Grant Leadbitter

Early life Leadbitter was born in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. He grew up in Fence Houses as a Sunderland fan, and joined the Sunderland youth academy at the age of 16. He progressed through the ranks and represented England at the U19 level in 2002, scoring against Brazil to help England finish in the top four in the league tournament.

Club career Sunderland Leadbitter's first professional appearance for Sunderland came as a substitute in a League Cup defeat against Huddersfield Town in September 2003. Before obtaining a regular first-team place at the club, he was loaned to Rotherham United in September 2005, where he scored once against Swansea in five league games. After his loan stay in Hibernian, he began to be selected regularly by then manager Mick McCarthy, and played in 11 of Sunderland's final 14 matches of the season.

After Sunderland's relegation in 2006, Leadbitter stalled on contract talks, with many predicting he was aiming to attract the attention of a Premier League club after his impressive displays during the previous season. However, a contract was subsequently agreed with the player claiming he only ever wanted to stay with Sunderland and, henceforth, Leadbitter played an important role in the Black Cats' revival under the management of Roy Keane. Leadbitter took part in every one of Sunderland's games in the 2006–07 season and contributed seven goals, ranking as the club's third top scorer of that season. On Sunderland's return to the Premier League, Leadbitter continued to feature regularly with Keane, even making comparisons with Paul Scholes (he allegedly wears the number 18 shirt in honour of his hero Scholes). In June 2008 Leadbitter signed a new contract with Sunderland, keeping him at the club until 2011.

On 4 October 2008, Leadbitter scored a memorable goal against Arsenal after just coming off the bench. The 25-yard goal was celebrated in emotional style, as he ran over to his manager and had his head on the floor, nearly in tears. This emotional celebration was because his father, Brian Leadbitter, had died just weeks beforehand and his ashes had been buried right on that spot under the grass on the Stadium of Light. He made his first-appearance on 12 September, starting in a 3–1 loss to Middlesbrough. He scored his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest on 15 September, netting the opening goal in a 1–1 draw. Leadbitter became a first-team regular during his first season at Portman Road, making 40 appearances in all competitions and scoring 3 goals. following the departure of David Norris. On 10 March, he scored a brace as Ipswich came from behind to draw 2–2 with Hull City. Following a spell on the sidelines due to injury, Ipswich manager Paul Jewell gave the captain's armband to Carlos Edwards, who remained as the captain for the remainder of the season. He made 36 appearances during the 2011–12 season, scoring 5 goals. Leadbitter scored on his debut in a 7–3 pre-season friendly win against Falkirk. He scored his first league goal on 30 November 2012 in a 2–3 away defeat against Birmingham City. Leadbitter scored twice as Boro lost 3–2 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2013. After a string of consistent performances throughout the 2012–13 season, Leadbitter was awarded Middlesbrough's player of the season in his first season at the club.

On 7 May 2016, Leadbitter won promotion to the Premier League with Middlesbrough after a 1–1 draw at home against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Return to Sunderland Leadbitter re-signed for Sunderland on a free transfer in January 2019. He was named captain at the start of the 2019–20 season. In February 2020, he was given an extended leave of absence from the club for personal reasons, returning for pre-season in July. On 14 September 2021 Leadbitter announced his retirement from football, most notably winning the EFL Trophy with the club in his final season.

International career Leadbitter came on as a late substitute replacing Gabriel Agbonlahor, in a 2–0 win in England Under 21s 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification group, against Bulgaria. He featured again for England U21 on 25 March 2008 and made his final appearance in a 0–0 draw against Poland U21, not being picked after that and turning 23 soon after.

Career statistics

Honours Sunderland Football League Championship: 2006–07 EFL Trophy: 2020–21; runner-up: 2018–19

Middlesbrough Football League Championship runner-up: 2015–16

Individual Middlesbrough Player of the Year: 2012–13 PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 Championship