Darcy Blake

Darcy James Blake (born 13 December 1988 in New Tredegar, Caerphilly) is a Wales professional footballer who currently plays in midfield and defence for Cardiff City F.C. in the Football League Championship.

Club career

Blake joined the Cardiff City youth side at the age of 10 and as a youngster he supported both Liverpool F.C. and Cardiff. He signed his first professional contract at the club in 2006 along with fellow academy graduate Chris Gunter.

Darcy made his first team debut on the 17 April 2006 against Crewe Alexandra F.C. in the Football League Championship but had to wait until 20 February, 2007 to make his first league start for the club in a match against West Bromwich Albion F.C., Cardiff losing the match 1-0. Blake also recieved a man of the match award in the semi final of the FAW Premier Cup against The New Saints F.C. after playing in the centre back position instead of the usual center midfield position with his strength and tackling earning him the man of the match award

Although midfield is his primary role he can play in several positions in the team and has so far played at centre back, right back and right wing for the Bluebirds.. Blake began the 2007-08 season in the reserves but after a number of injuries affecting the team he began to make an impact on the first team, which included coming on as a substitute for Kevin McNaughton during a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough F.C. in the FA Cup quarter-final which was followed by his first league start of the season at right back in a 1-1 draw with Colchester United F.C..

International career

Blake was a regular for the Wales national under-19 football team squad before he was called up to the Wales national under-21 football team squad for the first time in 2006 by coach Brian Flynn and made his debut for the side against Israel national under-21 football team and has been a regular at under-21 level since. Usually playing at right back, he was part of the team that finished top of their qualifying group for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship before losing in the play-off match against England national under-21 football team.

In May 2008 he received his first call-up, alongside six other uncapped members of Wales under-21 side, to the Wales national football team team.

Club stats

As of 15 October, 2008

Honours

Cardiff

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