Leighton Baines Bio Send To Friend  

Baines joined Everton for the start of the 2007/08 season after Wigan accepted a £5 million fee, with another £1m in add-ons, for their left-back.

The defender signed a five-year deal with the Toffees and his transfer represented something of a home coming, having been on the Toffees' books as a teenager.

In the end the highly rated young defender came through the ranks at Wigan Athletic.

The England Under-21 international is a solid defender who looks to support the winger in front of him and did this to great effect for his country when he played in all England's games in the 2007 European under 21 Championships.

He broke into the Latics' first team in October 2002, making his debut, aged 17, in a 3-1 League Cup win a home to West Bromwich Albion.

The left-back forced his way into the starting line-up ahead of Stephen McMillan in 2003/04. His performances that term landed him the Young Player of the Year award.

Baines progress continued in 2004/05 as he was called up to the England Under-21 squad in September, making his bow against Austria.

The player's first goal for the club was an absolute belter, a 30-yard rocket in a vital promotion tussle with Ipswich Town.

Baines was a vital player for the Latics in the Premier League. However, his success brought a number of suitors and he left the club having made over 150th appearances for the Latics.

Injury disrupted the start of his Everton career and Baines missed the first few games of the 2007/08 season. He returned to share left-back duties with Joleon Lescott and Nuno Valente and ended the season with 17 starts and 12 substitute appearances.