PLAYER PROFILE

Stephen Ireland

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'8

Weight: 10st 7lbs

Date of Birth: 1986-08-22 Cork, Republic Of Ireland

Stephen Ireland

Young Irish midfielder Stephen Ireland broke into the Manchester City first team in 2005/06, making 23 appearances and earning himself a new improved contract in the process.

He continued this progress in the 2006/07 season as he played over 30 games, scoring three goals along the way.

He was also called up to the Republic of Ireland squad, making him one of Manchester City's most exciting young players.

He cemented this reputation in 2007/08, and even scored a few goals as well. However, his campaign was overshadowed by controversy surrounding a shorts-dropping goal celebration, while his withdrawal from a national team squad in September 2007 due to the 'death' of his maternal grandmother (who had not died) caused outrage back home.

Ireland's international career may have ended with that incident, but in 2008/09 he found consistently impressive form at club level, rising about the likes of Robinho and Elano to be City's most important attacking player and scoring 13 goals in all competitions.