Craig Gardner

Craig Gardner (2008)

Craig Gardner ( born November 25, 1986 in Solihull ) is an English football player who is under contract at Sunderland AFC since 2011.

Club career

Aston Villa

Gardner began his career in the youth team of Aston Villa. On 31 January 2005, the midfielder signed his first professional contract with Aston Villa. He made his debut on 26 December 2005 at Villa Park against Everton. Gardner's first competitive goal he scored against FC Middlesbrough in April 2006. Already in August 2007, he extended his contract with the " Villans " until June 2011 and a year later again until 2012. In 2007, he joined both the English U-21 National player as well as a free kick specialist in October in appearance. Due to temporary injury problems in defense of Aston Villa denied Gardner a series of games as a right -back.

Birmingham City

On January 26, 2010 Birmingham City announced the purchase of the midfielder known, the transfer fee was around £ 3 million. After relegation in the Premier League 2009/10 Gardner rose with his team in the 2010/11 season from the Premier League from. In return, the club secured the title in the Carling Cup with a 2-1 final win over Arsenal.

Sunderland AFC

On 30 June 2011, the Sunderland AFC has announced the signing of Craig Gardner. The transfer fee was £ 6m.

National

As an English U -21 player, he was part of the team that took second place at the European Championship 2009 in Sweden and lost the final of the German Nachwuchself 0:4 - he came off the bench in the final minute only in the 79th for Martin Cranie.