Darren Carter

Darren Anthony Carter (born 18 December 1983 in Solihull, England) is an English football (soccer) midfielder who plays for Preston North End F.C.. He is well known for his impressive ability to score from long range.

Career

Carter made his début for Birmingham City F.C. in the 1-0 defeat at West Brom on January 29, 2002. He subsequently hit the headlines in May of the same year when he calmly slotted home the decisive penalty kick in the penalty shoot-out to decide the Football League First Division play-off final. The match had finished 1-1 after extra time and the invaluable spot-kick sealed Birmingham's promotion to the F.A. Premiership, thus condemning Norwich City F.C. to languish for another season in Division One. Carter represented England U20 at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

After the former England Under-20 international signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2006, he was loaned to Sunderland A.F.C. in September 2004. Carter scored on his début in a 3-1 victory over Preston North End on 18 September 2004. He made nine further appearances for the Black Cats. This gave his Birmingham career the boost it needed, and he was seen as a vital member of the squad until his July 2005 transfer to West Bromwich Albion for £1.5 million..

Carter made his Albion debut in a 3-2 home defeat against his former club Birmingham on 27 August 2005. His first West Brom goal was a stunning winner in a 2-1 victory over Arsenal F.C. on 15 October 2005; the strike won him the club's Goal-of-the-Season Award. After being told he wasn't guaranteed first team football at West Bromwich Albion, Carter signed for Preston North End on 9 August 2007, for a fee that could rise to £1.25m. Carter made his North End debut in a 0-0 draw against Norwich City on 11 August 2007. His performance in the match earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week.

On 17 February 2008, during the fifth round of the FA Cup 2007-08, Carter scored an own goal in the 94th minute which knocked Preston North End out of the competition.