Liam Ridgewell

Liam Ridgewell is a defender, born on 21 July 1984 in Bexleyheath, England.

In 1999 Liam joined the West Ham academy and spent two years there till 2001, when he moved to Aston Villa and trained there during some time, preparing for his professional début.

The same year Ridgewell signed his first professional contract and performed for ‘The Villans’ for six years, being a reserve player who periodically came on the field in the starting XI. In 2002 Liam was sent on a season long loan to A.F.C. Bournemouth, where he took part in five matches and returned to Aston Villa after the end of the spell. From 2002 till 2007, Ridgewell made 79 appearances and scored seven goals for the native club.

In 2007 Birmingham City took an interest in Liam and made an official inquiry concerning his availability. The club received a positive answer and got down to negotiations, making a tempting offer both to Aston Villa and the footballer himself. In the summer 2007, Ridgewell officially became a player of the Birmingham side team and performed for it during four years and a half, kicking eight goals in 152 matches.

The defender’s reliability and workmanship attracted the attention of various English middle-class clubs. West Bromwich decided to secure the services of Liam and actively entered negotiations. In January 2012 two clubs agreed on terms and the deal was finalized. Having made 78 appearances for The Baggies, Ridgewell moved to USA to join Portland Timbers in 2014.

From 2002 till 2005, Liam was capped nine times and got on the international scoresheet by contributing one goal for the England national U-19 and U-21 squads.