Nicky Shorey Bio

Shorey made the move to Villa for the start of the 2008/09 season, after being relegated with Reading.

The left-back attracted attention from Newcastle and Portsmouth, but ultmately decided to move to Villa Park for an undisclosed fee.

Shorey had made the move to a new club much earlier in his career that he expected when he made the switch from Leyton Orient to Reading following a week's trial in February 2001.

Shorey had played only 16 games for the O's before the Royals showed an interest and after he starred in a reserve game against Bristol City they immediately signed him.

The player signed for the Second Division club just nine days before his 20th birthday for an initial fee of £25,000.

Shorey went on to become a key member their promotion winning side of the 2005/06 season and was voted the club's best ever left-back.

He signed a new deal in August 2006 and was influential in the Royals' excellent 2006/07 season in the Premiership. He came second in the club's Player of the Season poll and was awarded for his excellent form with a call-up to the England B squad to face Albania.

With Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge sidelined, Shorey made the step up to the full squad in a friendly against Brazil in June 2007 and put in a solid performance at left-back. However, he was relegated with the Royals at the end of the 2007/08 campaign and in a bid to improve his England chances, the defender made the move to Aston Villa.