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on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in Bristol on 27 August, but on 18 September 2006 the complaint was withdrawn and police confirmed that no further action would be taken.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