Leigh Griffiths
 |
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Leigh Griffiths | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ???-??? | Hibernian | ||
| ???-??? | Falkirk | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2009 | Livingston | 47 | (22) |
| 2009–2011 | Dundee | 46 | (21) |
| 2011– | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008–2009 | Scotland U19 | 6 | (1) |
| 2008– | Scotland U21 | 3 | (1) |
| 2009– | Scotland B | 1 | (1) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 January 2011 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2010 | |||
Leigh Griffiths (born 20 August 1990) is a Scottish football striker signed to English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His strong scoring record at Scottish First Division clubs Livingston and Dundee, earned him a move to Wolves in 2011, aged 20.
Club career
Livingston
Griffiths made his debut for Livingston as a sixteen-year-old, after coming on as an 82nd minute substitute during a 3–1 defeat to Airdrie United on 30 December 2006.[1] He went on trial at Premier League team West Bromwich Albion in April 2009 and impressed enough to warrant a move. However, Tony Mowbray's departure as manager saw Griffiths' chance of a move ended.
Dundee
On 25 June 2009, Griffiths completed a £125,000 move to Scottish First Division rivals Dundee,[2] despite having an offer rejected for the player back in April.[3] Griffiths later revealed that he had rejected contract talks with Hearts, citing his belief he would benefit from more first team football at Dundee and Hearts' then defensive playing style as the reasons.[4] In January 2011 Livingston claimed that they have yet to receive payment from Dundee. Dundee have denied the claim but it has raised doubt over the future transfer of the player.[5]
Wolves
On 27 January 2011, Griffiths signed for English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a two-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee (believed to be £150,000), after he successfully completed a two week trial.[6]
International career
Griffiths was selected for the Scotland B side that played Northern Ireland B at the end of the 2008–09 season, and he scored the third goal in a 3–0 win. He was a regular for Scotland at Under 19 level,[7] and has since been selected to play for the Under 21 team. His first goal for Scotland U21 was on his second call up on 2 March 2010 where he equalised against Azerbaijan after being brought on as a substitution just a minute earlier.[8]
Personal life
Griffiths is currently engaged to Linzi McCartney, who helped raise funds along with other WAGs to get Dundee out of administration. They are expecting a baby sometime next year as well as getting married. In 2010 he was charged with driving without a licence and without insurance.[9]
Honours
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 2009-10
- September 2009: First Division Player of the month[10]
References
- ^ "Livingston 1–3 Airdrie Utd". BBC Sport. 30 December 2006.
- ^ "Dundee sign Griffiths from Livi". BBC Sport. 24 June 2009.
- ^ "Livi reject Dens' Griffiths move". BBC Sport. 30 April 2009.
- ^ "Love Leigh". The Scottish Sun. 8 August 2009.
- ^ "Love Leigh". The Courier. 17 January 2011.
- ^ "Wolves to complete Griffiths deal". wolves.co.uk. 26 January 2011.
- ^ "Der Junge, den sie „Sparky" nannten". Transfermarkt.de. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ "Scotland 2-2 Azerbaijan". UEFA. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
- ^ "Dundee striker Leigh Griffiths Driving Charges". BBC Sport. 10 April 2010.
- ^ "Griffiths gets young player award". BBC Sport. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
External links
- Leigh Griffiths at Soccerbase