PLAYER PROFILE

Andrew Taylor

Position: Defence

Height: 5'10

Weight: 10st 12lbs

Date of Birth: 1986-08-01 Hartlepool, England

Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor is one of Middlesbrough's brightest young prospects, having gone from youth team star to first teamer in the 2005/06 season.

He started the season on loan at Bradford City, making 24 appearances before being recalled to Boro in early January as an injury-crisis severely limited Steve McClaren's options and forced him to pitch in the young players who had taken to the youth side to two consecutive FA Youth Cup finals in 2003 and 2004.

Taylor's first game after returning on loan was the 7-0 humiliation away at Arsenal, however, he bounced back from that to form an impressive partnership with Stweart Downing down the left for Middlesbrough, picking up plenty of first team experience in the process.

With Gareth Southgate keen to build future success around Middlesbrough's impressive crop of youngsters, Taylor enjoyed his best season yet in 2006/07 and played over 40 games. He is a vital part of the team's future.