Leighton Baines. Biography
Leighton John Baines is a left full back of Everton and the Three Lions. He was born and grew up in Liverpool.
Leighton began his career in the Liverpool football academy, but soon moved to the deadly rivals of ‘The Reds’ Everton, where he continued his training. However, the footballer failed to clinch the place in ‘The Toffees’ main team and went to then Second Division side club Wigan Athletic. During two seasons Baines and his ‘Latics’ teammates made a turbulent career as the club first gained the promotion to the Championship and later to the Premier League. The back made 145 appearances for Wigan and scored four goals.
In July 2007 Leighton returned to Everton, this time as a rather famous footballer. ‘The Toffees’ had to pay about £5 million to get their former trainee back. Baines said he always wanted to play for ‘The Blues’ despite spending his youth in the Liverpool academy.
In 2007/2008 the full back periodically performed for Everton, taking part in 29 matches in all tournaments. However, the footballer managed to become a solid regular of ‘The Toffees’ main squad in 2008/2009. Leighton’s first goal for the Merseyside club came in the match against Portsmouth on 21 March 2009.
In September 2010 the footballer extended his contract with Everton till the summer 2015. Baines’s career was in full bloom in the 2010/2011 season as he played all matches of his team from the first to the last minute, was chosen the Everton Footballer of the Year both by fans and teammates and his goal was voted the Goal of the Season. ‘The Toffees’ took 7th place in the Premier League that year.
Leighton showed a very high level of play in the 2011/2012 season as well. He made 33 league appearances and went on to net four times. His club took 7th place in the league like in the previous year, but made its way through to the FA Cup semifinals where lost to Liverpool. At the end of the season the back was included in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2012.
From 2004 till 2007 Baines was capped for the England national U-21 team, took part in 16 games and contributed one goal. In March 2009 he received his first call-up to the senior squad. However, his main national team début came only a year later, on 3 March 2010. Then Leighton played in the friendly match against Egypt. Later the footballer was included in the provisional national squad of 30 players for the 2010 World Cup, but he eventually failed to take the place in the final 23-men roster.
On 4 June 2011, the player of Everton made his international début for the England national team in the official tournaments, when he came on the pitch as a substitute for Ashley Cole in the 31st minute of Euro 2012 qualifying match against Switzerland. The Swiss footballers managed to put the ball in the back of Joe Hart’s net two times, but their English rivals brought the game to a 2-2 draw.
On 16 May 2012, Roy Hodgson selected Baines in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2012. However, he did not take part in any matches during the tournament, giving his place in the team to Ashley Cole.
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