Grant Leadbitter
From Sunderland A.F.C. Wiki
| Grant Leadbitter | ||
| ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Grant Leadbitter | |
| Date of birth | January 7 1986 | |
| Place of birth | Chester le Street, England | |
| Playing position | Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Ipswich town | |
| Number | 18 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| 2000–2006 | Sunderland | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2003– | Sunderland Rotherham (loan) Ipswich town | 111 (10) |
| National team | ||
| 2007 | England U21 | 2 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals | ||
Grant Leadbitter born (born January 7, 1986 in Chester le Street) is an English football player who currently plays for Ipswich town. He played for Sunderland A.F.C. from 2003-2009.
Leadbitter joined the sunderland first team rising through the academy since joining the club at the age of 16. Leadbitter's first professional appearance for Sunderland, came as a substitute in a League Cup defeat against Huddersfield Town in September 2003, though he had been at the club ever since 1993 rising through the youth ranks. Before obtaining a regular first-team place at the club, he was loaned to Rotherham United in September 2005. After his loan stay in Rotherham, he finally gained attraction from then manager Mick McCarthy, and started in several Premiership games for the Black Cats in February 2006.
After Sunderland's relegation in 2006, Leadbitter stalled on contract talks, with many predicting he was aiming to attract the attention Premier League clubs (Manchester City & Blackburn), But later rejected moves because he only ever wanted to stay at Sunderland. Leadbitter took part in every one of Sunderland's games in the 2006/07 season and contributed seven goals ranking as the clubs 3rd top scorer of that season.
In 2007/2008 Leadbitter scored his two premiership goals against Middlesbrough and Blackburn, and in 2008/2009 he scored against Arsenal and Wigan. The Arsenal goal was dedicated to his father, who had suddenly died a couple of months previously.
On the transfer deadline day of the 2009/2010 season, Leadbitter rejoined Roy Keane at ipswich.
