Aaron Lennon

Aaron Lennon

Lennon playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2011
Personal information
Full nameAaron Justin Lennon[1]
Date of birth16 April 1987[1]
Place of birthLeeds, England
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[1]
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Everton
(on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
Number25
Youth career
2001–2003Leeds United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2005Leeds United38(1)
2005–Tottenham Hotspur267(26)
2015–→ Everton (loan)11(2)
National team‡
2003England U171(0)
2004–2006England U1915(0)
2005–2008England U215(0)
2006–2007England B2(0)
2006–England21(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of match played 26 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of match played 6 February 2013

Aaron Justin Lennon (born 16 April 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Everton, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national team.

He began his career at hometown club Leeds United making his debut in 2003 as the youngest player in the Premier League. In 2005, he moved to Tottenham for £1 million, where he has since made over 350 appearances across all competitions, winning the 2008 Football League Cup Final.

Lennon made his debut for England in 2006, and has been selected by England for two World Cups.

Early life

Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire,[1] Lennon is mixed race coming from an English Jamaican father and English Irish mother. He has one older brother and a younger sister and brother. He attended City of Leeds high school, but then attended Boston Spa School due to the fact that the school was closer to Thorp Arch (training ground) so it was easier for him to focus on both GCSEs and his football career.[2] He was first spotted by scouts when he was eight years old; his older brother Anthony played for Manchester United's youth team until he was involved in a car accident.[3]

Club career

Leeds United

In 2001, Lennon became a member of the Leeds United Academy. Two years later he began his professional career at Leeds United, where he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 129 days, coming off the bench at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 loss in August 2003.[4]

In 2001, he set a record as the youngest player ever to have his boots sponsored when he signed up with Adidas at the age of just 14. Lennon scored his only goal for Leeds against Sunderland on Boxing Day 2004 during a 3–2 win. Lennon had been a regular on the bench up until that point, but when John Oster was sacked Lennon took his place and never looked back and became a regular starter after that point. His pace and skills on the wing excited Leeds fans, and he was one of the star performers in Leeds' first season in the Championship under the management of Kevin Blackwell with his performances earning rave reviews.

His last involvement at Leeds was playing and scoring in Lucas Radebe's testimonial.[5] With Leeds' financial problems Lennon was sold to Spurs for a heavily reduced fee, with a sell on clause inserted into the deal.

Tottenham Hotspur

With Leeds suffering financial difficulties, Lennon made a £1 million move to Tottenham Hotspur on 15 June 2005.[6] His Spurs debut came a couple of months later in a 0-2 home defeat against Chelsea on 27 August 2005. On 18 March 2006, Lennon scored his first Premier League goal in Tottenham's 2–0 victory over Birmingham City at St. Andrew's.[7]

He was nominated by fellow Premiership players for the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2005–06 season, and subsequently again in the 2006–07 season. The awards ultimately went to Wayne Rooney, and to Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.

Lennon signed a new 5½-year deal with Tottenham on 8 January 2007.[8] He signed an improved deal in March 2009 which contracts him to Spurs until 2014.[9] For the third successive year, in the 2008–09 season, he was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year. The award was ultimately awarded to Aston Villa's Ashley Young. Lennon also won both the Tottenham Hotspur 'Player of the Season' and the 'Young Player of the Season' award in the 2008–09 season.

The winger was named the supporters' Player of the Season for 2008–09. He played in 47 games in all competitions, earning a new five-year contract with Tottenham in March 2009 as well as a recall to the England senior squad the same week. Lennon also scored five goals during the campaign. It was a season of transition for Spurs, whose manager Juande Ramos was sacked in late October after a poor start to the season to be replaced by Harry Redknapp, who steered them to a secure 8th-place finish and also to the final of the Football League Cup, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United after a goalless draw at Wembley. On 28 October 2008, Lennon scored a last gasp equaliser in a memorable clash against North London rivals Arsenal, which ended 4–4 and was Harry Redknapp's second game in charge.[10]

