Aaron Justin Lennon (born 16 April 1987) is an English footballer who plays as a winger for who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team. He is widely regarded to be the quickest player with the ball in the Premier League.[1]

Early life

Lennon's family is of Jamaican, Irish and English descent. He has one older brother and a younger sister and brother. He attended Boston Spa School.[2]

Club career

Leeds United

Born in Chapeltown, Leeds, Lennon began his professional career at Leeds United, where he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 129 days, coming off the bench at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 loss in August 2003.[3] Initially a student at City of Leeds High School, he then continued his studies at Leeds' partner school, Boston Spa School. Lennon gained an assist against Arsenal where Alan Smith got a deft touch onto Lennon's cross shot. He had been a member of the Leeds United Academy for a long time before breaking into the first team setup.

In 2001, he set a record as the youngest player ever to have his boots sponsored when he signed up with Adidas at the age of just 14. Lennon scored his only goal for Leeds against Sunderland on Boxing Day 2004 during a 3–2 win. Lennon had been a regular on the bench up until that point, but when John Oster was sacked Lennon took his place and never looked back and became a regular starter after that point. His pace and skills on the wing excited Leeds fans, and he was one of the star performers in Leeds' first season in the Championship under the management of Kevin Blackwell with his performances earning rave reviews.

His last involvement at Leeds was playing and scoring in Lucas Radebe's testimonial. His older brother Anthony was also at the Leeds Academy, but never made it into the first team as he was involved in a car accident. With Leeds' financial problems Lennon was sold to Spurs for a heavily reduced fee, with a sell on clause inserted into the deal.

Tottenham Hotspur

With Leeds suffering financial difficulties, Lennon made a £1 million move to Tottenham Hotspur in early June 2005.[4] His Spurs debut came a couple of months later in an August defeat against Chelsea. On 18 March 2006, Lennon scored his first Premier League goal in Tottenham's 2–0 victory over Birmingham City at St. Andrew's, early in the second half.

He was nominated by fellow Premiership players for the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2005–06 season, and subsequently again in the 2006–07 season. The awards ultimately went to Wayne Rooney, and to Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United.

Lennon signed a new 5 ½ year deal worth £20,000 a week with Tottenham on 8 January 2007, which will keep him at the club until 2012.[5] He signed an improved deal in March 2009 which contracts him to Spurs until 2014.[6] For the third successive year, in the 2008–09 season, he was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year. The award was ultimately awarded to Aston Villa's Ashley Young. Lennon also won both the Tottenham Hotspur 'Player of the Season' and the 'Young Player of the Season' award in the 2008–09 season.

The winger was named the supporters' Player of the Season for 2008–09. He terrorised left-backs up and down the country during his 47 games in all competitions, earning a new five-year contract at the Club in March 2009 as well as a recall to the England senior squad the same week. Aaron also scored five goals during the campaign, including a memorable last minute equaliser during a 4–4 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in October 2008.

His goals early in the 2009–10 season – against West Ham at Boleyn Ground, and Birmingham City – kept Tottenham at the top of the league table, with four successive wins, their best start to a league season since the 1960–61 season.[7]

On 24 October 2009, Lennon was injured in a match against Stoke; Tottenham were consequently reduced to ten men as Harry Redknapp had used all three available substitutes. However he returned on November 22 in a 9–1 victory against Wigan Athletic. He provided three assists and scored one goal. He was substituted in the 79th minute for David Bentley receiving a standing ovation from the fans at White Hart Lane.

The Tottenham winger suffered a groin injury in December 2009, against West Ham United, which kept him out of the team during the first months of 2010 and in the run up to the 2010 World Cup. He made his return from the groin injury in a 3–1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 24 April.[8]

International career

Lennon was called up to the England U-21 team team for the first time in October 2005 and on 8 May 2006, he was picked in England's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, despite being only 19 years of age and uncapped at senior level.

He was named Man of the match in the England B match with Belarus on 25 May 2006 in England's World Cup warm-up match at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire, which ultimately England B lost 2–1. He made his full England debut as a second-half substitute in the 6–0 win over Jamaica on 2 June.

Lennon came on as a substitute for England in their second group stage game of World Cup 2006 (his first World Cup finals appearance) against Trinidad and Tobago. England scored twice following his and Wayne Rooney's arrival on the field, winning the game 2–0. There were some suggestions amongst fans for him to replace David Beckham on the right side of midfield.[9] Lennon then played in the quarter-final match against Portugal, coming on as a substitute for the injured David Beckham. Lennon was then himself substituted for Jamie Carragher immediately prior to a penalty shootout, in which England lost.

Lennon also came on as a substitute against Andorra during a UEFA Euro qualifier and made an instant impact by assisting Peter Crouch's second goal after receiving the ball for the first time.

Lennon made his first start for England against Israel in a UEFA Euro qualifier on 24 March 2007 and four days later, he was again selected in the first XI against Andorra. This proved to be Lennon's last appearance for exactly two years as it wasn't until 28 March 2009 that he was selected again by England, starting in a friendly match with Slovakia at Wembley Stadium. Lennon started again for England when they played Ukraine on 1 April 2009 at Wembley Stadium, although Lennon was substituted in both games for Beckham.

He was called up for the friendly against Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier versus Croatia, following his fine form for Tottenham,[10] and was named Nationwide Man of the Match for the 5–1 win over Croatia.

Lennon made it into the final 23-man squad with England for the World Cup. Lennon started for England in the opening two fixtures in Englands World Cup campaign; in the 1-1 between the USA and in the 0-0 draw with Algeria.

Personal life

Aaron is currently dating model and actress Montana Manning. They have been dating since 2007.[11]

Honours

Club

Carling Cup: 2007–08

Premier League Asia Trophy: 2010

Individual

Leeds United Football Club 'Young Player Of The Year': 2004–05

PFA Fans' Player of the Month: March 2009

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Player Of The Year': 2008–09

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Young Player Of The Year': 2005–06, 2008–09

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 'Moment Of The Year': 2008–09 (for his last gasp equaliser vs Arsenal in the dramatic 4–4 draw.)

PFA Young Player of the Year (nominated): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09