Profile Football Stars: Mar 5, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

Jermain Defoe

Profile Football Stars | Jermain Defoe | Defoe made his England debut in 2004 and as of March 2011, has made 46 appearances, scoring 15 goals. Defoe is Widely Considered as one of the most clinical finishers in the England, with an exceptional scoring rate, ESPECIALLY in cup competitions, scoring 38 goals in 59 games. Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer plays as a striker WHO for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football began his career team. Defoe with Charlton Athletic, joining Their youth team at age fourteen, before moving to West Ham United aged sixteen, and rising through the ranks.

Defoe joined Tottenham in January 2004 for an initial fee of £ 6 million, rising to £ 7 million depending on "specific performance criteria", and with Bobby Zamora joining West Ham. Defoe marked his arrival at Tottenham with a goal on his debut in the 4-3 home win over Portsmouth in February 2004 and added a further six in the remainder of the 2003-04 season, scoring seven goals in 15 matches. He then scored 13 goals in 36 matches in the Premier League, Including a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Southampton in December 2004, and nine goals in eight games in the FA Cup and League Cup, in the 2004-05 season . The Following season was not as profitable for Defoe and Spurs manager Martin Jol used Defoe in rotation with Robbie Keane and Mido Providing the competition for a starting position; Defoe started 23 times and CAME on as substitute 13 times, scoring nine goals

During January 2009, Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie Revealed Jermain Defoe's intentions to leave the club in the near future. Defoe was confirmed as a Tottenham player by his new club on 9 January 2009. In pre-season Defoe scored two goals, one coming in a 3-0 win against Orlando Pirates on 23 July, and the other in a 2-1 win against Athletic Bilbao at White Hart Lane on 6 August. Defoe started the season by scoring in a 5-0 win against Hearts in a Europa League play-off game on 18 August. His first Premier League goal of the season CAME on in a 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring the second goal after exchanging passes with Niko Kranjcar. His next goal CAME in the Europa League group stage game at home to Shamrock Rovers. His first goal in October CAME on the 16th away to Newcastle United, Tottenham's second scoring in a 2-2 draw. On 6 November he scored his third Premier League goal of the season in a 3-1 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. He then scored in two consecutive matches against West Brom and Bolton Wanderers.

Defoe's form for Bournemouth in the 2000-01 season saw him selected for the England U21s team to play Mexico U21s in May 2001, and he marked his debut with the second goal as England U21s won 3-0. He went on to gain 23 caps for England U21s, scoring seven goals. England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson singled out Defoe's display for praise in an otherwise poor performance by England, saying, Jermain Defoe did very well - I liked what I saw. Defoe was called up to the England squad to face Wales on March 26, 2011.

Personal informationFull name Colin Jermain Defoe
Date of birth 7 October 1982 (age 29)
Place of birth Beckton, London, England
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position Striker

Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 18

Youth career
1997-1999 Charlton Athletic
1999 West Ham United

Senior career
years Team
1999-2004 West Ham United 93 (29)
2000-2001 Bournemouth (loan) 29 (18)
Tottenham Hotspur 2004-2008 139 (43)
2008 Portsmouth (loan) 1 (1)
2008-2009 Portsmouth 30 (14)
2009 - Tottenham Hotspur 82 (34)

National team
2001-2003 England U21 23 (7)
2004 - England 46 (15)

Honours

Individual
Barclays Player of the Month (August 2009)
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Moment Of The Year': 2009-10

(for his 5 goals vs Wigan Athletic.)

Rafael van der Vaart

Profile Football Stars | Rafael van der Vaart | Van der Vaart began his career at AFC Ajax 'famous youth academy and worked his way into the first team, debuting as a 17-year-old. Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer WHO plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. Van der Vaart is well known for his passing, deadly finishing and the capacity to use both feet well. Following his performances in the Premier League in the 2010-11 season with Tottenham Hotspur, van der Vaart was nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, along with team-mate and eventual winner, Gareth Bale.

Van der Vaart was born in Heemskerk to a Dutch father and a Spanish mother from Chiclana de la Frontera, Cadiz. Before joining AFC Ajax, he played for a local club called De Kennemers based in Beverwijk. Van der Vaart has said of his upbringing, "That was the way my family lived. Van der Vaart CAME through the ranks at Ajax with national teammates John Heitinga and Wesley Sneijder. At the age of 17, Van der Vaart made his debut for the senior side Ajax in a 1-1 draw with FC Den Bosch on 19 April 2000 in the 1999-00 season. Van der Vaart's € 5.5 million transfer to Hamburg, on 1 June 2005, raised many eyebrows. Van der Vaart finished his first season as the team's top scorer as Hamburg finished third in the league and won the 2005 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Towards the end of the 2007-08 season, Van der Vaart was linked to a move to Atlético Madrid Including Several clubs and Juventus. Van der Vaart was handed his original jersey number 23 while Granero was given number 24. After a wait of four games, Van der Vaart was finally included in Pellegrini's squad list to face Villarreal CF on 23 September. An injury to Kaká gave Van der Vaart a chance to Establish Himself as a key player for Los Blancos again. Van der Vaart Stated his desire to stay at Real Madrid, at least until the end of his contract.

