Lee Croft

Lee Robert Croft (born 26 June, 1985 in Higher End, Greater Manchester), is an England football (soccer) who currently plays as a midfielder for Norwich City F.C. of the Football League Championship. He has previously played for Oldham Athletic A.F.C. and Manchester City F.C..

Croft's first club was Manchester City, who he joined as a twelve year old after scout Eric Mullenden spotted him playing for junior team Garswood United. He was a talented youth player, representing England national football team at every level up to under-20, including captaining England under-18s. Accumulating more than 40 caps in total, he is the most capped England youth player of all-time. At club level, he was part of the Manchester City youth team which reached the semi-finals of the 2003 FA Youth Cup.

Croft turned professional aged seventeen, but did not break into the first team straight away. In November 2004 Croft went to Oldham Athletic on loan in order to gain first-team experience. He made his senior debut on 14 November 2004 in an FA Cup tie against Thurrock F.C., in which he won his side a penalty. An FA Cup third round draw between Oldham and Manchester City raised the possibility of Croft facing his employers as an opposing player, but competition rules prevented him from doing so. Croft's loan spell lasted three months, in which he made seventeen Oldham appearances and scored two goals.

His first team debut for Manchester City was on March 7, 2005 against Bolton Wanderers F.C., coming on as a substitute in Kevin Keegan's final game as Manchester City manager, and made a further six substitute appearances that season. In April 2005 he signed a one-year contract extension. Croft was a regular substitute at the start of the 2005-06 in English football. His first Premier League start came on 31 October 2005 against Aston Villa F.C., and his first Manchester City goal came a week later in a match against Fulham F.C.. He also started the next two matches, but this run of four matches was to be the only period Croft formed part of the Manchester City starting eleven. He was a frequent substitute in the remainder of the season, finishing with campaign with 25 appearances, 21 of these as a substitute.

On July 28 2006 he signed for Norwich City for a fee of around £700,000 and scored his first goal for the club on 12 August 2006 in a 3-2 win against Luton Town F.C. at Carrow Road.

Croft continued his good start at Carrow Road with another goal in the 5-1 demolition of Barnsley F.C. on August 26 2006 and was seen by many City fans as providing balance to the team on the right-hand side that had been missing for some time. On 28 October 2006, however, it was announced that Croft would be absent from first team duties for a possible 6 weeks following an injury during Norwich's 5-0 defeat at Stoke City. After making his return from injury, Croft went for a long period without scoring, but finally got on the scoresheet with a goal in another game against Barnsley F.C. at Oakwell Stadium on March 3 2007.

Croft has been capped at schoolboy level by England national football team more times than any other player. He played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Croft was a fan of Liverpool F.C. as a boy.

Mum Gina and Dad Paul are said to be the biggest influences on his career and his only Brother Stuart is also a talented footballer who is currently in The United States Of America on a four year football Scholarship.

Lee is nicknamed Buzz because of his uncanny look of Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.