Richard Stearman

Football player infobox
playername = Richard Stearman


fullname = Richard James Michael Stearman
height = height|ft=6|in=2
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|8|19
cityofbirth = Wolverhampton
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Wolverhampton Wanderers
clubnumber = 5
position = Defender
youthyears = 1998–2004
youthclubs = Leicester City
years = 2004–2008
2008–
clubs = Leicester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers
caps(goals) = 116 (7) 010 (0)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 0 (0)
pcupdate = 7 October 2008
ntupdate =

Richard James Michael Stearman (born August 19, 1987 in Wolverhampton) is an English football defender, currently playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship.

Career

Leicester City

Stearman, raised in Leicestershire, joined the Leicester City's youth academy in 1998 having been spotted playing for his local side Harborough Town. Equally adept at playing at right-back or centre-back, he signed his first professional contract in 2004, shortly after having won Leicester's Young Player of the Year award in 2003/04.

He made his senior debut aged 17, on 30 October 2004 in a goalless draw at Cardiff, and finished his first season with 8 appearances to his name. He became a first team regular in 2005/06, and attracted a bid from Sunderland, rejected by then-manager Rob Kelly, who said he was unwilling to part with one of his players he considered a hot prospect. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/5302266.stm Leicester reject bid for Stearman] , BBC Sport 2006-08-31.] He remained with the club for two more seasons, and won both Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year awards for 2007/08.cite news | title = Stearman proud of awards double | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/7375177.stm | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2008-04-30]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

After Leicester were relegated to League One, Stearman signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers of The Championship on 25 June 2008 in a four year deal. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7473155.stm Stearman swaps Foxes for Wolves] , BBC Sport 2008-06-25.] He made his debut for Wolves in a 2–2 draw at fc|Plymouth Argyle on 9 August 2008 and has remained a first-choice player ever since.

International

Stearman has represented England at Under-17 and Under-18 level. He was called up by the England Under-21 squad in November 2007 for the 2009 European Championship qualifiers, however he was an unused substitute in the games. He later received a second call-up from the Under-21s, early in his Wolves career, when he was selected for a European Championship qualifier against Portugal in September 2008. [cite news| title = Stearman called up for England Under-21s| url = http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1382872,00.html | publisher = wolves.co.uk | date = 2008-09-02] However, he was again an unused substitute in the game. He has been selected again for the forthcoming qualifying play-off tie against Wales following the withdrawal of Micah Richards. [cite news| title =England Under-21 Call-up For Stearman| url = http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1414873,00.html| publisher = wolves.co.uk| date = 2008-10-07]

References

External links

* [http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10307~30144,00.html Official club profile]
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