Kevin Kilbane Bio Send To Friend  

The winger began his career with hometown club Preston North End, moving to West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 1997 for £1.5million.

He was a real favourite at the Hawthorns, and his performances were always going to earn a shot at the Premiership. In December 1999 he moved to Sunderland for £2.5million.

Kilbane became Sunderland's third biggest signing behind Stefan Schwarz and Lee Clark when he moved to the Stadium of Light. He was not a popular player among the Wearside faithful, although boss Peter Reid considered him an integral part of the first team squad.

A strong left-winger, he established himself in Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland plans. And Irish fans gave him the nickname 'Zinedine' Kilbane.

He travelled to World Cup in Korea and Japan and Kilbane featured in all four games Ireland went out on penalties to Spain in the second round. Unfortunately, Kilbane missed one of the spot kicks.

Kilbane, like all of the Sunderland squad, was poor as the Black Cats dropped out of the top fight with the worst record in Premiership history in the 2002/03 campaign.

It was thought he would stay to help the club earn promotion, especially with McCarthy now installed as the club's manager.

But as a high earner Sunderland were always likely to consider offers for the midfielder - and when Everton bid £750,000 for the player on deadline day in September 2003 the offer was too good to turn down. The fee could rise to £1million on appearances.

Kilbane was drawn to Everton by boss David Moyes - who he had worked with during his fledgling career at Preston - and signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park.

Kilbane spent three seasons with Everton before joining Wigan for £2million on transfer deadline day in August 2006.

He signed a three-year contract with the Latics, although his debut had to be delayed due to the red card he picked in his final Everton appearance, at Tottenham. That meant Kilbane eventually made his Wigan debut, coincidentally, in a 2-2 draw at Everton.

Kilbane played most of his second season in an unfamiliar left back role, but still managed to win Wiganer.net's Player of The Season Award.

He was a regular in the side the following season, however, in 2008/09 the emergence of Maynor Figueroa and the performances of Ryan Taylor meant Kilbane's future was not secure and he decided to join Hull in January 2009 as they strived to stay in the Premier League.