His goals early in the 2009–10 season – against West Ham at Boleyn Ground, and Birmingham City – kept Tottenham at the top of the league table, with four successive wins, their best start to a league season since the 1960–61 season.[11]

On 24 October 2009, Lennon was injured in a match against Stoke City. Tottenham were consequently reduced to ten men as manager Harry Redknapp had used all three available substitutes. However he returned on 22 November in a 9–1 victory against Wigan Athletic. He provided three assists and scored one goal. He was substituted in the 79th minute for David Bentley receiving a standing ovation from the fans at White Hart Lane.[12]

Lennon suffered a groin injury in December 2009, against West Ham United, which kept him out of the team during the first months of 2010 and in the run up to the 2010 World Cup. He made his return from the groin injury in a 3–1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 24 April.[13]

On 28 November 2010, he scored a last minute winner in a 2–1 victory against Liverpool at White Hart Lane after a Benoît Assou-Ekotto long ball.[14] On 15 February 2011, Lennon went on a blistering run as Tottenham counter-attacked and then delivered a perfect pass to assist Peter Crouch in a 1–0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro in the Round of 16 of the Champions league.[15]

Lennon playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2011

On 18 August 2011 Lennon scored in a 5–0 win against Hearts in a Europa League play-off.[16] He scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.[17] On December he scored his second goal of the season in a 3–0 win against Bolton at White Hart Lane.[18] His next goal came on 11 January 2012 in a 2–0 home win against Everton.[19] On 1 September 2012 he signed a 4-year deal keeping him at the club until 2016. Following that he was named captain, for the first time for Tottenham in their UEFA Europa League game against Lazio on 20 September 2012 which ended in a 0–0 draw.

On 29 December 2013, he scored his first goal of the 2013-14 season in a 3-0 win against Stoke City.[20]

Everton

On 2 February 2015, Lennon was loaned to fellow Premier League club Everton, for the remainder of the season.[21] He made his debut for Everton as a substitute in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool on 7 February.[22]

On 22 March 2015, Lennon scored his first goal for Everton in their 2–1 win against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.[23]

Lennon scored the second goal of his loan spell on 11 April 2015 when he collected a James McCarthy cross and finished against Swansea City in an eventual 1-1 draw. [24]

International career

Lennon was called up to the England U-21 team team for the first time in October 2005 and on 8 May 2006, he was picked in England's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, despite being only 19 years of age and uncapped at senior level.[25]

He was named Man of the match in the England B match with Belarus on 25 May 2006 in England's World Cup warm-up match at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, which ultimately England B lost 2–1. He made his full England debut as a second-half substitute in the 6–0 win over Jamaica on 2 June.

Lennon came on as a substitute for England in their second group stage game of World Cup 2006 (his first World Cup finals appearance) against Trinidad and Tobago. England scored twice following his and Wayne Rooney's arrival on the field, winning the game 2–0. Lennon then played in the quarter-final match against Portugal, coming on as a substitute for the injured Beckham. Lennon was then himself substituted for Jamie Carragher immediately prior to a penalty shootout, in which England lost.

Lennon also came on as a substitute against Andorra during a UEFA Euro qualifier and made an instant impact by assisting Peter Crouch's second goal after receiving the ball for the first time.

Lennon made his first start for England against Israel in a UEFA Euro qualifier on 24 March 2007 and four days later, he was again selected in the first XI against Andorra. This proved to be Lennon's last appearance for exactly two years as it wasn't until 28 March 2009 that he was selected again by England, starting in a friendly match with Slovakia at Wembley Stadium. Lennon started again for England when they played Ukraine on 1 April 2009 at Wembley Stadium, although Lennon was substituted in both games for Beckham.

He was called up for the friendly against Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier versus Croatia, following his fine form for Tottenham,[26] and was named Nationwide Man of the Match for the 5–1 win over Croatia.[27]

Lennon made it into the final 23-man squad with England for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[28] Lennon started for England in the opening two fixtures in England's World Cup campaign; in the 1–1 draw against the United States and in the 0–0 draw with Algeria.

