Craig Gardner
Gardner playing for Sunderland in 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Craig Gardner | ||
| Date of birth | 25 November 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Solihull, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Central midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
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Current team
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| Number | 12 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2005 | Aston Villa | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2010 | Aston Villa | 59 | (5) |
| 2010–2011 | Birmingham City | 42 | (9) |
| 2011–2014 | Sunderland | 81 | (11) |
| 2014– | West Bromwich Albion | 78 | (6) |
| 2017– | → Birmingham City (loan) | 12 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2007–2009 | England U21 | 14 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 09:47, 19 March 2017 (UTC). |
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Craig Gardner (born 25 November 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Birmingham City on loan from West Bromwich Albion. A versatile midfielder, Gardner can play in many different positions, although central midfield is his preferred position. Gardner began his career at Aston Villa before spending the 2010–11 season with city rivals Birmingham City. After three seasons with Sunderland, he joined West Bromwich Albion in 2014.
Gardner came through Aston Villa's youth system and turned professional on 31 January 2005. Gardner made his Premier League debut on 26 December 2005, when he came on as a substitute for Steven Davis against Everton at Villa Park. He scored his first professional goal for Villa in the 3–1 away win on 14 April against Middlesbrough. He also netted a contender for goal of the month on the last day of the season away to Bolton Wanderers. After a series of appearances Villa Manager Martin O'Neill entered contract talks with Gardner.
In August 2007, Gardner signed a new four-year deal, which ran until June 2011. On 1 October 2007 he scored twice in two games with two free kicks. First he scored away to Tottenham Hotspur in a 4–4 draw and then the winner against West Ham United five days later with a deflected attempt.
On 1 December 2007, Gardner scored the opener in a home match against Arsenal. Villa went on to lose the match 2–1. Gardner has often played in the right-back slot, and impressed both his manager, Martin O'Neill, and captain, Gareth Barry, who said that Gardner could be a key player for years to come.
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