Kieron Dyer

Kieron Courtney Dyer (born 29 December 1978 in Ipswich, England) is an English people football (soccer), currently playing for West Ham United F.C..

Career

Ipswich Town

Dyer's football career began with his hometown team, Ipswich Town F.C., whom he signed for as a 17-year-old trainee in 1996. He broke into the Ipswich first team during his first season at the club, and quickly established a reputation as one of the top youngsters in English football outside of the FA Premier League. He spent three years at Portman Road, then requested a transfer in order to further his international prospects, after Ipswich failed to gain promotion through the playoffs into the Premier League in 1999.

Newcastle United

Dyer was sold to Newcastle United F.C. in July 1999 for a fee of £6m, which is still the record transfer fee received by Ipswich Town. He was the only English player signed by Ruud Gullit during his spell as Newcastle's manager. Dyer opened his Newcastle goalscoring account at home to local rivals Sunderland, but the game ended in a 2-1 defeat, which saw Gullit resign shortly afterwards.

At the start of the 2005-06 season Dyer was once again on the injured list, preventing his selection for club or country. This followed a close-season in which Newcastle manager Graeme Souness signed a number of other midfield players including Emre Belözoğlu, Scott Parker (footballer), Albert Luque and Nolberto Solano.

Dyer returned to first-team action on 4 February, 2006 against Portsmouth F.C., Newcastle's first game following the departure of Souness. Kieron marked his first start of the season since the opening day against Arsenal F.C. with a goal in the FA Cup fifth round against Southampton F.C. on 18 February, 2006.

Dyer became the first Newcastle United player to score at the Emirates Stadium in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal F.C. on 18 November 2006. In what was his first start in 7 months, (since the 4-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light), Dyer opened the scoring in the game after 30 minutes, with his first league goal for Newcastle in over 20 months. He continued his rich vein of form, also netting against Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Bolton Wanderers F.C., Birmingham City F.C., Aston Villa F.C., AZ Alkmaar and Watford. Following his return from injury Dyer showed his versatility by playing in central midfield, right midfield and as an attacking midfielder, supporting Obafemi Martins.

Dyer was given permission to speak to West Ham United F.C. in August 2007 after both clubs agreed an undisclosed transfer fee. On the 4 August West Ham United confirmed that the deal had fallen through due to Newcastle's pulling out of the deal.

West Ham United

However, he completed a move to West Ham United on August 16 2007 for £6m, signing a four year deal.
He made his debut for West Ham in the 1-0 away win at Birmingham City on August 18 2007.

Just ten days later he was stretchered off after a tackle by Joe Jacobson in a Football League Cup match against Bristol Rovers F.C., which resulted in his right leg being broken in two places.

International

After representing his country at Youth, Under 21, and 'B' level, his debut for England national football team came on 4 September 1999 when he started in England's 6-0 win against Luxembourg national football team. He then played for his country at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2004 UEFA European Football Championship.

After almost 2 years without making an appearance for England, his outstanding form for Newcastle United F.C earned him a call up to Steve McClaren's England Squad for the friendly against Spain on February 7 2007. He started in place of Wayne Rooney (wearing the Number 9 shirt) and earned his 29th Cap. England lost 1-0 but Dyer was the high point in an otherwise lacklustre England performance. Dyer also came on as a substitute for Micah Richards in the 3-0 victory over Andorra on March 28 2007, gaining his 30th cap.

Disciplinary problems

In August 2004 Dyer received a public caution from the Club's management after he was filmed urinating in public. This followed on from Dyer being named in connection with a criminal investigation in October 2003 into the gang rape of a 17 year old girl at the Grosvenor Hotel where Dyer was also staying. Kieron was cleared of all charges. He also memorably crashed his Ferrari into a bridge stanchion in the middle of Newcastle.

On April 2 2005, Dyer was involved in an on-pitch brawl with fellow teammate Lee Bowyer in Newcastle United's Premiership match with Aston Villa F.C.. This resulted in Dyer receiving a Misconduct (football) for that particular game plus a further three game ban. Bowyer received a more severe punishment of a four game ban and a fine of more than £200,000 - approximately six weeks wages - as it was adjudged that he had attacked Dyer. As of 16th August 2007, Dyer linked up with Bowyer again when he signed for West Ham United.

On 24 May 2006, Dyer was arrested and released on police bail in connection with an allegation of indecent exposure made by a female member of staff at a Swallow Hotel in Norwich on 30 April. Dyer later denied the allegations.