Kyle Walker
Encyclopedia
Kyle Andrew Walker is an English
footballer who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur
and England.
and grew up in the Sharrow
district of the city. He attended Porter Croft Infant & Junior School, followed by High Storrs School
until 2006.
at the age of seven after being recommended by Football Unites, Racism Divides
and progressed through the ranks to become a regular fixture in the reserves by 2008.
for a month's loan to gain first team experience, making his debut on 15 November 2008 in a defeat at the hands of Oldham Athletic
. His one month loan was later extended into January, before eventually returned to Bramall Lane having played nine games for the Cobblers.
on 13 January 2009 starting in a third round FA Cup
tie against Leyton Orient
. With the Blades losing a number of players to injury in the closing weeks of the season, Walker was a surprise inclusion in the starting line up for the crucial last two games of the season. He made his full league debut for the club on 25 April 2009 against Swansea City
. After two outstanding performances he retained his place as Sheffield United entered the play offs, starting both games against Preston North End
and the final against Burnley
at the end of May. By playing in the final, Walker became the youngest Sheffield United player ever to play at Wembley Stadium
.
along with fellow defender Kyle Naughton
for a combined fee of £9m, and was loaned back to the Yorkshire club for the duration of the 2009–10 season as part of the deal.
Whilst at Bramall Lane
he was virtually ever present at right back for the first half of the season but was unexpectedly recalled back to Spurs on 1 February 2010, just before the close of the January 2010 transfer window
, as cover for Alan Hutton
loaned out to Sunderland earlier the same day. Walker made his début for Tottenham on Sunday 28 March 2010, in a 2–0 victory over .
(QPR) due to injuries at the club in the right back position. In mid-October, his loan was extended until 3 January 2011.
on loan until the end of the 2010–11
season. He scored on his début only nine minutes into the game against former club Sheffield United
in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2011. At the start of February, Walker scored his first Premier League goal and first senior league goal, a 30-yard strike low into the left corner against Fulham
. He returned to his parent club at the end of the 2010–11 season after scoring two goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa.
later stated that he did not wish to sell the defender. Walker subsequently agreed to a contract extension at Tottenham until 2016. Walker was chosen in the starting eleven for Tottenham's opening game of the 2011–12 season, against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 22 August, 2011.
On 2 October, he scored the winning goal in the North London derby
against Arsenal from 25-yards out. Tottenham won that match 2–1. He was also involved in setting up the goal for Rafael van der Vaart
against Blackburn.
, Walker was called up to the England U19s
in February 2009. He made his début on 10 February, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–0 loss to Spain U19s
. Following his first run of regular Premier League starts, Walker was called up to the full England
squad in February 2011 and again in March 2011. However, he did not feature in any of the games played and pulled out of the squad in March due to an injury.
At the end of the 2010–11 season, Walker was named as part of the England squad which competed in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
competition in Denmark. Despite the poor showing of the team who were knocked out in the first round, Walker was named in the Team of the Tournament.
His good form in the 2011–12 Premier League season saw him named in the England squad for a friendly against Spain
. On 12 November, Walker made his England debut in the 1–0 win over Spain, coming on for Scott Parker
as a substitute in the 85th minute.
Walker went on to make his first start for England on 15 November 2011, in a match against Sweden
. His good form saw him win the Man of the Match award at the end of the game.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and England.
Early life
Walker was born in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and grew up in the Sharrow
Sharrow
For the village in North Yorkshire, see Sharow. For the shared lane roadway marking, see Shared lane marking.Sharrow is a district of Sheffield directly south west of Sheffield city centre....
district of the city. He attended Porter Croft Infant & Junior School, followed by High Storrs School
High Storrs School (Sheffield)
High Storrs is a secondary comprehensive school on the south-western outskirts of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England.-Admissions:High Storrs has a Sixth Form and is a specialist Arts College in the Performing Arts, with a second specialism in Maths and Computing...
until 2006.
Sheffield United
Walker joined boyhood club Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
at the age of seven after being recommended by Football Unites, Racism Divides
Football Unites, Racism Divides
Football Unites, Racism Divides is a youth and social inclusion project and charity based in Sheffield, England which uses football as a tool to 'break down barriers created by ignorance or prejudice'...
and progressed through the ranks to become a regular fixture in the reserves by 2008.
