Kieran Richardson (born 21 October 1984 in Greenwich,
London) is an English football player with Manchester United
He is a left-sided midfield player who is also comfortable in
the middle. He was schooled at the private and nonselective
Riverston Independent Day School in Greenwich, London.
Kieran first began playing football at his primary school (Parkwood
Primary School) and his talent was very apparent at this young
age, he was made captain of his school team and was invited
along with another young player to train with Arsenal F.C.
His father would then move to West Ham United F.C. where he
would begin training professionally and later move to Manchester
United.
He made his first appearance for Manchester United on 23 October
2002 against Olympiakos and scored his first goal on 5 November
2002 against Leicester City F.C. in the League Cup, although he
had yet to make his Premiership debut for the club.
He was loaned to West Bromwich Albion F.C. on 29 January 2005.
Richardson scored a goal in his first game on loan and made a
great impact at the Midlands club, playing a major role in their
improbable escape from relegation.
He was a late call-up for England's 2005 trip to the United
States, and scored twice against the hosts on his England debut.
One goal was a free kick, and the other scored from open play.
Prior to this, he had gained 4 Under-21 caps for England.
For season 2005-06 Richardson declined a further loan spell at
West Brom in an attempt to win a regular place at Old Trafford.
He has been in initial first team squads and has also appeared
further for England.
Richardson also returned to the Under-21 squad for his fifth and
sixth caps, coming in both legs of the England U-21s' crucial
European Championships qualification playoff against France,
which they lost 3-2 on aggregate.
The decisive goal came in the 85th minute of the second leg,
when Richardson brought down Chelsea F.C.'s Lassana Diarra in
the box and the resulting penalty was converted.
Sir Alex Ferguson has complemented Kieran Richardson as being
one of the best players to come through Manchester United's club
academy. Kieran is currently played sparingly for Manchester
United, occasionally filling in on the left of defence in place
of the injured Gabriel Heinze, or as a midfielder where the team
are currently short on numbers.
Outside football, Kieran is a talented artist, excelling at
drawing. |
