Fabian Delph

Leeds United

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Delph started his career in football as a youngster at Bradford City. Delph left City in September 2001 to join Leeds United after he was recommended to their academy coach Greg Abbott by former Bradford manager Paul Jewell, whose son played with Delph. He went to Tong Secondary School, which he left in 2006 to sign a two-year scholarship with Leeds United, at the age of 16. He completed his studies at the partner school to Leeds, Boston Spa School. After a string of impressive performances in spring 2007, Delph was made captain of the Leeds Reserves. He, along with Robert Bayly, was given his debut at Leeds as a substitute in the final match of the 2006–07 season against Derby County on 6 May 2007. He was awarded his first professional contract on 11 January 2008, and made two substitute appearances for Leeds in the 2007–08 season. Delph impressed in the 2008–09 pre-season friendly against Barnet, earning praise from manager Gary McAllister and former Leeds player Eddie Gray. He made his first League Cup start in Leeds' 5–2 win away at Chester City in the first round on 13 August 2008. Having gained more first-team experience, on 5 September 2008, Delph signed a new four-year contract at Leeds. He celebrated his new contract by scoring his first senior goal the following day as Leeds defeated Crewe Alexandra 5–2. He soon after scored two long range shots against Walsall during a 3–0 win. Delph's form attracted the…

In March 2008, Delph started his international career, making his debut as a substitute for the England national under-19 team. On 28 August 2014, Delph was named in the senior England squad for the first time, ahead of a friendly against Norway and the first Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland. He made his international debut in the friendly against Norway on 3 September 2014, coming on as a 69th-minute substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as England won 1–0. Five days later, in England's first match of UEFA Euro 2016 qualification, Delph made his first start and played the entirety of a 2–0 victory away to Switzerland at St. Jakob-Park, Basel. On 16 May 2016, Delph was announced to have been selected for the provisional UEFA Euro 2016 England squad. However, on 26 May he was ruled out of the tournament with a groin injury. Delph was named in the 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He made his World Cup debut against Panama, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 6–1 win. He played the full 90 minutes of the final group game, against Belgium. Prior to his competitive debut for England, Delph was also eligible to represent Guyana through his ancestry.

Club

International

On 23 December 2008, Delph was arrested by police and charged for drink driving in Rothwell, Leeds, while driving home with four friends. He pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates' Court to the charge of driving whilst over the limit; he was fined £1,400, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £60. He has three daughters, the youngest of whom was born during the 2018 World Cup.