Danny Pugh

Daniel Adam "Danny" Pugh (born 19 October 1982 in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport) is an England professional association football. He currently plays for Stoke City F.C. who he signed for from Preston North End F.C., in a deal worth £500,000 and a three and a half year deal.

After making few appearances for his former club, Manchester United F.C., Pugh became the first player signed under new Leeds United F.C. manager Kevin Blackwell as part-exchange for former Leeds favourite Alan Smith. Pugh was signed as a utility player - his ability to play on the left hand side of midfield or defence was to be a key factor in a Leeds squad which only had 4 players remaining from the season before (those 4 players being Gary Kelly (footballer), Michael Duberry, Frazer Richardson and Matthew Kilgallon).

His Leeds career started well: for the first half of the season he held down the left midfield position in a 4-4-2 formation, and had been the club's top scorer until the arrival of David Healy (footballer) from Preston. Pugh was then switched to left full back after an injury to Stephen Crainey and a dip in form from Frazer Richardson. However, Pugh subsequently fell out of favour at Leeds. Blackwell's decision to switch to a 4-3-3 formation meant that Pugh's position was taken by David Healy and, with Matthew Kilgallon occupying the left full back position, Pugh was dropped to the bench.

Pugh was sold to Preston in June 2006 for a fee of £250,000, his last few months at Leeds having been spent almost entirely out of the first team (he had made only five appearance in his final six months with the club). Pugh was a regular in the first team, playing tucked in off the left flank or occasionally as an out-and-out central midfielder.

On 2 November 2007, it was announced that Stoke City F.C. had signed Pugh, initially on loan with a view to a permanent move in January. Manager Tony Pulis was "delighted to have signed a quality left-sided midfielder". The move was made permanent on 3 January 2008, with Stoke paying Preston £500,000 for Pugh's services. Pugh has been a regular since joining the club, playing as left-sided midfielder and left back. He has also deputised in centre midfield, winning man of the match awards in games against Watford F.C. and Newcastle United F.C..