Joleon Lescott

Joleon Patrick Lescott (born 16 August 1982 in Birmingham, England) is an England football (soccer) Defender (football), who currently plays for Everton F.C. in the Premier League. Joleon is the younger brother of Bristol Rovers footballer, Aaron Lescott.

Biography

As a five year old, Joleon Lescott was nearly killed after being hit by a car outside his primary school in the Midlands. The severe head injuries he sustained meant he needed major surgery. The scar that is still visible on Lescott's forehead is a permanent reminder of the accident.

Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.

Whilst playing youth football for the Grinham Giants in the Quinton Little League, Birmingham, Lescott was spotted by a Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C] scout and accepted the offer of joining the club's Centre of Excellence. Despite spending a short spell at Derby County F.C] and, at the age of 13, contemplating never going back to football following a year out from the game because he was finding the training and the professionalism too difficult[escott signed trainee forms with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. in August 1999.

His first-team debut came as a 17 year old in the 2000-01 in English football against Sheffield Wednesday F.C] at Molineux stadium on 13 August 2000. At the end his first season, Lescott was named the Supporters' Young Player of the Year by the Wolves faithful; an award he also won in the subsequent 2001-02 in English football.

Lescott started to become a regular fixture in the Wolves team. During the 2002-03 in English football he missed only one league match and played in each of the club's FA Cup fixtures. He was also a member of the team that defeated Sheffield United 3–0 at the Millennium Stadium to win promotion to the FA Premier League for the 2003-04 in English football. Lescott declared this to be the proudest moment of his career.

Despite Wolves gaining promotion, Lescott was unable to participate in the 2003-04 in English football due to knee surgery, preventing him from competing in the Premier League. Wolves were subsequently relegated and, upon completing his rehabilitation, Lescott returned to compete in the Championship.

In October 2005, Lescott agreed a two and a half year extension to his contract at Wolves. At the conclusion of the 2005-06 in English football he was named in the Football League Championship team of the season, voted for by his fellow professionals, and also picked up the Wolves Player of the Year award.

Everton F.C.

Lescott was sold to Everton at the start of the 2006-07 in English football for an immediate payment of £2 million, followed by a further £2 million paid by installments and a final £1 million contingent on appearances. The transfer was slightly delayed as Everton asked for extra medical checks to be taken on Lescott's knee following the reconstruction of the joint earlier in his career.

Of the move to Everton, Lescott said: "I am more than happy to sign because it was one of my favourite clubs as a boy and I am grateful I have the chance to play here. It didn't take me any time at all to make the decision. As soon as my agent said Everton were interested I said that was where I wanted to go and I made it clear to Wolves as well."

Lescott was Everton's third summer signing after Tim Howard and Andy Johnson. Everton sold Per Krøldrup in January 2006 and Matteo Ferrari returned to A.S. Roma at the conclusion of his loan making Lescott one of only four senior centre backs at the club. This ensured that Lescott had significant playing time during 2006–07, predominately as a centre back, but also as a left full-back.

Joleon made his Everton debut in August 2006 during a victory over Tottenham Hotspur F.C], Everton's first victory at White Hart Lane in two decades. Lescott started again in the next match, the 204th Merseyside derby which resulted in a 3-0 victory for Lescott and Everton. After numerous impressive performances Lescott quickly became a fans' favourite. He scored his first Everton goal in the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on April 2nd, 2007. Lescott scored his second Everton goal just 13 days later in a 2-1 victor over Charlton Athletic at Goodison Park.

Lescott's successful first season in top flight football was recognised by his team mates who voted him Player's Player of the Season 2006/07. He also finished a very close second behind Mikel Arteta in the fans Player of the Season.

The start of the Premier League 2007-08 saw Lescott score two goals in the first five games of the season. After scoring against Tottenham on the 13th of August, Joleon rolled his sleeve up in celebration and showed a tattoo of his son's name, Donovan, on his forearm.

England

Lescott has represented England at Under-18, Under-20, England national under-21 football team and England B levels. After a fine first season for Everton, Lescott made his England B debut against Albania national football team at Burnley FC Turf Moor on May 25 2007, he replaced Reading F.C. Nicky Shorey in the 73rd minute.

On September 3 2007, Lescott was handed a long awaited callup to Steve McClaren's England national football team for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel national football team and Russia national football team.[tp://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/09/LescottCallUp.htm]