On 31 August 2010, two hours before the transfer window closed, Tottenham Hotspur made an offer of £ 8 million for Van der Vaart. Van der Vaart scored his first two Premier League goals of the season against Wigan Athletic and Arsenal. Van der Vaart scored a penalty away against Newcastle United on 16 October to keep up a good run of goal scoring form and also scored twice in the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. Rafael van der Vaart gained the notice of the youth team coaches and was called up for the youth squads. The 18-year-old Van der Vaart then made his senior international debut against Andorra on 6 October 2001.

Personal information
Full name Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart
Date of birth 11 February 1983 (age 29)
Place of birth Heemskerk, Netherlands
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder

Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 11

Youth career
Ajax 1993-2000

Senior career
years Team
Ajax 2000-2005 117 (52)
2005-2008 Hamburger SV 74 (29)
2008-2010 Real Madrid 58 (11)
2010 - Tottenham Hotspur 50 (20)

National team
1998-1999 Netherlands U17 13 (5)
1999-2000 Netherlands U19 8 (2)
2000-2001 Netherlands U21 4 (2)
2001 - The Netherlands 93 (17)

Honours

Club
AFC Ajax
     Eredivisie (2): 2001-02, 2003-04
     KNVB Cup (1): 2001-02
     Johan Cruijff-Schaal (1): 2002

Hamburger SV
     UEFA Intertoto Cup (2): 2005, 2007

Real Madrid CF
     Supercopa de España (1): 2008

Netherlands
     FIFA World Cup Runners-Up: 2010

Individual
     Ajax Talent of the Year: 1999, 2000, 2001
     Amsterdam Talent of the Year: 2000
     Amsterdam Sportsman of the Year: 2001
     Amsterdam Tournament Most Valuable Player: 2001
     Johan Cruijff Award: 2001
     European Talent of the Year: 2002
     Golden Boy Award: 2003
     Ballon d'Or: 2008 - nominated (top 30)
     Premier League Player of the Month (1): October 2010.

Aaron Lennon

Profile Football Stars | Aaron Lennon | In 2001, Lennon Became a member of the Leeds United Academy. Lennon scored his only goal for Leeds against Sunderland on Boxing Day 2004 during a 3-2 win. With Leeds' financial problems Lennon was sold to Spurs for a Heavily reduced fee, with a sell on clause inserted into the deal. With Leeds financial Suffering Difficulties, Lennon made a £ 1 million move to Tottenham Hotspur on 15 June 2005. On 18 March 2006, Lennon scored his first Premier League goal in Tottenham's 2-0 victory over Birmingham City at St. Andrew's. Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer WHO plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team. Lennon is mixed race coming from a Jamaican father and English / Irish mother. He has one older brother and a younger sister and brother.

He was nominated by fellow Premiership players for the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2005-06 season, and subsequently again in the 2006-07 season. Lennon signed a new 5 ½-year deal with Tottenham on 8 January 2007, the which will keep him at the club until 2012. The award was awarded to Aston Villa Ultimately's Ashley Young. Lennon also won both the Tottenham Hotspur 'Player of the Season' and the 'Young Player of the Season' award in the 2008-09 season.

The winger was named the supporters' Player of the Season for 2008-09. Aaron also scored five goals during the campaign. On 24 October 2009, Lennon was injured in a match against Stoke City, Tottenham were consequently reduced to ten men as manager Harry Redknapp had used all three substitutes available. On 18 August 2011 Lennon scored in a 5-0 win against Hearts in a Europa League play-offs. He scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage. On December he scored his second goal of the season in a 3-0 win against Bolton at White Hart Lane.

Lennon was called up to the England Under-21 team team for the first time in October 2005 and on 8 May 2006, he was picked in England's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, Despite being only 19 years of age and uncapped at senior level. He was named Man of the match in the England B match with Belarus on 25 May 2006 in England's World Cup warm-up match at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England Ultimately the which B lost 2-1. Lennon CAME on as a substitute for England in their second group stage game of World Cup 2006 (his first World Cup finals appearance) against Trinidad and Tobago. Following his England scored twice and Wayne Rooney's arrival on the field, winning the game 2-0.

