PLAYER PROFILE

Paul Robinson

Position: Goal

Height: 6'4

Weight: 14st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1979-10-15 Beverley, England

Paul Robinson

For Leeds United the 2002/03 season was a major disappointment. For 23-year-old goalkeeper Paul Robinson however, it was a major success and a season which saw him firmly establish himself as a regular first team player, as well as receive a call-up from Sven Goran Eriksson to make his international debut against Portugal at Villa Park.

Leeds’ season had little highs but the 1-0 victory over rivals Manchester United will stick out in the memory of all Leeds fans and Robinson more than played his part, proving inspirational between the posts and preventing Premier League top goal scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy from adding to his tally.

Robinson was part of the class of '97 team that won the FA Youth Cup, but for seasons he had been forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as his teammates went on to become first team regulars. But with Nigel Martyn spending more and more time on the treatment table, Robinson got the opportunity to break into the first eleven and he successfully rose to the challenge.

Making 50 appearances for Leeds and collecting two international caps along the way, this has been an important season for the young international. It is no surprise then that there has been much transfer speculation about the youngster with sides such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa all closely following his progress.

A deal with Villa was on the cards during the summer of 2003, which would have seen Robinson reunited with old manager David O’Leary for an estimated fee of around £3.25million. Robinson however failed to agree personal terms and vowed not to become another player involved in the Leeds exodus. He then stated "I am very happy at Leeds and I am happy to stay at the club."

However, in the January 2004 transfer window, he came very close to signing for Tottenham Hotspur, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. After Leeds were relegated at the end of the season, his departure became inevitable and Spurs announced in May that they would sign him for £2m.

His first season in the white of Spurs proved to be hugely successful. He made 44 apperances between the stick for manager Martin Jol and kept 14 clean sheets.

He also made a huge breakthrough into the England set-up. Thanks to his strong performances for Tottenham Hotspur, he became a regular for Sven-Goran Eriksson, making 7 appearances as England qualified for the 2006 World Cup.

This fine form continued into the 2005/06 campaign as Robinson became number one keeper for both England and Tottenham Hotspur. The only disappointment in an otherwise superb season came during the World Cup where Robinson, like the rest of the England side, underperformed.

Further international trouble came during a Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia when a Gary Neville backpass bounced awkwardly just in front of Robinson's foot and headed into the net.

Robinson was blamed for the error, but it didn't stop him performing brilliantly for his club, and even scoring from just outside his area in a league match against Watford.