Chris Kirkland is an English professional footballer, born in 1981, who currently plays in goal for Wigan Athletic. He began his career at Coventry and became known as one of the best young keepers in the country in 2000/1. He was signed by Liverpool the following season and had his first run in the first team the season after that. Injury then set him back and he didn’t play regularly again until 2004/5 but even that was cut short by injury. He moved to West Brom on loan in 2005 and the first half of the season was very successful until yet again he was struck by injury and fell to second choice keeper at West Brom. He then moved on loan to Wigan in July 2006 and this move became permanent in October 2006. He established himself as the first choice and won the club’s players’ player of the year in 2007/8.
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When his son was 11 Kirkland’s father and a group of friends made bets that Kirkland would play for England before he was 30. They were able to collect £10,000 each when Kirkland came on as a substitute against Greece.
He has expressed the wish to become a fireman when he retires from football.
When Liverpool signed him for £6 million, it was the highest fee paid for a keeper in British history.
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