Lee Cattermole Bio Send To Friend  

Cattermole is a young, combative midfielder who has impressed in his top-flight career in the heart of midfield and moved to Sunderland in August 2009.

A vastly experienced England youth international, and another product of the hugely impressive Middlesbrough Academy, Cattermole was thrust into the Middlesbrough first team in the 2005-06 season.

He was handed his debut in December 2005 in the club's final UEFA Cup group game with qualification assured and Boro's injury problems led to him winning his full debut on January 2 when he played the whole of the Tyne-Tees derby.

Opportunities continued for Cattermole during the 2006-07 season and he won praise for his ability to run with the ball at pace, as well as his uncompromising style.

However, with new signings arriving at the club in 2007-08, a £3.5m bid for the midfielder from Wigan was accepted and he moved to the JJB.

Impressing under manager Steve Bruce, Cattermole did well in 2008-09 and began to attract attention from major clubs, including Liverpool. However, even after a strong denial from Wigan chairman Dave Whelan that the player would be leaving, he joined Bruce at Sunderland in the summer for an initial fee of £6m.