Lennon then played in the quarter-final match against Portugal, coming on as a substitute for the injured David Beckham. Lennon was then substituted for Jamie Carragher Himself Immediately prior to a penalty shootout, in the which England lost. Lennon started again for England when They played Ukraine on 1 April 2009 at Wembley Stadium, although Lennon was substituted in both games for Beckham. Lennon made it into the final 23-man squad with England for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Lennon started for England in the opening two fixtures in England's World Cup campaign; in the 1-1 Between the USA and in the 0 - 0 draw with Algeria.

Personal information
Full name Aaron Justin Lennon
Date of birth 16 April 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth Chapeltown, Leeds, England
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Playing position Winger

Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 7

Youth career
2001-2003 Leeds United

Senior career
years Team
2003-2005 Leeds United 38 (1)
2005 - Tottenham Hotspur 186 (21)

National team
England U-21 2005-2008 5 (0)
2006-2007 England B 2 (0)
2006 - England 19 (0)

Honours

Club
Tottenham Hotspur
     League Cup:
         Winner (1): 2008
         Runner-up (1): 2009

Individual
     Leeds United's 'Young Player Of The Year': 2004-05
     PFA Fans' Player of the Month: March 2009
     Tottenham Hotspur 'Player Of The Year': 2008-09
     Tottenham Hotspur 'Young Player Of The Year': 2005-06, 2008-09
     Tottenham Hotspur 'Moment Of The Year': 2008-09
     PFA Young Player of the Year (nominated): 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09.

Hatem Ben Arfa

Profile Football Stars | Hatem Ben Arfa | Ben Arfa started his career throughout Various clubs in the Île-de-France region, having Trained at AC Boulogne-Billancourt and Versailles. Hatem Ben Arfa is a French association football player plays for English club WHO Newcastle United in the Premier League. Ben Arfa is a former French youth international having played at all levels. Ben Arfa was called up to the senior team for the first time in October 2007 for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against the Faroe Islands.

Ben Arfa was born in Clamart, a suburb of Paris Southwestern. His father is Kamel Ben Arfa, a former Tunisian international football player. Ben Arfa began training at ASV Châtenay-Malabry. In 1998, Ben Arfa moved to sporting club AC Boulogne-Billancourt. While training at Clairefontaine during the weekdays, Ben Arfa played for FC Versailles on the weekends

On 27 August 2010, Ben Arfa Agreed to personal terms with Newcastle and, the Following day, the club confirmed it had signed That Ben Arfa on a season-long loan. Ben Arfa spent most of his rehabilitation in his home city of Paris recuperating at the Clairefontaine academy. On 23 February, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew confirmed Ben Arfa That Could was running and return to the team in April. Ben Arfa returned to training with Newcastle on April 5.

He Ben Arfa Ultimately failed to the make any more appearances with the team in the 2010-11 season. After continuing his rehabilitation during the summer, ahead of the 2011-12 season, Ben Arfa began participating in friendly matches with the senior team. Ben Arfa ventured back to his home country to rehab the injury and returned to Newcastle on 18 September. Ben Arfa made his season debut in the match against Nottingham Forest Appearing as a substitute. On 7 January 2012, Ben Arfa scored Newcastle's opening goal in its FA Cup third round tie against Blackburn Rovers.

Ben Arfa was, however, omitted from Domenech's final 23-man Euro 2008 squad on 28 May. After going nearly two years without representing France internationally, on 5 August 2010, Ben Arfa was called up to the senior team by new manager Laurent Blanc for the team's friendly match against Norway on 11 August 2010. Ben Arfa made his return to the team in the match Appearing as a half-time substitute for Moussa Sissoko.

Personal information
Full name Hatem Ben Arfa
Date of birth 7 March 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth Clamart, France
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Winger

Club information
Current club Newcastle United
Number 10

Youth career
1994-1996 ASV Châtenay-Malabry
CF 92 1996-1998 Montrouge
1998-1999 AC Boulogne-Billancourt
INF Clairefontaine 1999-2002
2002-2004 Lyon

Senior career
years Team
2004-2008 Lyon 64 (7)
Marseille 2008-2011 63 (9)
2010-2011 Newcastle United (loan) 4 (1)
2011 - Newcastle United 14 (2)

National team
2002-2003 France U16 10 (7)
2003-2004 France U17 17 (11)
2005 France U18 4 (0)
2005-2006 France U19 6 (1)
2007 France U21 4 (0)
2007 - France 8 (2)

Honours

Club
Lyon
     Ligue 1 (4): 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08
     Coupe de France (1): 2007-08
     Trophée des champions (2): 2005-06, 2006-07

Marseille
     Ligue 1 (1): 2009-10
     Coupe de la Ligue (1): 2009-10

France
     UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship (1): 2004

Individual
     UNFP Young Player of the Year (1): 2007-08
     UNFP Player of the Month (1): February 2010