Fabian Delph

Fabian Delph

Delph playing for England U21
Personal information
Full name Fabian Delph[1]
Date of birth 21 November 1989 (1989-11-21) (age 22)[2]
Place of birth Bradford, England
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Playing position Centre midfielder
Club information
Current club Aston Villa
Number 16[4]
Youth career
2000–2001 Bradford City
2001–2006 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Leeds United 46 (6)
2009– Aston Villa 25 (0)
National team
2008 England U19 2 (0)
2008– England U21 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:47, 4 April 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:06, 18 November 2009 (UTC)

Fabian Delph (born 21 November 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11. Having played just 43 games for Leeds at League One level and one at Championship level at the end of the 2006–07 season, he transferred to Premier League side Aston Villa in August 2009 for £6 million.

Contents

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Career

Leeds United

Born in Bradford on 21 November 1989,[2][5] Delph started his career in football as a youngster at Bradford City.[6] Delph left City in September 2001 to join Leeds United after he was recommended to their academy coach Greg Abbott by former Bradford manager Paul Jewell, whose son played with Delph.[7][8] He went to Tong Secondary School, which he left in 2006 to sign a two-year scholarship with Leeds United, at the age of 16 years old. He completed his studies at the partner school to LUFC, Boston Spa School. In March 2008, Delph started his international career, making his debut as a substitute for the England Under-19s.[9]

After a string of impressive performances in spring 2007, Delph was made captain of the Leeds Reserves. He was given his debut at Leeds as a substitute in the final match of the 2006–07 season against Derby County on 6 May 2007, a game in which Robert Bayly was also given a debut for Leeds, Bayly was sent off in the game for an apparent headbutt.[10] He was awarded his first professional contract on 11 January 2008, and made two appearances for Leeds in the 2007–08 season, both as a substitute.[11]

Delph impressed in the 2008–09 pre-season friendly against Barnet, earning praise from both manager Gary McAllister[12] and former Leeds player Eddie Gray. He made his first League Cup start in Leeds' 5–2 win away at Chester City in the first round on 13 August 2008. Having gained more first-team experience, on 5 September 2008, Delph signed a new four year contract at Leeds.[13] He celebrated his new contract by scoring his first senior goal the following day as Leeds defeated Crewe Alexandra 5–2.[14] He soon followed it up by scoring twice, both "superb goals" from long range, against Walsall during a 3–0 win.[15]

Delph's form attracted the attention of Premier League managers, with Arsenal's Arsène Wenger reported to be lining up a £6m bid for the midfielder,[16] and Newcastle United having a bid rejected by Leeds chairman Ken Bates.[17] His performances also prompted Stuart Pearce to give Delph his first call-up to the England under-21 squad in November 2008.[18] He was a late substitute for Craig Gardner as England defeated Czech Republic to win his first under-21 cap on 18 November.[19] During the January 2009 transfer window, Leeds rejected another two bids from Premier League for Delph, with Bates saying: "We explained to both clubs that we don't deal in petty cash."[20] The following day he scored a "goal of genuine quality" against Brighton & Hove Albion by finding the top corner of the goal with a curling shot following a long run. Manager Simon Grayson said: "If he scores goals like that, his value is going to go up. It certainly won’t go down."[21] Despite the attention of Premier League managers, Delph remained with Leeds as the January transfer window closed.[22]

By March 2009, his performances during the 2008–09 season earned Delph a nomination for the League One player of the year, which was won by Leicester City's Matty Fryatt, and helped him to win the young player of the year in the end of season Football League Awards.[23] The awards for the 2008–09 season did not end there, with Delph winning young player of the season, goal of the season, for his strike against Brighton and player's player of the season at the club awards.[24] After Leeds lost out in the playoff semi finals against Millwall,[25] there was much speculation about Fabian's future at Leeds, however he did manage to play in Leeds' early pre season games, before ultimately Leeds turned down offfers from other clubs and Delph completed his move to Aston Villa.

Aston Villa

After Leeds failed to gain promotion from League One, several Premier League clubs including Everton,[26] Manchester City,[27] Fulham, Sunderland,[28] Tottenham Hotspur[29] and Aston Villa were linked with Delph. On 3 August 2009, Villa agreed an undisclosed fee with Leeds United for the transfer of Delph to Villa Park.[30] The transfer was concluded the following day after Delph completed a medical and agreed personal terms.[31] On 8 August 2009, Delph made his debut in a friendly match against Fiorentina, which Aston Villa won 1–0.

Delph's full Premier League debut came at home against Wigan Athletic on 15 August 2009, the first day of the 2009–10 Premier League season. In a game that Villa lost 2–0, Delph received a yellow card and was replaced in the 61st minute by Steve Sidwell.[32] On 23 January 2010 Delph scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the FA Cup win at home against Brighton and Hove Albion.[33]

On 17 April 2010, Delph had to be carried away from training on a stretcher after picking up a "serious" knee injury. He was immediately taken for tests on the injury.[34] It was later revealed on 19 April 2010 that Delph had suffered a cruciate ligament injury, set to keep him out of action for up to eight months.[35]

Delph returned to action on 26 February 2011, in a Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers, when he came on as a impromptu left-back after Nathan Baker was injured in the first half.

