Craig Gardner is an English professional football player born in 1986.
He made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa on December 26, 2005.
Gardner was part of the England under-21 team that reached the final of the 2009 European Championships.
Biography
Early Life
Craig Gardner was born in Solihull and raised in the Yardley district of Birmingham, where he attended Cockshut Hill School. His passion for football was evident from a young age, and he eventually joined Aston Villa's youth system, turning professional on January 31, 2005.
Career
Gardner made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa on December 26, 2005, and quickly established himself as a promising midfielder. He scored his first professional goal in a match against Middlesbrough and continued to impress with notable performances, including scoring twice in a week in October 2007. After a successful stint at Villa, he transferred to Birmingham City in 2010, where he became a fan favorite, especially after helping the team win the Football League Cup in the 2010-11 season.
Following his time at Birmingham, Gardner played for Sunderland from 2011 to 2014 and then moved to West Bromwich Albion until 2017. He returned to Birmingham City for a second spell, contributing significantly to the team. Internationally, Gardner represented the England under-21 team, participating in the 2009 European Championships.
In January 2021, Gardner transitioned into coaching, joining Birmingham City's staff. He was appointed technical director in June 2021 and later became the director of football in February 2025, a role he held until June 2026.
Personal Life
Gardner's loyalty to Birmingham City is well-known, as he has been a lifelong supporter of the club. He shares a familial connection to football, with his younger brother, Gary Gardner, also having played for England at youth level. Gardner is also recognized for his charitable actions, including a notable donation to a disabled toddler's family after a chance encounter in a store.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Aston Villa
Gardner came through Aston Villa's youth system and turned professional on 31 January 2005. He made his Premier League debut on 26 December 2005, when he came on as a substitute for Steven Davis against Everton at Villa Park. He scored his first professional goal for Villa in the 3–1 away win on 14 April against Middlesbrough. He also netted a contender for goal of the month on the last day of the season away to Bolton Wanderers. After a series of appearances Villa manager Martin O'Neill entered contract talks with Gardner. In August 2007, Gardner signed a new four-year deal, which ran until June 2011. On 1 October 2007 he scored twice in two games with two free kicks. First he scored away to Tottenham Hotspur in a 4–4 draw and then the winner against West Ham United five days later with a deflected attempt. On 1 December 2007, Gardner scored the opener in a home match against Arsenal. Villa went on to lose the match 2–1. Gardner has often played in the right-back slot, and impressed both O'Neill and his captain, Gareth Barry, who said that Gardner could be a key player for years to come. Gardner made just one appearance for Villa in the 2009–10 season because of a groin injury. On 4 January 2010 it was announced that Birmingham City were preparing a £3.5 million bid. However it was revealed that Aston Villa had turned down the bid for the player. However, the club later offered a second deal including add-ons that was accepted by Aston Villa. He made…
Gardner was a member of the England under-21 team that played at the 2009 European Championships. He appeared in two group matches and was a second-half substitute in the final, which England lost 4–0 to Germany.
- Club
- Birmingham City F.C. (2010–2011)
- Club
- Sunderland A.F.C. (2011–2014)
- Club
- Aston Villa F.C. (2005–2010)
- Club
- West Bromwich Albion F.C. (2014–2017)
- Club
- England national under-21 association football team (2007–2009)
- Club
- Birmingham City F.C. (2017–2017)
- Club
- Birmingham City F.C. (2017–2020)
- League
- Premier League
- National team
- England
Personal
Gardner was born in Solihull and raised in the Yardley district of Birmingham, where he attended Cockshut Hill School. After transferring to Birmingham City in 2010, he said he was a lifelong Birmingham City supporter. His younger brother Gary Gardner also played for England at youth level and turned professional with Aston Villa. In June 2012, Gardner donated £500 to the family of a disabled toddler after a chance meeting in a department store; this was only revealed after the Stoke-on-Trent family told a local newspaper.
Legacy
Birmingham City
Football League Cup: 2010–11 Sunderland
Football League Cup runner-up: 2013–14 England U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2009
Clubs
Played together with
Aaron HughesAston Villa F.C. · 2005–2007
Aaron LennonEngland national under-21 association football team · 2005–2008
Aaron McLeanBirmingham City F.C. · 2013–2014
Aaron RamsdaleEngland national under-21 association football team · 2018–2021
Aaron TshibolaAston Villa F.C.
Aaron Wan-BissakaAston Villa F.C. · 2026- Aaron Wan-BissakaEngland national under-21 association football team · 2018–2019
Abbey-Leigh StringerAston Villa F.C. · 2015
Abdou Kader ManganeSunderland A.F.C. · 2013–2013
Abdoulaye MéïtéWest Bromwich Albion F.C. · 2008–2011- Achille RougaWest Bromwich Albion F.C. · 2014
- Adam ChambersWest Bromwich Albion F.C. · 1999–2005
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Craig Gardner is an English professional football coach and former player who made 260 appearances in the Premier League and a further 67 in the Championship. He joined the coaching staff at Birmingham City in January 2021, was appointed technical director in June, and was promoted to director of football in February 2025, a role he held until leaving the club in June 2026.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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