Friday, February 4, 2011

Kyle Andrew Walker

Kyle Andrew Walker, was born 28 May 1990. He is an English footballer, who is currently playing for Aston Villa on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

Walker grew up in the Sharrow district of Sheffield and attended High Storrs School until 2006. He joined Sheffield United 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. In November 2008 he was allowed to join League One side Northampton Town 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. His one month loan was later extended into January[4] and he eventually returned to Bramall Lane having played nine games for the Cobblers. Soon, after returning to his parent club Walker made his full debut for Sheffield United on 13 January 2009 starting in a third round F.A. 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 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.

In July 2009, Walker left Sheffield United to join Tottenham Hotspur along with fellow defender Kyle Naughton for an undisclosed fee, and was loaned back to the Yorkshire club for the duration of the 2009/2010 season as part of the deal. 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 debut for Tottenham on Sunday 28 March 2010, in a 2–0 victory over Portsmouth.

David de Gea Quintana

David de Gea Quintana, was born 7 November 1990 in Madrid. He is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid, as a goalkeeper.

A product of Atlético de Madrid's youth system, De Gea spent his first professional seasons with the reserves, in Segunda División B. As first-choice Sergio Asenjo was away on international duty, he received his first main side call-ups. On September 30, 2009, he replaced injured Roberto during the UEFA Champions League contest at F.C. Porto, in an eventual 0–2 loss, not yet aged 19.

Three days later, De Gea made his first division debuts, at home against Real Zaragoza; he gave away a penalty kick in the 19th minute, but saved the ensuing Marko Babić attempt, in an eventual 2–1 triumph. After some costly mistakes by Asenjo, and the arrival of Quique Sánchez Flores as manager, he finished the season as the starter – twice earning Man of the match awards along the way, against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia CF. Additionally, he appeared in eight games in the club's victorious UEFA Europa League campaign, including the 2–1 final win against Fulham.

De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the season's UEFA Super Cup: in the 90th minute of the 2–0 win against F.C. Internazionale Milano, he saved a Diego Milito penalty kick.

De Gea helped Spain's U17 win the 2007 European Championship and finish second at the 2007 World Cup. In early May 2010, courtesy of solid Atlético performances, he was named by senior squad manager Vicente del Bosque in a provisional 30-man squad, in view of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup; eventually, he did not make the final cut.