Gary Cahill

Infobox Football biography
playername = Gary Cahill


fullname = Gary James Cahill
height = height|ft=6|in=2
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|12|19
cityofbirth = Sheffield
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Bolton Wanderers
clubnumber = 5
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2004–2008
2004–2005
2007–2008
2008–
clubs = Aston Villa
→ Burnley (loan)
→ Sheffield United (loan)
Bolton Wanderers
caps(goals) = 28 (1)
27 (1)
16 (2)
17 (1)
nationalyears = 2007
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 04 (0)
pcupdate = 14:18, 5 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 21:25, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

Gary James Cahill (born December 19, 1985 in Sheffield, England) is an English footballer who currently plays for Bolton Wanderers.

Club career

Cahill started his career at AFC Dronfield, a Sunday league team in his hometown, where he played up until the age of 15 when he signed for Aston Villa's academy.

Aston Villa

Cahill previously played for Burnley on loan and during his spell, which began in November 2004, he was handed the accolades of Burnley's Player Of The Year and Young Player Of The Year.

He made his Villa debut as a substitute in the 5-0 defeat at Manchester United and impressed on his first start in the local derby game against West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park on 9 April2006.

Just a week later he scored his first goal against rivals Birmingham City. Villa went on to win the match 3–1.

Cahill started the following season injured, but took advantage of an injury to Martin Laursen later in the season to force his way into the Villa team. He made several appearances for Villa during the 2006-07 Premier League season, and was widely considered to be a terrific prospect.

On 19 September 2007, Cahill joined Sheffield United on a three month loan dealcite news
title = Blades complete Cahill loan deal
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7002782.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-09-16
accessdate = 2007-11-15] , despite being a fan of cross city rivals Sheffield WednesdayFact|date=November 2007 He made his debut in a 3-2 away defeat at Crystal Palace a few days later.cite news
title = Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheff Utd
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6996435.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-09-22
accessdate = 2007-11-15] Cahill scored his first goal for Sheffield United in a 1-0 win at Stoke City on 10 November 2007.cite news
title = Stoke 0-1 Sheff Utd
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7076450.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-11-10
accessdate = 2007-11-15] Under the terms of his loan agreement Gary returned to Villa Park in mid December 2007 having played sixteen games and scored two goals for the Blades.

Speculation has surrounded Cahill's future in the January 2008 transfer window with Villa's city rivals Birmingham City [cite news
title = Birmingham thwarted in double bid
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7181949.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-01-14
accessdate = 2008-01-14] , Bolton Wanderers and Turkish club Beşiktaş J.K. [cite news
title = Besiktas move for Majstorovic
url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_3039665,00.html
publisher = Sky Sports
date = 2008-01-11
accessdate = 2008-01-11] all reportedly showing an interest.

Bolton Wanderers

On 30 January, 2008 Cahill joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half year deal. On 2 February, 2008 Cahill made his league debut for Bolton in their 2–0 victory over Reading. [cite news
title = Reading 0-2 Bolton
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7210608.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2008-02-02
accessdate = 2008-02-02]

Cahill has since become a firm favourite at the Reebok Stadium and won the "Best Newcomer" award at the end of the season. In July 2008, he was handed the number 5 shirt by manager Gary Megson, which was previously worn by Abdoulaye Méïté. On 5 October 2008 Cahill scored his first Bolton goal in a 3–1 victory at West Ham United.

International career

Cahill was one of a number of uncapped players in Stuart Pearce's first squad as England U21 coach. He was not chosen to start the match, on 6 February,2007, against Spain.

His first under-21 cap for England was the first game at the new Wembley Stadium, where he partnered Anton Ferdinand at the centre of the England defence. His final of four caps came in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, where he made one appearance.

Cahill is tipped by Gary Megson to be a future England international. [cite news
title = Megson's men to shine
url = http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/wanderers/wanderersnews/display.var.2350891.0.megsons_men_to_shine.php
publisher = The Bolton News
date = 2008-06-19
accessdate = 2008-06-19]

Honours

Aston Villa:

Goal of the Season
*Winner (2005-06)

Burnley:

Player of the Year
* Winner (2004-05)

Young Player of the Year
* Winner (2004-05)

Notes and References

External links

* [http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/players/profile.php?id=10 Bolton Wanderers Profile] at [http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/ Burnden Aces]
*soccerbase|id=40093|name=Gary Cahill