Ledley King
FameRank: 6

"Ledley Brenton King" is a former English Association football/footballer who played for Tottenham Hotspur F.C./Tottenham Hotspur. He retired in July 2012. Highly rated as a Defender (association football)#Centre back/central defender, in 2009 he was named by The Times as Tottenham's 25th best player of all time. King made 21 international appearances for England national football team/England.

In the latter part of his career, King was plagued by chronic knee problems, for which no effective treatment or remedy was found. Instead of training with the rest of the squad King undertook fitness exercises on his own, allowing him to play one first team game per week. His former manager Harry Redknapp called King "an absolute freak" for being able to perform at Premiership level despite not training. Whilst playing, King was cited by opponents and pundits as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

King announced his retirement from all forms of football on 19 July 2012 as a result of the chronic knee injuries that plagued much of his career. He continues to represent Tottenham Hotspur on an ambassadorial level.

More Ledley King on Wikipedia.

It is enjoyable, every match is big and that's the way you like them. It is getting very tight up there and it is going to be like that for the rest of the season.

The new deal has taken a while to sort out, but there was never any question about me staying. I just wanted to ensure all the details were absolutely right. I want to captain this club in what is hopefully going to be a very successful period.

I was shocked but I think the lads, regardless of what happens, always stick together. I don't feel there will be a problem with the manager. Even if there was, the players are always together and striving for the same goals, which is to bring the World Cup home. I don't think it will have any negative effect; hopefully it'll have a positive one.

We've got to lift ourselves, we are at home for the next two games and we will go into them with confidence. They have been great and have surprised a lot of people - probably themselves a little bit too. It is going to be a tough game and they will not give any team an easy ride.

Going into the final five games of the season with something still to play for is where you want to be.

It has been a terrific season, one of the best ever whilst I have been at the club. We are a club with a very bright future and I am looking forward to being part of that.