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Andre Wisdom

Player profile

Wisdom was born in Leeds but it was Bradford City who spotted his potential in local junior football and invited him to join their youth set-up. It wasn't long before bigger clubs were showing an interest in the defender and Liverpool made their move in January 2008 when Wisdom was still only fourteen-years-old. The fee that Liverpool paid was undisclosed but it is believed that Bradford City were properly compensated for losing one of their outstanding young players and that further amounts will be paid linked to his progress. The Yorkshire club were sorry to see him leave but their joint-chairman said at the time, "It's evidence that we've started to produce good youth. This time three years ago it wouldn't have happened so we must be doing something right. Clubs are looking round all over for talent and they've seen what we are producing here. Andre wanted to move on and it's a great chance for the lad so we couldn't hold him back but if he doesn't make it at Liverpool he's said he will return."

Gary Ablett was so impressed with what Wisdom had to offer that he picked him in a squad for a reserve match soon after the youngster’s fifteenth birthday. Although officially an Under-16 player, Wisdom became a regular for the Under-18s and was an important part of the team that reached the FA Youth Cup Final in 2009, only to lose to Arsenal over two legs. He proved his versatility during this period of his development, being as comfortable at full-back as he was as a central defender. Wisdom was also being closely watched by the England staff. He won the Victory Shield with England’s Under-16 team in 2008 and took part in the Under-17 European championships in Liechtenstein in May 2010. England reached the final to face Spain. Midway through the first half a shot deflected into the England net off young Wisdom but he recovered his composure immediately, so much so that eight minutes later he strode upfield to head the equalising goal from a corner. A couple of minutes before half-time Conor Wickham guaranteed England’s first age-group title since 1993, the cup being collected by Conor Coady, Wisdom's captain at their club as well as at international level.

Incoming manager Roy Hodgson was quickly aware that he had a very promising player available to him and Wisdom was allocated the Number 47 shirt in his first-team squad. Wisdom's reward for his progress was a place on the bench in the club's final Premier League match of the season at Aston Villa in May 2011. Yet Wisdom didn't figure in a senior matchday squad in 2011/12. Martin's Kelly injury early on in the 2012/13 season opened the first-team door for Wisdom under new boss Brendan Rodgers and he has had little problems adapting so far. He is strong and quick, has good heading ability and is a massive physical presence. He signed a new long-term contract for the club in January 2013.

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