Zat Knight Bio Send To Friend  

The central defender was originally a youth at West Bromwich Albion, but he was discarded by the Midlands club only to be spotted by Benfica who offered him a trial and subsequently a two-year contract. Meanwhile, Fulham also spotted his talents and snapped him up on a free.

His first taste of League football came in a three-month loan spell with Third Division side Peterborough United in February 2000 and he then made an accomplished debut for Fulham in a 4-1 Worthington Cup victory against Northampton in September 2000.

With a call-up to the England squad in 2005, Knight began to improve.

The 2006-07 saw that improvement continue, with many believing that he was the best player of a pretty poor season for Fulham. With a broken jaw, Knight sat out the last part of the 2006-07 season and chose to leave the club after eight years in the summer.

Villa came calling and the £3.5m transfer allowed Knight to join the club he had supported as a boy.

He scored on his debut against Chelsea and has established himself as an important member of the Villa defence.

But Knight spent just two seasons at Villa as Curtis Davies overtook him in the pecking order. He signed for Bolton having played a total of 54 games for Villa.