Joleon Lescott Bio Send To Friend  

It ended a summer long chase by City for the Everton defender. Their pursuit had angered Toffees boss David Moyes greatly who refused to do business, rejecting a transfer request from the player. But the saga came to a head, though, when Lescott was banished from the first team squad due to his attitude, which left Everton with no choice but to sell the England international to City.

A strong and dependable centre-back, Lescott rarely loses concentration or finds himself muscled off the ball and he was, at one time, regarded as one of the best central defenders in the Championship.

Lescott's stock rose at Goodison Park as he carved out a reputation as a goalscoring centre-back. England recognition followed and while it was always thought another club would come in for him, it took the millions of City to prise him away from Merseyside.

The defender began his career at Wolves and came through the youth ranks, graduating from the Centre of Excellence before earning a professional contract and the former England Under-21 international burst into the first team in the 2000-01 season.

He soon settled into the side with a number of strong and assured displays at the heart of the rearguard, and was named the Young Player of the Year that season and won it again in 2001-02.

Lescott was a rock as he helped the club into the Premier League for the 2003-04 season but injury disaster struck as a serious knee problem meant he didn't play a single game in the top flight.

After two impressive seasons back in the Championship the Premiership clubs were showing strong interest and Everton eventually moved in to complete his signature for £5.5m ahead of the 2006-07 campaign.

He proved an instant hit at Goodison and won the Players' Player of the Year accolade and was called up to the England 'B' squad under Steve McClaren. In October 2007, he made his England debut against Estonia.

Lescott scored 14 Premier League goals for Everton in three seasons, including eight in the 2007-08 campaign, proving his worth at both ends of the pitch. He has made himself a regular in Fabio Capello's England squads and a move to play with the superstars of City can only improve him as a defender.