Leighton Baines
Nationality :
English
Squad No :
3
Position :
Defender
Birth Date :
Dec 11, 1984
Birthplace :
Kirkby, Liverpool
Height :
1.70m
Weight :
74.45 kg
Leighton Baines joined Everton just a few days before the start of the 2007/08 season.
Recruited from Wigan for an undisclosed fee, Baines became the third senior signing of the summer following Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar.
He joined on a five-year deal.
Having been on the Toffees' books as a teenager, Baines eventually joined Wigan's youth set-up and made his senior debut at the age of 17.
He went on to make nearly 150 appearances for the Latics, impressing in the Premier League and becoming a regular for England under 21s.
An attacking and tenacious left-back, Baines was a vital player for both his club and country, playing all England's games in the 2007 European under 21 Championships.
While on duty with the England squad Baines became friends with Everton's James Vaughan.
And the two became clubmates when the defender agreed to join the Toffees ahead of the first game of the season, ironically against his former club.
Leighton missed the first few games of the 2007/08 season through injury and once he returned he shared left-back duties with Joleon Lescott and Nuno Valente.
The following season was Baines' best yet as he made the left-back position his own with a string of excellent performances which saw him included in Fabio Capello's England squad for the qualifier against Ukraine in April.
He had already scored his first Everton goal - an excellent free-kick - as Everton lost 2-1 to Portsmouth in March.
At the start of 2010 Baines scored his second goal of the season (both penalties, the first having been scored against former club Wigan) in Everton's 3-1 win over Carlisle.
With Ashley Cole injured and Wayne Bridge effectively retired from international football, Baines made his England debut in March 2010, helping the Three Lions to a 3-1 win over Egypt and enhancing his chances of playing in the World Cup in South Africa.
Baines finished the season with a flourish, recording nine assists - the highest number for a Premier League defender in the last decade.
He also received the Players' Player of the Year award from his Everton peers.
On May 14, Baines was part of England head coach Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional squad to travel to the pre-World Cup training camp in Austria.
But despite playing in both of England's pre-tournament warm-up games, Baines lost out to Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock for a place in the final 23 man squad.
In the 2010/11 campaign Baines proved to be one of Everton's most consistent performers, and also weighed in with a few goals including what proved to be the winner in an excellent 2-1 win over Manchester City at Eastlands.
Baines's excellent form was rewarded in February 2011 when he was recalled to the England squad for the friendly against Denmark.
Baines went on to win his third cap, coming on as a late substitute for Ashley Cole in a 2-1 victory in Copenhagen.
He capped a fine season by winning player, players' player and goal of the season at the end of season awards and was most pundit's choice at left back when they named their team the season.
He finished the campaign with an impressive seven goals.
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