Player Profile: Steven Reid

Full Name: Steven Reid
Date of Birth: 10th March 1981, Kingston (Greater London)
Nationality: Irish
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 14
Internationals: Capped at Full level for Republic of Ireland
Signed: July 2003
Previous Clubs: Millwall

Steven Reid began his career with Millwall making his debut as a 17-year-old in the 1997-1998 season.

Whilst with Millwall despite being born in England and representing them at junior levels due to qualifying through his grandparents Reid decided to represent the Republic of Ireland making his debut in 2001 and being a part of the Irish squad that travelled to Japan and Korean for the 2002 World Cup Finals, making it in as a late injury replacement.

He made the step up to the Premiership with Rovers when Graeme Souness signed him for £1.85 million in the summer of 2003. His debut came on 23rd August 2003 as a 76th minute substitute. He was only to last twelve minutes before being dismissed in the 88th minute!

Primarily used as a wide midfielder with Millwall and Blackburn Rovers under Graeme Souness, Mark Hughes’ arrival saw him moved into a central role. His time at Ewood Park has been blighted by injures and despite missing the early weeks of the 2006-2007 with a troublesome back injury it was thought these problems are finally behind him?

This proved wrong, having picked up the injury playing for Ireland (whom he captained for the first time in 2006) Reid later underwent scans on his back that revealed a stress fracture meaning he would be out until at least January, probably February 2007, if not longer.

Reid is the man who secured Rovers’ place in the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup scoring the winning goal against Chelsea in the 1-0 win at Ewood Park early in May 2006.

He followed this up by signing a new contract in the summer of 2006 citing the fact that he owed the fans as his reason for doing so snubbing a move to Tottenham Hotspur and also rumoured interest from Manchester United.

Blackburn Rovers appearances and goals up to the start of the 2006-2007 Season
League: 78 (15 as sub) – 6goals
FA Cup: 7 (4 as sub)
League Cup: 5 (3 as sub) – 1 goal
Other (European etc.): 2 (1 as sub)
TOTAL: 92 – 7 goals

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