Profile on Gary Cahill

DOB: 19 December 1985

Place of birth/Nationality: Sheffield, England

Position/Squad Number: Defender: 24

Family/Early Days

Cahill began his career with AFC Dronfield, a Sunday League team in Derbyshire, where he played until he was 15. During his time there, he was scouted by a number of clubs, including Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Aston Villa whom he signed for as a member of the club’s Academy.

Cahill previously played for Burnley on loan and during his spell, which began in November 2004, he was handed the accolades of Burnley’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, and scored once in the league, against Stoke City. He made his Aston Villa debut as a substitute in the 5–0 defeat at Arsenal and impressed on his first start in the local derby game against West Bromwich Albion. Just a week later he scored his first goal, an overhead kick against rivals Birmingham City.

On 19 September 2007, Cahill joined Sheffield United on a three month loan deal (although he supports city rivals Wednesday).

Bolton Wanderers scout Colin Harvey was impressed by Cahill and on 30 January 2008, Cahill joined Bolton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half year deal. On 2 February 2008 Cahill made his league debut for Bolton in their 2–0 victory over Reading.

In August 2009, 18 months after joining Bolton, Cahill signed a new three year contract with the club.

Chelsea Career

Cahill signed for Chelsea on 16 January 2012 for a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million.

Awards/Key Moments

Aston Villa

■ Goal of the Season Winner: 2005–06

Burnley

■ Player of the Year Winner: 2004–05

■ Young Player of the Year Winner: 2004–05

Bolton Wanderers

■ Players’ Player of the Year: 2008–09

Previous Clubs

2004 – 2008 Aston Villa

– (loan) 2004-2005 Burnley

– (loan) 2007 Sheffield United

2008 – 2012 Bolton Wanderers

2012 – Chelsea

International Career

Cahill was one of a number of uncapped players in Stuart Pearce’s first squad as England U21 coach. He was not chosen to start the match, against Spain. His first under-21 cap for England was the first game at the new Wembley Stadium, where he partnered Anton Ferdinand at the centre of the England defence. His final of four caps came in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, where he made one appearance. Cahill was called up to the England squad for the match against Kazakhstan on 4 June 2009 following the withdrawal of Rio Ferdinand, but had to wait over a year for his first cap, until he came on as a second half substitute for Michael Dawson against Bulgaria.

Until he played for England he was also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through an Irish grandparent. However, his then manager at Bolton and former Ireland international, Owen Coyle has said that Cahill only wanted to represent England.

On 2 September 2011, in his first competitive start, Cahill scored his first international goal for England against Bulgaria in the qualifying rounds of the 2012 Euro tournament.

Quotes from Player

“Chelsea is a massive club, it is a club that looks to win trophies season in season out and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can’t turn down.” – January 2012

“There’s no disguising the fact I am out of contract at the end of the season, so there will always be speculation … For me, it’s just a matter of keeping focused and playing football and trying to play at the top of my game. I will deal with it when and if it comes. Nobody has a crystal ball so no-one has a clue what will happen. I am contracted to Bolton and they have been fantastic – we will deal with whatever is in front of me if and when it arrives.” – December 2011

“I think sometimes the relief is when you are playing football away from whatever is going on away from the football pitch” – December 2011

“It’s been a rollercoaster season for me, and it’s been really tough at club level” – November 2011

What the fans say…

@lizbussey

“A good defender who scores goals”

@felidhino

“Technically gifted with pace “