- Leighton Baines
Infobox Football biography
playername = Leighton Baines
fullname = Leighton John Baines
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1984|12|11|df=y
cityofbirth =Kirkby
countryofbirth =England
height = height|ft=5|in=8
currentclub = Everton
clubnumber = 3
position = Left back
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2002–2007
2007–
clubs = Wigan Athletic
Everton
caps(goals) = 145 (4)
026 (0)
nationalyears = 2004–2007
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 016 (1)
pcupdate = 19:06, 24 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 15:54, 21 June 2007 (UTC)Leighton John Baines (born
11 December 1984 inLiverpool ,Merseyside ) is an English footballer, who plays left-back for Everton in the EnglishPremier League . He won 16 caps for the England Under-21 team.Playing career
Wigan
Baines made his debut for Wigan Athletic in 2002, and soon became an established member of the Wigan first team, and was a regular when Wigan earned promotion to the Premiership in 2004–05, in which he scored his first goal for the club, a spectacular strike from long-range against Ipswich Town.
Baines signed a new contract with Wigan in February 2005 despite being linked to a number of Premiership clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton, [cite web |title=Baines commits to Latics |url=http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=254724&plid=12745&clid=111&cpid=10 |publisher=skysports.com |accessdate=2006-09-23 ] and extended his contract again after impressive displays in his first season in the Premiership.
He scored a vital goal for England against Germany on
6 October ,2006 , securing a 1–0 win in the first leg of a UEFA European U21 Championship play-off. He played all four of England's matches in the2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship finals.Everton
Transfer rumours surrounded Baines throughout the summer before the 2007–08 Premiership season, as he was linked with Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland. On
25 July ,2007 , Baines rejected a move to Sunderland, after their bid of a reported £6 million was accepted by Wigan, with it being suggested that the player favoured a move back to his home city of Liverpool. [cite web |title=Baines rejects Sunderland switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6288856.stm |publisher=bbc.co.uk |accessdate=2007-07-25 ] On6 August 2007 , it was confirmed by Wigan and the player himself that Everton had completed the signing of Baines, for an initial £5 million, with another £1m in add-ons, depending on Baines' appearances for Everton. [cite web |title=Baines joins Everton |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2643417,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports | accessdate=2007-08-06 ] [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6934188.stm |title=Everton capture Baines from Wigan |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2007-08-07 |publisher=BBC Sport ] However, he has rarely featured in his first season (13 starts, 9 as sub) due to an injury and the good form ofPhil Jagielka andJoseph Yobo at centre back which has keptJoleon Lescott at left back.References
External links
*soccerbase|id=30558|name=Leighton Baines
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