Maik Taylor

Maik Stefan Taylor (born September 4, 1971 in Hildesheim, Germany) is a Northern Ireland international football (soccer) Goalkeeper (football) who currently plays for Birmingham City F.C.. He has an England father and a German mother, and qualifies for Northern Ireland national football team through his United Kingdom passport which, as he was born abroad, entitled him to play for any of the Home Nations.

Club career

Taylor began his career at ASC Neinburh before moving to Princess Marina College, Petersfield Town F.C., Farnborough Town F.C., Barnet F.C. and Southampton F.C..

Taylor was bought by Fulham F.C. in 1997 from Southampton F.C. at a cost of £700,000. Fulham's manager Kevin Keegan rated him as the "best taker of a cross in Britain" and he proved to be a good signing for the Cottagers, helping them to the Second Division title in 1999. The First Division Championship followed in 2001 and thus promotion to the Premiership.

Taylor signed for Birmingham City F.C. in August 2003 originally on a year long loan deal with the possibility of permanent contract. After a good start to his Blues career manager Steve Bruce decided to make the contract permanent when the January transfer window opened; Taylor continued his impressive form and was rewarded by being nominated as the goalkeeper for the Premiership team of the season 2003-04.

Taylor is renowned for his shot stopping and great aerial ability. The 6 ft 4 in stopper was voted Premier League fans' goalkeeper of the season in Birmingham City F.C.'s 2003–04 campaign.

Taylor was replaced as Birmingham's first choice goalkeeper in February 2007 by Colin Doyle, but regained his place after the first three matches of the Premier League 2007-08 season.

International career

He is a regular in the Northern Ireland national football team, and has over 70 caps for the team. His debut was against Germany national football team in 1999, where Northern Ireland lost 0–3.