Ledley King (born December 10, 1980 in Bow, London) is a football player and first choice central defender for Tottenham Hotspur. He joined Tottenham as a trainee in July, 1997, and became a professional the following year.
King is very highly rated at Spurs, as a player with much to offer. His has natural pace and strengh allied with his coolness in defense enabled him to enjoy a fine season in 2003-04 - one which resulted with him playing a starring role for England in the Euro 2004 opener against France in Portugal.
King featured for much of the campaign in midfield, a role he took to with considerable success and added some much needed bite and physical presence. Despite playing in an unfamiliar position at club level, he was called into the England squad for the friendly against Portugal in February, and netted a debut goal from central defence.
King received his England summer call-up and duly deputised for the injured John Terry against France Man marking Thierry Henry out of the game - not putting a foot wrong and impressing all with his composure. Ledley also made a substitute appearance in midfield in the final group game against Croatia. He has been capped ten times for England.
Now firmly established as club captain at Spurs, King has continued to make the England squad, albeit as an understudy to John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell. He has also been used in a holding midfield role, and as of 14 November 2005 he has 15 international caps.
His first goal for Tottenham, scored in December 2000 in a 3-3 draw away to Bradford City, was scored in 10 seconds, setting a new Premier League record.
