Leeds
United (England), Levante UD (Spain), Aston Villa FC (England)
Honours
-
Biography
Ian Harte (born August 31, 1977 in Drogheda) is an international
footballer for the Republic of Ireland national football team.
His current club, Levante UD, signed him from Leeds United in
2004. Harte joined Leeds United from Irish club Home Farm FC in
1995. He played for Leeds for nine seasons and was an integral
part of their team alongside his uncle Gary Kelly.
Harte is widely regarded as being one of the best free kick
takers in World Football, but his defensive frailties have meant
that he is not regarded as an excellent player. He is also a
proficient penalty taker, and has scored many set pieces for the
Republic of Ireland.
Harte has played for the Republic of Ireland on 64 occasions,
scoring 14 goals. He was handed his international debut in 1996
against Croatia having made just four appearances for Leeds and
earned a regularly starting berth for the 1998 World Cup
qualifying campaign. However, as his club career flourished post
1998, he found himself out of the reckoning at international
level though he returned for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and
was the only player to play every minute as Ireland reached the
World Cup for the first time in eight years. He also notched up
three goals during the campaign — from left back — including a
penalty against Iran in the play-off though he struggled at the
World Cup because of a toe injury and the emergence of John
O'Shea has restricted his appearances under Brian Kerr. Was
recalled to the team for the home match against Israel on March
26, 2005 and the away game in the Faroe Islands three days later.
Harte scored in both games, which marked his return to the Irish
senior football set-up.
Ian is keen for a move away from Levante fc after their
relagation to the Spanish second division. Speculation is rife
that an agreement has already in principal, been agreed with
English Premiership side Aston Villa FC. Harte would be seen as
the perfect solution to what has been a troubled left side for
Villa.
