Leighton Baines Profile

Born:	11/12/1984
Nationality:	English
Height:	1.70m
Weight:	69.9kg
Birthplace:	Kirkby, Liverpool
Position:	Defender

Sponsored by

Advance Glass
0151 427 3979

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.

Previous Clubs: