly rise to £150,000 depending on appearances. He made his debut in the English Premier League for West Bromwich Albion on 21st December 2008, coming on as a second half substitute against Manchester City. He scored his first goal for West Brom in a League Cup tie at Bury on 11 August 2009

The 2009-10 season saw Dorrans break into the West Brom team and his performances led to reported interest from several Premier League clubs. On 4th January 2010, Dorrans signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at the Baggies. On 11th February the same year it was rumoured that Manchester City were ready to make a bid for Dorrans believed to be around £6 million. He scored a 30-yard free kick against Preston North End on 21st March. Dorrans was then named PFA fans' Championship player of the month for March 2010, following his impressive performances.

in April 2010 West Brom rejected an offer of £4 million from West Ham United for Dorrans, and a further £5 million bid on 8 July 2010

Dorrans was made available for transfer by West Brom in January 2013, after he was left out of a matchday squad. He had a "difficult start" to the 2013–14 season, during which he made 16 appearances. Despite this, he played more under new Head Coach Pepe Mel, leading to Dorrans signing a three year contract with West Brom in July 2014

Dorrans represented Scotland at under-20 level and was selected for the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada. He won five Under-21 caps. On 10 October 2009 he made his full Scotland debut in a friendly against Japan. Dorrans made his home debut for Scotland on 3 March 2010 in the 1–0 victory over the Czech Republic, earning the sponsors man of the match award for his efforts.

He made his debut for Norwich as a substitute in the 3-0 away win at Watford on 21st February 2015. His full debut came in the 2-1 away win at Blackburn thee days later. He made 18 appearances scoring three goals as Norwich finished third in the Championship and then won the play-offs, beating Ipswich in the semi-finals and Middlesbrough 2-0 at Wembley. Dorrans then signed a two year contract with Norwich on 27th May 2015 for an undisclosed fee. Alex Neil said "Graham has been a very important part of the team over the last few months and he has Premier League experience and is a top player. His experience and quality will help us and we're delighted he has joined us on a permanent basis."

Dorrans made 23 appearances for City in 2015/16 as the Canaries were relegated from the Premier League.

Following Norwich's relegation from the Premier League in May 2016, Dorrans was linked with a switch to Scottish side Rangers. Newly promoted Burnley and Middlesbrough were added to his list of suitors on 24th May 2016 by the Daily Mail.

He made 24 appearances, scoring 6 goals in Norwich's 2016/17 campaign.

On 21st April 2017, the Scottish Sun identified Dorrans as a target for newly appointed Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha. Former Canary Jonatan Johansson is part of Caixinha’s backroom team and was at Preston on Easter Monday to watch Dorrans score in a 3-1 Championship win at Deepdale. They are reported to have initially bid £700,000 which the Canaries rejected in June. This was then reported to be increased to £1.3million on 12th June 2017. Dorrans was also linked with Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday.

His move to Rangers was finally completed on 6th July 2017, signing a three year deal. “I can’t wait to start, It is something I have always dreamed of since I was a kid so I am looking forward to getting into training and getting the boots on. Once that day comes to run out at Ibrox it will be great. I want to come in and help the youngsters and I like to think I can bring a bit of experience having played at a high level for the last 10 years now. I am confident we have a good enough squad to compete. Hopefully I can come in and help the team, help the young boys develop and help the club get back to where it belongs."

After an injury hit two years with Rangers, he was released in September 2019 and signed for Scottish Championship side Dundee on 20th September 2019 despite interest from Scottish premiership and English sides.

On 29th November 2020 it was reported that Dorrans had signed for Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers following his release from Scottish club Dundee. Wanderers are managed by former Canary midfielder Carl Robinson and include Dorran's former Rangers teammate Kenny Miller in their squad.

He left Australia on 6th July 2021 on compassionate grounds for family reasons after scoring four goals in 24 appearances for Wanderers, helping them secure a mid table position. He signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 27th July 2021 on a two year contract. He knew manager Peter Grant from their tiem together at West Brom. Dorrans said “I spoke to the gaffer a couple of weeks ago and it took a bit of time for me to make my decision. I know how I like to play and that suits the gaffer here — and he suits me.
“Once we had the chat, I was just looking forward to coming in and getting started. I am delighted to get it done. I really enjoyed working with Peter when I was at West Brom and have met him a few times since, and even asked him for advice a few times. “I like his coaching style, his work ethic and the standards he sets in training. That was a big part in me coming here. When you get to my age and the stage of my career, you look for certain options — and his style of play and coaching methods suit me down to the ground. I wanted to be involved. So, it is great for me to know exactly what I am coming in to.”

He left Dunfermline by mutual consent on 2nd September 2022.

On 2nd May 2023 he signed a one year contract with Johnstone Burgh of the West of Scotland Football League (Scotland's seventh tier)