Career statistics

Lennon playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2014

Club

As of match played 26 April 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leeds United 2003–04[29] FA Premier League 1101020—140
2004–05[30] Championship 2711010—291
Total 3812030—431
Tottenham Hotspur 2005–06[31] FA Premier League 2721010—292
2006–07[32] FA Premier League 26361308[lower-alpha 1]1435
2007–08[33] Premier League 29230619[lower-alpha 1]0473
2008–09[34] Premier League 35510506[lower-alpha 1]0475
2009–10[35] Premier League 2230020—243
2010–11[36] Premier League 343101010[lower-alpha 2]0463
2011–12[37] Premier League 23350004[lower-alpha 3]1324
2012–13[38] Premier League 344100011[lower-alpha 3]0464
2013–14[39] Premier League 27110104[lower-alpha 3]0331
2014–15[40] Premier League 9000205[lower-alpha 3]0160
Total 2672619121157236430
Everton (loan) 2014–15[40] Premier League 112———112
Career total 3162921124157241833
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 6 February 2013.[41]
International statistics
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 200670
200720
200960
201040
201210
201310
Total210

Honours

Tottenham Hotspur
Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 249. ISBN 9-781845-966010.
  2. ↑ "England Players Profiles – Aaron Lennon". Englandlayers.net. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  3. ↑ Mills, James (16 June 2006). "England's silent hero". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 16 June 2006.
  4. ↑ TheFA.COM – Aaron Lennon
  5. ↑ Soccer A.M. World (2005). "The Lucas Radebe Testimonial" SoccerAMWorld.com (accessed 31 August 2006)
  6. ↑ "Lennon leaves Leeds for Spurs". RTÉ Sport. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2005.
  7. ↑ "Birmingham 0–2 Tottenham". ESPN Soccernet. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2006.
  8. ↑ "Lennon signs long-term Spurs deal", BBC Sport, 8 January 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  9. ↑ "Lennon extends Spurs deal to 2014", The Guardian, 20 March 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  10. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 October 2008). "Arsenal 4–4 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  11. ↑ "Crouch – All up four grabs", Sky Sports, 31 August 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  12. ↑ "Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp hails 'fantastic' Aaron Lennon and 'outstanding' Jermain Defoe". Daily Mirror. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  13. ↑ Aaron Back in Training, THFC website07 April 2010, Retrieved 13 April 2010
  14. ↑ Aaron Lennon's late blast sees Tottenham sink Liverpool, The Guardian, November 2010, Retrieved 28 November 2010
  15. ↑ Lawton, Matt (15 February 2011). "AC Milan 0 Tottenham 1: Crouch is the San Siro hero as Harry's battlers win war". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  16. ↑ "Hearts 0–5 Tottenham" BBC Sport. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Fulham 1–3 Tottenham" BBC Sport. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Tottenham 3–0 Bolton" BBC Sport. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  19. ↑ "Tottenham 2–0 Everton" BBC Sport. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "Tottenham 3–0 Stoke" BBC Sport. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "Aaron Lennon: Everton sign Tottenham winger on loan". BBC Sport. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Lennon 'Buzzing' After Derby Debut". Everton Football Club. 8 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  23. ↑ "Everton sink relegation-bound QPR thanks to late Aaron Lennon goal". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  24. ↑ "Swansea City 1-1 Everton". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  25. ↑ Ingle, Sean (8 May 2006). "Eriksson gambles on Walcott". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 8 May 2006.
  26. ↑ "Capello recalls Crouch and Lennon". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  27. ↑ "Aaron Lennon has booked his World Cup place with Croatia display, says England captain John Terry". Daily Mail (London). 10 September 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  28. ↑ "England's World Cup squad". The Sun (London). 1 June 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Games played by Aaron Lennon in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  41. ↑ "Player Info: Aaron Justin Lennon". englandstats.com. Retrieved 7 December 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aaron Lennon.