PLAYER PROFILE

Dean Leacock

Position: Defence

Height: 6'2

Weight: 12st 4lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-06-10 Croydon, England

Dean Leacock

Dean Leacock signed a professional contract with Fulham Football Club on 17 July 2002. The defender was given a man with a formidable reputation to live up to when he was compared to England defender Rio Ferdinand.

The centre-half was brought through the ranks of the Fulham Youth Academy and, when he signed his three-year deal with the Cottagers, Leacock was described in glowing terms by the Academy Director Steve Kean.

Kean hailed Leacock as a player who has the potential to reach the highest level.

He said: "Dean's a very commanding player who has made fantastic technical improvements over the last year. He's quick and we think he's got the potential to be a player comparable to Rio Ferdinand, so we're very excited about him.

"When you think about Rio at Dean's age, they're every similar in stature and pace. I would actually go as far as saying that Deano looks better on the ball at this age than Rio did.

"Obviously over the last 18 months Ferdinand has developed into a fantastic player. But hopefully with another 18 months under his belt, Dean can progress even further."

The idea with Leacock was to allow him to develop slowly but there was no guarantee that he would not be put into the first team during his first professional season if the need were to arise.

Kean said: "It depends on the opportunities he gets. Sometimes through injuries and suspensions, an opportunity can pop up.

"I think he wouldn't let anybody down if he got into the first team. Certainly the pace of games in the Premiership wouldn't catch him out.

"I think he probably needs a few more reserve games under his belt. Having said that, within a couple of months he should be champing at the bit."

Leacock was confident he could do well if given a chance in the first team after a year in which he came through Fulham's impressive run in the 2001-2002 FA Youth Cup.

His composure on the ball and superb passing range was evident as the Whites progressed through that season's competition. The defender was delighted at signing professional forms but talk of similarities between his game and that of Rio Ferdinand was met with a flattered response.

"I suppose I play a little bit like him, it's nice to hear people saying that but I think he's a much better player than me at the moment.

"But I definitely think that I've progressed at Fulham. I used to be a very relaxed and casual person, but the coaches here trained me to have a bit more bite in my game."

Leackock managed to make his full first team debut in the 2002/03 season Fulham’s league Cup tie with Wigan. The following season he played again against Wigan in the League Cup and made his Premiership debut in the 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers. Featuring just three more times for Fulham's senior side, he faced some still competition from German defender Moritz Volz.

He continues to be a part of the England youth set up and with the right coaching has the ability to grow into a fine Premiership defender.

In Sepetember 2004, Leacock joined Coventry on a month-long loan, which in October, was extended to the end of the season.

He was once more loaned out to City in 2005, and left Fulham once and for all in 2006 when he signed for Derby County.

He struggled with the Rams first of all, but went on to make over thirty appearances in 2006/07. He will need to be on top form in 07/08 to keep his side in the top flight.