On 3 March 2011, Delph signed a new deal with Aston Villa keeping him at the club until 2015.[36]

Personal life

When Delph played for Leeds United he lived in Tadcaster. On 23 December 2008, he was arrested by police and charged for drink driving in Rothwell, Leeds, while driving home with four friends.[37] He pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates' Court to the charge of driving whilst over the limit; he was fined £1400, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £60.[38]

Honours

Club

Aston Villa

Personal

Football League Awards

PFA Awards

Club Awards

Other

References

  1. ^ "Search 1984 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.com/post84BMDSearchStart.action?redef=0&searchType=B. Retrieved 2010-03-26. 
  2. ^ a b "Fabian Delph". Leeds United A.F.C.. http://www.leedsunited.com/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10273~39837,00.html. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  3. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~39837,00.html. Retrieved 11March 2011. 
  4. ^ "Squad Numbers 2009–10". Aston Villa F.C.. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1750551,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-11. 
  5. ^ Leeds United The Next Chapter: Official Handbook 2008/09. Leeds United. 2008. 
  6. ^ "Youth team provide conveyor-belt of talent". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2008-02-11. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2034944.0.0.php. Retrieved 2008-05-11. 
  7. ^ Parker, Simon (2008-09-15). "City can cash in on Delph progress". Telegraph & Argus. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/3674693.City_can_cash_in_on_Delph_progress/. Retrieved 2008-09-15. 
  8. ^ Colman, Jon (2009-01-07). "Fab Leeds wonderkid set to take on Carlisle United". News & Star. http://www.news-and-star.co.uk/carlisle_united/latest/1.339259. Retrieved 2009-01-16. 
  9. ^ "Tomkins at the double". The Football Association. 2008-03-25. http://www.thefa.com/England/U19s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/U19s_report_russia.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-11. 
  10. ^ "Games played by Fabian Delph in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?seasonid=136&playerid=46509. Retrieved 2008-11-12. 
  11. ^ "Games played by Fabian Delph in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?seasonid=137&playerid=46509. Retrieved 2008-11-12. 
  12. ^ "Fab's Chance". Leeds United A.F.C.. 2008-07-31. http://www.leedsunited.com/news/fabs-chance-20080731_2247585_1355172. Retrieved 2009-07-13. 
  13. ^ "The future's Fab". Leeds United. 2008-09-05. http://www.leedsunited.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10273~1385610,00.html. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
  14. ^ "Leeds 5–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. 2008-09-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7588595.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
  15. ^ "Leeds 3–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 2008-10-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7674531.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-25. 
  16. ^ "Paper talk". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_2920077,00.html. Retrieved 2008-10-26. 
  17. ^ "Leeds reject Newcastle bid for midfield maestro Fabian Delph as Arsenal continue to circle". London: Daily Mail. 2008-11-04. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1082885/Leeds-reject-Newcastle-bid-midfield-maestro-Fabian-Delph-Arsenal-continue-circle.html. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 
  18. ^ "England call for Blades' Naughton". BBC Sport. 2008-11-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7722664.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-11. 
  19. ^ "England U21 2–0 Czech Rep U21". BBC Sport. 2008-11-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7736671.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
  20. ^ "Leeds reject approaches for Delph". BBC Sport. 2009-01-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7833086.stm. Retrieved 2009-01-16. 
  21. ^ "Delph strike adds to growing worth". Telegraph & Argus. 2009-01-18. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/football/footballleeds/4056468.Delph_strike_adds_to_growing_worth/. Retrieved 2009-01-18. 
  22. ^ Sutcliffe, Richard (2009-02-02). "Leeds hold on to star and make double signing". Yorkshire Post. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/leeds/Leeds-hold-on-to-star.4937760.jp. Retrieved 2009-02-02. 
  23. ^ "Ebanks-Blake scoops League honour". BBC Sport. 2009-03-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7971194.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-30. 
  24. ^ Beckford and Delph win top awards, BBC Football, 15 April 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009
  25. ^ "Leeds United 1 Millwall 1: Match report". The Daily Telegraph (London). 14 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-one/5325188/Leeds-United-1-Millwall-1-Agg-1-2-Match-report.html. 
  26. ^ Leeds Deny Delph Link to Everton, BBC Football, 10 June 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009
  27. ^ Man City Move for Leeds Teenager, BBC Football, 1 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009
  28. ^ No Bids for Star Duo – Grayson, Sky Sports, 8 July 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009
  29. ^ Redknapp Hails Delph, Sky Sports, 26 July 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009
  30. ^ "Fabian Delph: Club Statement". Leeds United. 2009-08-03. http://www.leedsunited.com/news/fabian-delph-club-statement-20090803_2247585_1742285. Retrieved 2009-08-03. 
  31. ^ http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10265~1743439,00.html
  32. ^ "Aston Villa 0–2 Wigan". BBC News. 2009-08-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8197493.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  33. ^ Vesty, Marc (23 January 2010). "Aston Villa 3–2 Brighton". BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8468450.stm. Retrieved 24 January 2010. 
  34. ^ http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/FootballNewsDetail/0,,10265~2028597,00.html
  35. ^ "Delph out for eight months". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6104145,00.html. 
  36. ^ http://liquidfootball.co.uk/2011/03/03/fabian-delph-seals-new-villa-contract/
  37. ^ "Footballer in drink drive charge". BBC News. 2008-12-29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7803336.stm. Retrieved 2008-12-29. 
  38. ^ Robinson, Stuart (2009-01-27). "Leeds United star banned for drink driving". Yorkshire Evening Post. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/VIDEO-Leeds-United-star-banned.4916199.jp. Retrieved 2009-01-28. 

External links