Shay Given Bio Send To Friend  

Given left Newcastle United in 2009 after almost 12 years, having become disillusioned with the direction the club was taking to join Manchester City.

In his time on Tyneside, the Irishman carved out a reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League who rarely made a mistake and could always be relied upon. Ultimately it was City who eventually captured his signature before the January window closed for an undisclosed fee.

He began his professional career north of the border with Celtic but, unable to break into the first team, moved to Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in 1994. With Tim Flowers firmly entrenched as the number one, Given had to go out on loan to make his Football League bow with Swindon Town. He also had a loan spell with Newcastle's arch rivals Sunderland.

Ironically, Given's only winners' medal came during the spell with Sunderland as they won Division One; but the stopper joined the Magpies in the summer of 1997 for £1.5m.

A good shot-stopper and confident at claiming crosses, he played in the Toon Army's disappointing 1997-98 FA Cup final defeat after making his debut for the club in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at St James' Park.

Given travelled to the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and Korea with the Republic of Ireland and continued his fine form as Mick McCarthy's side reached the second round before going out on penalties to Spain.

From then on Given was Newcastle's undisputed number one goalkeeper, turning in top performances for both club and country.

His 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons were both hit by injury - a horrible tear in his bowel after an accidental collison with Marlon Harewood in September 2006 saw him miss two months and then the requirement of a groin operation saw his season ended in February 2008.

Given returned to again be a hugely impressive figure between the sticks at St James's Park until he made it clear he saw his future lay elsewhere - and the Magpies were promptly relegated. One of the best 'keepers in the League, he didn't take long to impress for Man City and has the respect of everyone in the game.