Steven Caldwell

Steven Caldwell ( 2012)

Steven Caldwell (born 12 September 1980 in Stirling ) is a Scottish footballer who is mainly used in central defense. He is currently at the Canadian club Toronto FC under contract. His brother Gary is also a professional football player and plays with him in the Scottish national team.

Career

Association

Newcastle United

Caldwell began his career in the youth department of the Premier League representative Newcastle United. In summer 1998 he signed his first professional contract with the Magpies. His league debut for the club he gave on September 30, 2000 game against Manchester United. Later in the season, he came to a total of 10 inserts ( of which 4 as a substitute ). His first and only league goal for Newcastle he also scored in his first professional season, in their 4-3 League Cup win over his future employer Bradford City in November 2000. During the next years followed by a series of lending to the young Scot further match practice to grant. In October 2001 it was agreed with the then third division side FC Blackpool on a limited one month Kurzleihe. After his return to the Magpies he was loaned in December the same year from the second division Bradford City for a month, because it wanted to arm themselves due to acute injury problems on staff shortages in the defensive area. In the new year of the contract in Bradford has been extended for another month.

After his return to Newcastle he came in the 2002/03 season to a total of 17 appearances. This included even two Champions League games against Inter Milan and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. In January 2004, he was awarded to the acute relegation-threatened Premier League rivals Leeds United, where he, however, the descent into the second division could not prevent.

Sunderland AFC

After his return to the Magpies, he was released in summer 2004, after which obliged him the then second-rate Sunderland AFC. There he formed with his fellow central defender Gary Breen a solid defensive line through the Black Cats won the Football League Championship in season 2004/ 05 and thus returned to the Premier League. In the following season he was already retired at the beginning of the season a severe knee injury that put him out of action for a long time. After he had fully recovered, but he had his place in the team no longer safe and has been used in the course of time, becoming increasingly rare. In addition, after a season in the top division already follow the direct re- descent.

Burnley FC

For this reason, he asked in the winter of 2007, the club's management to be allowed to leave the club, so that the second division side Burnley FC was able to secure his services with a three-year contract. In the team, he was appointed captain and completed in the next three years, over 100 games for the club. In the 2008 /09 season he made with the team to promotion to the Premier League. Since in the following season, however, the direct re- descent followed and personnel austerity measures were needed to be expiring contract has been extended.

Wigan Athletic

After he had temporarily held fit for the Bolton Wanderers and had refused offers of Preston North End and Portsmouth, he finally committed Wigan Athletic in August 2010 for one year. There he played now, together, as in the early years in Newcastle, with his brother Gary. His debut for his new club he was in the second round of the League Cup in a 3-0 win over Hartlepool United. However, in the course of the season, Caldwell could not prevail and only came on 10 League Appearances for the Latics, so that his expiring contract was not renewed in June 2011.

Birmingham City

That's why he agreed in July 2011 with the Premier League relegated Birmingham City on a one year contract. His debut for the club he gave on August 6, 2011 in the 1-2 home defeat against Derby County. During the season, Caldwell cemented his place in the blues.

National

His debut for the U -21 gave Caldwell on 28 March 2009 against France, after which a further application against the Netherlands followed. In April 2005, he finally came to his first game for the national team of his country, in a 1-1 friendly against Poland. During his national career, he took part in Germany in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2006.

Achievements

• Master of the Football League Championship: 2004/ 05 with Sunderland AFC