Fabian Delph

  Born in Bradford on 21 November 1989, Delph started his career in football as a youngster at Bradford City . Delph left City in September 2001 to join Leeds United after he was recommended to their academy coach Greg Abbott by former Bradford manager Paul Jewell, whose son played with Delph. He went to Tong Secondary School, which he left in 2006 to sign a two-year scholarship with Leeds United, at the age of 16 years old. In March 2008, Delph started his international career, making his debut as a substitute for the England Under-19s . After a string of impressive performances in spring 2007, Delph was made captain of the Leeds Reserves. He was given his debut at Leeds as a substitute in the final match of the 2006–07 season against Derby County on 6 May 2007.He was awarded his first professional contract on 11 January 2008, and made two appearances for Leeds in the 2007–08 season, both as a substitute. Delph impressed in the 2008–09 pre-season friendly against Barnet, earning praise from both manager Gary McAllister and former Leeds player Eddie Gray . He made his first League Cup start in Leeds' 5–2 win away at Chester City in the first round on 13 August 2008. Having gained more first-team experience, on 5 September 2008, Delph signed a new four year contract at Leeds.He celebrated his new contract by scoring his first senior goal the following day as Leeds defeated Crewe Alexandra 5–2.He soon followed it up by scoring twice, both "superb goals" from long range, against Walsall during a 3–0 win. Delph's form attracted the attention of Premier League managers, with Arsenal 's Arsene Wenger reported to be lining up a £6m bid for the midfielder, and Newcastle United having a bid rejected by Leeds chairman Ken Bates .His performances also prompted Stuart Pearce to give Delph his first call-up to the England under-21 squad in November 2008. He was a late substitute for Craig Gardner as England defeated Czech Republic to win his first under-21 cap on 18 November. During the January 2009 transfer window, Leeds rejected another two bids from Premier League for Delph, with Bates saying: "We explained to both clubs that we don't deal in petty cash." The following day he scored a "goal of genuine quality" against Brighton & Hove Albion by finding the top corner of the goal with a curling shot following a long run. Manager Simon Grayson said: "If he scores goals like that, his value is going to go up. It certainly won’t go down.” Despite the attention of Premier League managers, Delph remained with Leeds as the January transfer window closed.