And an outstanding Old Trafford career hit new heights at the end of the 2007/08 season as he surpassed Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record as he played his 759th first-team game for United in the Champions League final against Chelsea.
He was actually christened Ryan Wilson before taking on his mother's maiden name.
Having been snatched from under the eyes of Manchester City, Giggs made his first league start in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford in 1990/01 and scored the only goal of the match.
In 1991/92 he became first-choice left-winger at Old Trafford, winning every domestic trophy as the club swept all before during the 1990s.
One of the most talented players in world football, his main asset is his ability to use his skills at a top speed quicker than just about any defender in the game. He has also weighed in his fair share of important goals for Manchester United, including a wonder solo strike in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
The 1999/2000 season was probably his best in a glittering career and was rewarded with a new terrace anthem, "Giggs will tear you apart", sang to the tune of Joy Division's "Love will tear you apart". He followed that success in the following season.
Though 2001/02 was a curate's egg for Giggs, with the same old hamstring injury hampering him, he gave some match-winning performances, especially as an auxiliary forward supporting Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was rewarded by being in the PFA Team of the Season for the umpteenth time.
But the 2002/03 season saw Giggs suffer a loss of form and endure barracking from the United fans. Talk of a move to Inter Milan, who tracked him for some time, continued throughout the campaign.
His biggest error came in the FA Cup against Arsenal when the ball broke to him just outside the box. He shimmied round the goalkeeper and, with the goal at his mercy, somehow managed to fire over the bar with his right boot.
But his performances improved as United won the title.
The winger enjoyed a good season in 2003/04, although he suffered heartbreak with Wales who came so close to making it into the finals of Euro 2004, losing to Russia in the play-offs.
He picked up yet another FA Cup winners' medal that season, and weighed in with 8 goals.
After sorting out contract troubles he will now look to see out his playing days with United.
The pace may be waning but his skills remain.
Giggs started the 2006/7 season like a train and continued to be consistent throughout, though perhaps a little on the wane as the season drew to an end.
He gave up international football for Wales in June 2007, citing the fact that he wanted to continue at the top for his club as long as possible.
Another Premier League-Champions League double in 2007/08, coupled with his new appearance record, was a further triumph.
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