Phil Jagielka

Philip Nikodem Jagielka (/jəˈɡjɛlkə/ or /ˌdʒaɡiˈɛlkə/; born 17 August 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL Championship club Derby County.

Jagielka started his career with Sheffield United in 2000, where he played mainly as a central midfielder. He helped them achieve top-flight status for the 2006–07 season, after which he joined Everton for a £4 million fee. He later captained the club from 2013–2019, and totalled 385 games. He left Everton in 2019 after 12 years and returned to former club Sheffield United.

Debuting in 2008, he received 40 England caps during his international career and was included in the England squads at UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Club Career

Sheffield United

Jagielka made his way through the youth ranks at Sheffield United before making his first-team debut on 5 May 2000 against Swindon Town in the final First Division match of the 1999–2000 season, whilst still a trainee. He was rewarded with a professional contract the following day and having progressed well at the start of the following season, he signed a three-year deal with the club in January 2001.

He established himself in the Sheffield United first-team in the 2002–03 season and started to attract the attention of other clubs, including Leeds United, who were linked with a £6 million joint bid for Jagielka and United teammate Michael Brown, but Sheffield United said they would resist any attempts to sign the players.

Jagielka stated in April 2005 he was happy to stay at United, despite several Premier League clubs being interested in signing him. United manager Neil Warnock told West Ham United in June 2005 that Jagielka would not be sold, and in July Wigan Athletic made a £4 million bid for Jagielka, after which United upped their valuation of him. By November, Jagielka had been linked with a £4 million move to Bolton Wanderers, but United manager Neil Warnock said there had been no contact from Bolton.