Leroy Lita

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Leroy Lita bigraphy, stories - Footballer

Leroy Lita : biography

28 December 1984 –

Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita (born 28 December 1984) is a footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side. He has also played on loan with Charlton Athletic, Norwich City and Birmingham City.

Personal life

On 30 August 2006, Lita was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in Bristol on 27 August, but on 18 September 2006 the complaint was withdrawn and police confirmed that no further action would be taken.

International career

England U21 breakthrough

Lita turned down the chance to play for DR Congo in favour of pursuing an international career with England, despite having previously stated he wished to represent the country of his birth. He scored on his debut for England U21 with a goal against Holland U21 in a 2–1 loss on 8 February 2005, coming on as a second half substitute. He had to wait over a year to make his second appearance, again as a substitute, in a 3–1 win over Norway on 28 February 2006. Following excellent goal-scoring form in the Premier League, Lita was awarded with a further cap as a substitute in the 2–2 draw with Spain on 6 February 2007, scoring his second goal in three international appearances.

2007 European U21 Championship

Despite being 22, Lita was eligible to compete in the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, and was called up to the squad.

In the first group game against the Czech Republic, England were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute which Lita subsequently dragged wide condemning England to a scoreless draw. However he then scored for England in each of their next three games; a 2–2 draw against Italy, a 2–0 win over Serbia, and a 1–1 (13–12) penalty shoot-out loss to Holland in the semi-finals.

After the tournament he was named in the UEFA Dream Team for the tournament.

Career statistics

Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bristol City 2002–03 Division Two 15 2 1 2 0 0 2One appearance in Football League Trophy, one in Football League Second Division play-offs 0 18 4
2003–04 Division Two 26 5 2 0 1 0 2 0 31 5
2004–05 League One 44 24 2 1 2 2 3Appearances in Football League Trophy 2 51 29
Bristol City total 85 31 5 3 3 2 7 2 100 38
Reading 2005–06 Championship 26 11 3 3 3 1 32 15
2006–07 Premier League 33 7 3 4 2 3 38 14
2007–08 Premier League 14 1 2 0 2 1 18 2
2008–09 Championship 10 1 1 0 1 0 12 1
Reading total 83 20 9 7 8 5 100 32
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2007–08 Championship 8 3 8 3
Norwich City (loan) 2008–09 Championship 16 7 16 7
Middlesbrough 2009–10 Championship 40 8 0 0 1 0 41 8
2010–11 Championship 38 12 1 0 2 0 41 12
Middlesbrough total 78 20 1 0 3 0 82 20
Swansea City 2011–12 Premier League 16 2 1 0 1 0 18 2
Birmingham City (loan) 2012–13 Championship 10 3 10 3
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2012–13 Championship 14 5 9 3
Career total 305 89 16 10 15 7 7 2 343 108