Sol Campbell Bio Send To Friend  

Campbell sensationally returned to Arsenal in January 2010 after going on trial with the Gunners following his departure from Notts County.

Many suggested that the former England defender was too old to play in the Premier League, but Arsene Wenger took a punt on his old charge in a bid to add some experience to his backline.

One of the most dominant defenders in the game, Campbell is the only Englishman to have played at six consecutive international competitions, beginning at Euro '96 where won only his second cap coming on as a sub in the 2-0 win over Scotland. Strong showings at the World Cups in 1998 and 2002 and Euro 2004 underlined Campbell's standing as one the best defenders in the world, but assertions that he would make the squad for 2010 were surely wide of the mark.

Campbell began his career at Tottenham Hotspur and carved a deserved reputation as one of England's most commanding centre-halves, boasting impeccable tackling skills and huge strength on the ball. But, after eight years and 315 games with Spurs, he left White Hart Lane in the summer of 2001 to join deadly rivals Arsenal.

The move proved especially controversial as the defender became one of the first and most high-profile players in the English game to wait until the end of his contract and move on a Bosman free transfer, a decision which ensured Spurs got no transfer fee and allowed Campbell to negotiate a weekly wage reported to be over £100,000.

Although Campbell made a slow start to his Gunners career as the season progressed he regained his form and won the Premier League and FA Cup double. The defender really settled into his role at Highbury in the 2002-03 season, being described as a ''super rock'' by manager Arsene Wenger.

He was able to celebrate another Championship medal as Arsenal went through the whole 2003-04 Premiership season unbeaten. However, Campbell's distinguished club career took a dive as injuries and concerns over his private life affected his form. Looking off the pace in the 2005-06 season the situation came to a head in February 2006 in a league match at home to West Ham United.

The Gunners were 2-0 down at half-time, with Campbell badly at fault for both goals. He was substituted at half-time and immediately left the ground. The club later revealed his whereabouts were unknown for several days. When he finally returned, Campbell was no longer as commanding or strong, but he battled-back well during a long season, and scored in his last game for the Gunners (a Champions League final defeat against Barcelona).

Campbell intimated that he would be moving abroad, so it was a surprise to many when Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp secured his services at the start of the 2006-07; surprising too was his impressive return to top form.

After establishing a partnership with Linvoy Primus, and enjoying a good understanding with David James, Campbell marshalled a solid defence which helped Pompey finish ninth in the 2006-07 season. Better was to follow in the 2007-08 as Campbell was appointed Pompey skipper and went on to become the club's first captain to lift the FA Cup since 1939 following a 1-0 over Cardiff at Wembley.

The defender moved on a free when his contract in the summer and signed a five-year deal with Sven Goran Eriksson's project at League Two side Notts County. However, Campbell left after just one appearance and claimed that he had been misled over the ambitions of the world's oldest club.

Joining up with former side Arsenal in October 2009, he trained with the North Londoners before earning himself a contract for the rest of the 2009-10 season in the January transfer window.