Craig Hignett

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Craig Hignett born 12 January 1970 in Prescot, Merseyside is a retired former professional footballer. Attended school in Huyton, Merseyside.

Craig started his career as a striker but later in his career moved into midfield.

Craig started his career in the youth team at Liverpool before moving to Crewe Alexandra in 1988 , making his debut on 8 October 1988 against Wrexham.

In his first spell with Crewe Alexandra he made 150 appearances and scored 57 goals helping them to promotion from the old division four in the 1988/09 season and to the play offs in the 2001/02 season his last season at Crewe Alexandra before moving to the premiership with Middlesbrough in November 1992.

Despite been relegated in his first season with Middlesbrough he helped them back up two seasons later.

In 1996/97 Hignett suffered relegation with Middlesbrough again and was part of the team that lost in the Fa Cup final and League Cup final the same season.

In 1998 he left Middlesbrough to sign for Aberdeen on a free transfer having made 194 appearances and 48 goals for Middlesbrough. His stay at Aberdeen was short lived only lasting 6 months before signing for Barnsley for £800,000 in 1999.

After suffering relegation from the Premiership Barnsley were looking for a quick return to the top flight and Hignett's 20 goals in his second season for Barnsley helped them reach the play off final of the 1999/2000 season , Craig scored twice in the final but Barnsley lost 4-2 to Ipswich Town in the final.

He finally left Barnsley in 2002 after 66 appearances and 35 goals for the club when he signed for Blackburn Rovers in 2000 for £2.2. million.

He helped Blackburn Rovers regain there Premiership status and won a League Cup winners medal in 2002 when Blackburn Rovers beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the final.

But in the 2002/03 season he only played 3 league games and 1 UEFA Cup game and was sent on loan to Coventry City halfway through the season he scored on the final day of the season which was to prove to be his last appearance for Blackburn Rovers. He played 68 times and scored 14 goals for Blackburn Rovers before being released.

in 2003 he signed for Leicester City but struggled to get in the side only 15 appearances before going on loan back to Crewe Alexandra at the end of the 2003/04 season playing another 15 games.

In 2004 he had a brief stint at Leeds United before signing for Darlington scoring on his debut before moving to Cyprus to end his playing days with Apollon Limassol.

[edit] External links

• Craig Hignett career stats at Soccerbase