Northampton Town (loan)
In November 2008 he was allowed to join League One side Northampton TownNorthampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
for a month's loan to gain first team experience, making his debut on 15 November 2008 in a defeat at the hands of Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. His one month loan was later extended into January, before eventually returned to Bramall Lane having played nine games for the Cobblers.
Return to Sheffield United
Soon after returning to his parent club, Walker made his full debut for Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 13 January 2009 starting in a third round FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie against Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. With the Blades losing a number of players to injury in the closing weeks of the season, Walker was a surprise inclusion in the starting line up for the crucial last two games of the season. He made his full league debut for the club on 25 April 2009 against Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. After two outstanding performances he retained his place as Sheffield United entered the play offs, starting both games against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and the final against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
at the end of May. By playing in the final, Walker became the youngest Sheffield United player ever to play at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.
Tottenham Hotspur
In July 2009, Walker left Sheffield United to join Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
along with fellow defender Kyle Naughton
Kyle Naughton
Kyle Naughton is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Norwich City on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.-Sheffield United:...
for a combined fee of £9m, and was loaned back to the Yorkshire club for the duration of the 2009–10 season as part of the deal.
Whilst at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
he was virtually ever present at right back for the first half of the season but was unexpectedly recalled back to Spurs on 1 February 2010, just before the close of the January 2010 transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
, as cover for Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton is a Scottish footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Scotland national football team.-Rangers:...
loaned out to Sunderland earlier the same day. Walker made his début for Tottenham on Sunday 28 March 2010, in a 2–0 victory over .
Queens Park Rangers (loan)
At the start of the following season, Walker went out on loan once more signing an initial six-month deal with Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(QPR) due to injuries at the club in the right back position. In mid-October, his loan was extended until 3 January 2011.
Aston Villa (loan)
After he had left QPR, Walker joined Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on loan until the end of the 2010–11
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
season. He scored on his début only nine minutes into the game against former club Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2011. At the start of February, Walker scored his first Premier League goal and first senior league goal, a 30-yard strike low into the left corner against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. He returned to his parent club at the end of the 2010–11 season after scoring two goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa.
Return to Tottenham
On leaving Villa Park, Walker suggested that he would be happy to return to the club the following season, as first team opportunities were limited but Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry RedknappHarry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
later stated that he did not wish to sell the defender. Walker subsequently agreed to a contract extension at Tottenham until 2016. Walker was chosen in the starting eleven for Tottenham's opening game of the 2011–12 season, against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 22 August, 2011.
On 2 October, he scored the winning goal in the North London derby
North London derby
The North London derby is the name of the football local derby between the two major teams in North London – Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.-History:...
against Arsenal from 25-yards out. Tottenham won that match 2–1. He was also involved in setting up the goal for Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. His preferred position is as an attacking midfielder; he can, however, also operate in other positions, such as second striker...
against Blackburn.
International career
Before having even made a league appearance for Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, Walker was called up to the England U19s
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
in February 2009. He made his début on 10 February, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–0 loss to Spain U19s
Spain national under-19 football team
The Spain national under-19 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-UEFA European Under-19 Championship Record:...
. Following his first run of regular Premier League starts, Walker was called up to the full England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
squad in February 2011 and again in March 2011. However, he did not feature in any of the games played and pulled out of the squad in March due to an injury.
At the end of the 2010–11 season, Walker was named as part of the England squad which competed in the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
competition in Denmark. Despite the poor showing of the team who were knocked out in the first round, Walker was named in the Team of the Tournament.
His good form in the 2011–12 Premier League season saw him named in the England squad for a friendly against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
. On 12 November, Walker made his England debut in the 1–0 win over Spain, coming on for Scott Parker
Scott Parker
Scott Parker may refer to:*Scott Parker *Scott Parker *Scott Parker *Scott Parker *Scott "Jagged" Parker, one half of the professional wrestling tag team 2.0...
as a substitute in the 85th minute.
Walker went on to make his first start for England on 15 November 2011, in a match against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
. His good form saw him win the Man of the Match award at the end of the game.