Shay Given
Nationality :
Irish
Date of Birth :
20/04/1976
Height :
6' 1" (185cm)
Weight :
13st 4lbs (84.44kg)
Squad Number :
1
Previous Clubs :
Manchester City,
Newcastle,
Sunderland (loan),
Swindon (loan),
Blackburn
Position :
Goalkeeper
Shay Given signed for Villa from Manchester City - and is looking to make a massive success of his upcoming career in claret and blue.
Given spent the previous season on the bench as understudy to England No.1 Joe Hart - but before this his career was littered with time as the first choice man between the sticks.
After initial early spells as Lifford Celtic, Celtic and Blackburn, he moved to Newcastle, where his career really set fire.
He immediately became first choice for the Tyneside club and impressed throughout his spell in the north-east.
While with the Magpies, Given played in a UEFA Cup semi-final, Champions League second round and two FA Cup finals.
He played 462 games for the Toon, only 34 games away from the club record of Jimmy Lawrence.
His accomplishments and performances there led to him being recognised as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers.
Manchester City bought Given from Newcastle in the 2009 January transfer window, where he quickly replaced Hart as the first choice goalkeeper.
While there, he was named captain while club captain Kolo Toure was on international duty.
Injury ended his season prematurely the following year and he has since been battling Hart for his place.
At international level Given made his debut against Russia in 1996, while on loan to Sunderland.
Since then he has gone on to become Ireland's most capped player with 113 caps, eclipsing Pat Bonner as the most capped goalkeeper in 2007 and passing Kevin Kilbane on the list in 2010.
He played in both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
Given has long been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
His manager at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini, described him as 'one of the five best goalkeepers in the world', while international team-mate Robbie Keane said he was 'one of the best goalkeepers I've ever seen'.
Wales manager Gary Speed described him as 'the best goalkeeper in England'.
Shay was named to the Telegraph Sport Team of the 2000s, as well as two PFA Teams of the Year.
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