PLAYER PROFILE

Leighton Baines

Position: Defence

Height: 5'8

Weight: 11st 10lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-12-11 Liverpool, England

Leighton Baines

Young left-back Leighton Baines was a huge success at Wigan after making his debut back in 2002. In 2003/04, he became a first team regular and was named the club's Young Player of the Year.

He continued to thrive in their promotion season, scoring a scorching goal against Ipswich in December 2004, and became an integral part of the side in the 05/06 season, making 43 appearances and staking his claim to a regular role in the England Under-21 squad.

He continued this fine form in 2006/07 as he scored three goals in 38 games, and this, plus his performances in the Under-21 European Championships led to Everton signing him in August 2007.

His first season at Goodison Park, however, was unsuccessful as he suffered with injury and struggled to find a way into the team.