Michael Ball (footballer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Ball
Personal information
Full name	Michael John Ball
Date of birth	October 2, 1979
Place of birth	Liverpool, England
Position	Defender
Club information
Current club	PSV Eindhoven
Number	5
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
1996-2001 2001-2005 2005-	Everton Rangers PSV Eindhoven	121 (8) 57 (1) 12 (0)
National team**
2001	England	1 (0)
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 September 2006. ** National team caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2006.

Michael John Ball (born 2 October 1979 in Liverpool, England) is a professional footballer who currently plays for Dutch Eredivisie team PSV Eindhoven. He is a left-back.

He joined Everton as a youngster and graduated from the club's renowned youth academy, playing his first senior match in the 1996/97 season. Ball developed into an impressive player equally adept at both centre back and his main position, left back. His solid performances for Everton led to an England call-up in February 2001 where he played against Spain. With Everton's financial problems he was allowed to leave the club and moved to Scottish giants Rangers in a £6.5m deal, the second highest ever transfer fee for the Glasgow side. His time with Rangers was marred by a long-term knee injury and upon his return Rangers were reluctant to play him further as they would have incurred an additional fee to Everton and the Gers own financial situation precluded this.

He moved to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2005 on a free transfer, spurning interest from Birmingham City and signing a two year deal (believed to be worth £27,000 a week according to the Dutch edition of Metro newspaper), with the option of a further year. He is reported to be unhappy with his lack of games this season and is said to be keen on a move back to British football in the January transfer window.

PSV Eindhoven - Current Squad
1 Gomes | 2 Kromkamp | 3 Reiziger | 4 Alex | 5 Ball | 6 Simons | 7 Väyrynen | 8 Cocu | 9 Kluivert | 10 Koné | 11 Méndez | 14 da Costa | 15 Čulina | 16 Aissati | 17 Farfán | 18 Addo | 19 Lamey | 20 Afellay | 21 Moens | 22 Fehér | 23 Salcido | 24 Nguyen | 25 de Jong | 26 Tardelli | 30 Plá | 31 Coe | 33 Beerens | Coach: Koeman