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 Full Name: Darren Carter Midfielder
Date of Birth:
18th
December 1983
Birthplace:
Solihull
Joined
Albion:
4th July 2005
from Birmingham City for a fee of £1.5 million
with another £250,000 dependent on clauses
Contract Expires:
2006/07 Squad Number:
17
Previous Clubs:
Birmingham City
--- 2001-05
International Honours:
Capped at England
Youth & Under-20
Biography Solihull born and a life-long Blues fan Darren progressed through the youth academy at St Andrew’s before breaking into their first team as an almost unknown in early 2002, making his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Albion on January 29. Darren impressed immediately and kept his place in the team for virtually all of the remaining games of the season as Blues made a late surge into the play-offs. The play-off final at the Millenium Stadium would see Darren write his name into the history books by converting the winning spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out with Norwich to send Blues into the Premiership. Despite having made such a dramatic impact in Blues promotion push Darren found it difficult to win a first team place during Blues first season back in the top flight, he ended up making just 13 appearances, most of them as a substitute. The 2003/04 season was another disappointing one for Darren, he made just one start for the club and found himself totally out of the first team. His cause wasn't helped by a contract dispute, although in January 2004 he finally penned a contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2006. The 2004/05 season looked like it would be no better for the young midfielder, in September he was sent out on a three month loan deal to Championship side Sunderland, making his debut for them against Preston on September 18. It was to be a move that revived his career. After impressing everyone during his ten appearances for Sunderland Darren returned to St Andrew’s in December and was immediately handed a first team return. His return to the team coincided with an upturn in results for Blues and he finished the season with 17 appearances and four goals to his name. With Darren’s future at St Andrew’s looking brighter than ever it was something of a surprise when it was announced that Albion were interested in bringing the left footed midfielder across the Midlands to The Hawthorns. After turning down Albion’s initial offer Blues accepted a £1.5million bid on June 23, 2005. On July 4 Darren finally became an Albion player signing a three year deal at the club. Speaking about his new signing Albion boss Bryan Robson said: "I'm really pleased we've added Darren to the squad because he is a very promising youngster who has a big future ahead of him. He has very good stamina and is very much a box-to-box player who can play in the centre of midfield or wide on the left. He is also left footed which gives us good balance in the squad, he has a good presence and he'll also make improvements when he gets a run in the team. Like Richard Chaplow, he has a big future if he keeps his feet on the ground - he is a good investment for the club." Albion Stats Appearances & Discipline:
Goals:
Appearances and
goals are
correct up to and including v Southampton, Coca-Cola
Championship, away, 12/08/06. |
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