After helping Wigan Athletic earn promotion from the old Division 2 to the Premier League in the space of a couple of years, Leighton Baines began to establish himself as one of the most promising left-backs in England and his performances soon attracted the attention of the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal. However, with the Kirkby-born player content with life in the North-West, he penned a new contract with the Latics as they became a regular fixture in the top flight.
However, after making 72 appearances in two years of Premier League football, Baines made the decision to depart the club. He would reject a move to Sunderland, but on this day in 2007, he agreed a transfer to Everton for a fee that could potentially rise to £6m. The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract on Merseyside to join a club that he had supported since his childhood.
After completing the move, Baines told the club's website: "I am very happy now it is all done and I am looking forward to getting on with it. I think people knew this was the place I wanted to come and I am glad now that it is all done. I am a local lad and all my family support Everton so it's good to be here at last."
© Getty Images
Baines's career at Goodison Park began positively enough as he featured for the Toffees in both domestic and European action. He featured in losing efforts to both Manchester United and Liverpool but he was part of the team that overcame Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Cup first round. However, injuries and the form of Joleon Lescott put Baines in and out of the side for the remainder of his first campaign at the club, and he ended the year having made 29 appearances in all competitions.
The following 12 months proved to be a breakthrough period for Baines, who capitalised on Lescott being moved into the centre of defence to establish himself as the club's first-choice left-back. He also featured in wins over Liverpool and Manchester United during a run to the FA Cup final, before Everton lost to Chelsea. Nevertheless, it was a time of progress from both a personal and team perspective for Baines and he soon found himself being introduced to the England setup under Fabio Capello, although he couldn't earn a place in the squad for the 2010 World Cup Finals.
However, Baines's only rose higher during the 2010-11 campaign. The defender, now 25, played in every minute of Everton's 38 games in the Premier League as well as netting five goals - three more than he had scored during his first three seasons at the club. Baines also swept up at the club's awards evening, but his displays were forcing Everton to fend off increased interest in his signature.
© Getty Images
Between 2011 and 2013, Baines continued to enhance his reputation in both defensive and offensive areas of the pitch. A dozen goals were netted in 86 appearances in all competitions, the kind of form that made him the inevitable number one choice of David Moyes when he started the search for a left-back after his switch to Manchester United. At one point, it seemed only a matter of time before Baines linked up with his former boss, but he remained on Merseyside and in January 2014, he penned a new four-year deal with the club.
"I've loved every minute of being here since I first joined in 2007 and I couldn't be happier," Baines told the Everton website after committing his future to the Toffees.
Of the United speculation, he added: "Of course it was on my mind at times away from the pitch because I was getting asked about it everywhere I went, but I hope the supporters could see that I didn't let it affect me at all once I crossed the white line. I've never been one to relish the limelight so I suppose I'm glad that the speculation will go away now."
Eighteen months after penning the contract and Baines remains happy at the club, despite their struggles in the Premier League during the last campaign. Ahead of the start of the new season, he has scored 31 goals in 318 appearances for his boyhood club and with Baines due to be 33 years old at the end of his existing deal, it would come as no surprise if he went on to see out the remainder of his career at Everton.
