Position: Defender Squad Number: 3 Former Clubs: Wigan Date of Birth: 11/12/84 Transfer Fee: £5million (Rising to £6million with add-ons)
Twenty-two-year-old Leighton Baines is Everton’s third most expensive signing to date, arriving from Wigan Athletic just before the start of the 2007/ 2008 season for an initial fee of £5million.
Baines’ arrival should bring consistency to a left-back position which has sometimes been one of Everton’s weak spots- filling the gap left following the departure of Gary Naysmith.
An England Under-21 international, the player is also tipped to be a future regular in the full international squad. The left-back played in each of England’s games in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2007, scoring a match-winning goal against Germany in the Championship play-offs.
Despite his relative youth, Baines is well equipped for Everton’s next Premiership campaign, having already spent two years at the top level with Wigan.
Baines was linked with a number of clubs including Newcastle United and Sunderland, turning down these offers in favour of the club, who like fellow new signing Phil Jagielka, had released him as a boy.
After his release by Everton, Baines was scooped up by Wigan where he rose through the ranks to become a fixture in the first team, making his debut at 17. The player proved he can pop up when required to provide the odd goal, scoring seven league goals while playing for the Latics.
The Kirby-born defender is regarded tenacious player who is not afraid to battle and has made it clear that the chance to play for his boyhood team - and the European challenge ahead - were big draws in his decision to join Everton.
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