Fabian Delph

Über Fabian Delph

Fabian Delph (born 21 November 1989) is an English former professional footballer. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged 11. Having played 45 games for Leeds at League One level and once in the Championship, he transferred to Premier League side Aston Villa in August 2009 for £6 million. In 2012, he returned to Leeds for a short loan spell. Delph had a successful start to the 2012–13 Premier League season, leading Villa manager Paul Lambert to call for his inclusion in the England squad. In July 2015, Delph joined Manchester City for £8 million. Delph represented England at under-19 and under-21 level and made his senior debut in a friendly against Norway on 3 September 2014. On 17 July 2015, Delph signed a five-year contract with Premier League club Manchester City for a reported fee of £8 million, just six days after saying he was staying to captain Aston Villa next season. He made his debut for a week later against Real Madrid in the 2015 International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket ground, but was substituted after 18 minutes for Jesús Navas due to injury, and City lost 1–4. Fabian Delph made his return to Villa Park on 8 November 2015, when subbing on for Yaya Touré in the 78th minute. The game ended in a 0–0 draw. Delph scored his first goal for Manchester City on 28 November 2015 against Southampton, the second in an eventual 3–1 win After representing both under-19 and under-21's. 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 Euro 2016 England squad. Prior to his competitive debut for England, Delph was also eligible to represent Guyana through his ancestry. 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.