Andrew Taylor (footballer, born 1986)

Club career

Taylor was born in Hartlepool, County Durham. A graduate of Middlesbrough's youth academy, he started out as a left midfielder in the successful 2004 FA Youth Cup campaign with the likes of David Wheater and Adam Johnson.

Middlesbrough

In 2005, Taylor was sent out on loan to Bradford City, making his full debut at his hometown club Hartlepool United.

Taylor was named as a substitute in several UEFA Cup games during the 2004–05 season but did not leave the bench. During the 2005–06 season, Boro reached the FA Cup semi-final and the 2006 UEFA Cup Final. With only Franck Queudrue able to play at left-back, Steve McClaren brought Taylor back from Bradford, where he had impressed on loan. He played in several Premier League matches and the FA Cup semi-final to save Queudrue for the UEFA Cup tie with Sevilla. His impressive form meant he was unlucky to miss out on a starting place against Sevilla.

The arrival of Julio Arca for the 2006–07 season in replacement of the Fulham-bound Queudrue saw Taylor lose his place. After Arca's injury during the first game of the season, Taylor deputised in the left back position and eventually made it his own after impressing Gareth Southgate. He stuck a partnership with fellow Boro academy graduate Stewart Downing on the left wing and is now regarded as the first choice left-back. Taylor signed a one-year extension to his contract in January 2008, which would see him remain at the club until June 2011.

The 2008–09 season was a frustrating one for Taylor as he played only 20 league games due to several injuries. He ended the season on a low note as Boro were relegated after playing out a draw at home to Aston Villa. After starting the 2009–10 season on the bench, he reclaimed his spot in the starting eleven. On 12 September, he sustain an ankle ligament injury in the home win against Ipswich Town and was out for the rest of the month and October. He made the bench for the 21 November game against Nottingham Forest but did not leave the bench.

Taylor joined Watford on loan on 31 August 2010. He scored his first career goal—a stunning left footed volley from outside the penalty area—on 1 January 2011, in a 3–0 win against Portsmouth at Vicarage Road. His loan spell finished on 5 January, and on 17 January, Watford put in a bid for the left back. However, a move failed to materialise. Under new 'Boro boss, Tony Mowbray, Taylor returned to the first team as a left winger. On 19 March, Taylor scored his first Middlesbrough goal against former side Watford, 'Boro won the game 2–1. He later scored two more goals for Middlesbrough against Ipswich Town and Burnley.

At the end of 2010–11 season, Taylor's contract was due to run out and was linked with a move to Cardiff City, where he could re-join former Watford boss Malky Mackay. Another Championship club, Bristol City were also interested in signing Taylor over the summer.

Cardiff City

On 1 July 2011, Taylor agreed terms with Cardiff City, signing a three-year deal with the Welsh club. Taylor immediately became the club's first-choice left-back. He made his debut in 1–0 win over West Ham United on the opening day of the season. Taylor scored his first goal for Cardiff on 27 August, in a 1–1 draw with Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Taylor played in all eight games in the club's League Cup push, and represented City in the Wembley Final against Liverpool. Cardiff were beaten by the Premier League side after a penalty shootout, the game finishing 2–2 after extra time as Cardiff won many plaudits for their performance against an established Premier League side. Cardiff's league form dipped following the cup final, and they ultimately finished the season in sixth position.West Ham United, who went on to win promotion, beat City home and away in their Play-off semi-final meetings.

Taylor signed a two-year contract extension on 16 November 2012, tying him to the Club until 2016. He made forty-three league appearances in his second season in Wales, the third-highest total of any Cardiff player, and was an integral part of the side that won the 2012–13 Championship title, achieving promotion to the Premier League.

Wigan Athletic

On 3 June 2014 Taylor signed for Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal.

Reading (loan)

On 5 August 2015, Taylor signed on loan to Reading.

Bolton Wanderers (loan)

On 10 August 2016, Taylor signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers. making his debut three days later away at AFC Wimbledon as an 85th-minute substitute, replacing Liam Trotter.

Bolton Wanderers

On 25 May 2017, Taylor signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal.

International career

Taylor has been in the youth setup since the Under-17 level, and played at the 2003 UEFA U17 Championships with U21 teammates Mark Noble, Steven Taylor and James Milner. With England qualified for the FIFA World Youth Championship that year, he was again selected in the squad. He was a part of England's Under-19 at the 2005 European Championships, in which they finished runners-up to France. In the summer of 2009, he was called up for the 2009 UEFA U21 Championship in Sweden and finished runners-up to Germany.

Business interests

In August 2009 it was announced that the footballer would be involved in a new business venture called Platinum Players. The website based service is aimed to connect footballers and other celebrities with companies and trades people whose reputability and trustworthiness has been validated. The site is available by invitation-only, and went live on 1 September 2009.