LEON OSMAN

Leon Osman has risen through the ranks at Everton and is yet another Academy starlet to make the progression into the first team.

His dreams of becoming a professional footballer were almost shattered in 2001 when he suffered a serious knee injury.

That injury kept him out of action for almost a year, but he has bounced back in style.

A midfielder who combines excellent passing and vision with an eye for goal, he forced his way into David Moyes’ first-team plans with loan spells at Carlisle United and most notably at Derby County.

Following his spell at Carlisle, he went from strength to strength and was rewarded with a taste of senior action towards the end of the 2002/03 season.

Ossie then went on loan again, this time to Derby where he put in some delightful displays, scoring three goals in 17 appearances.

He soon made his first start for Everton, in May 2004 against Wolves - scoring his first goal for the Club after just three minutes.

Leon became a first-team regular during the 2004/05 season and was rewarded with a new long-term contract in the summer of 2005.

He followed that up with a strong showing in the 2005/6 season, scoring four goals and being one of Everton’s most consistent performers in the latter part of the campaign.

Leon consolidated his position in 2006/07, making 37 appearances and netting three goals.

Osman scored the Blues’ first goal of the 2007/08 season against Wigan and followed it up with another goal in the 3-1 win over Spurs.

Ossie broke his toe in December 2007 but returned to playing in January, when he also signed a new deal with the club that will keep him at Goodison until 2012.

And the local lad was one of Everton’s best performers in the second part of the season, prompting suggestions that an England call could be in the offing.

In 2008/09 Osman continued to perform solidly in Everton’s midfield, finishing the campaign with a splendid brace at Fulham that took his season goals tally to seven.

He began 2009/10 in decent form, scoring memorably against Stoke in October and also captaining the Toffees before a foot problem ruled him out until December.

Ossie returned and was his usual consistent self in the second part of the season when Everton were in excellent form.

Osman signed a new contract in 2010/11 and ended the campaign in splendid form, the highlight of which was his brilliant headed winner against Manchester City in May.