Name in native country: Leighton John BainesPlace of birth: Kirkby
Height: 1,70
Nationality: England
Position: Defence - Fullback, left
Foot: left
Nickname: Bainesy
Chant: Shake it up Bainesy now...
Baines was voted into the PFA Team of the Year in 2012 and was arguably Everton's best player during the 2011/12 season.
Did You Know? Baines began his career as a left-winger at the Liverpool Centre of Excellence. He also represented the Merseyside boys team, but his career went no further at Liverpool. After interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers he joined Wigan Athletic.
In July 2007 Baines rejected a move to Sunderland, after their bid of a reported £6 million was accepted by Wigan. In the following month he signed for Everton for an initial fee of £5 million, with another £1 million in add-ons, dependant on Baines' appearances for Everton.
He did not play regularly in his first season, making just 29 appearances in all competitions, due to an injury and the good form of Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo at centre back which kept Joleon Lescott at left back.
His second season at Everton saw an increase in Baines's playing time. Due to an injury to Yobo, Lescott moved to the centre of defence and Baines played at left back.
He was voted Player of the Month at Everton two months in a row in the 2008–09 season. Baines scored his first ever Everton goal against Portsmouth on 21 March, at Fratton Park, after 57 games (in all competitions) without scoring.
On 30 August 2009, he scored a last minute penalty in a 2–1 win over his former team Wigan. A month later, he captained Everton for the first time in a UEFA Europa League match against AEK Athens F.C.. He also scored a late penalty in a 3-1 FA Cup game against Carlisle United.
In the 2010–11 campaign Baines played every minute of Everton's Premier League games, as well as scoring seven goals in all competitions.
His contribution was rewarded with the club's Player of the Season, Players' Player of the Season, and Goal of the Season awards.
Two of those goals were free kicks against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. The goal against Chelsea was voted Everton Goal of the Season.
He also contributed 11 assists throughout the season and was 5th overall in the League and was the league's highest assisting defender.
During the 2012-13 season Baines again impressed both for Everton and England. His form did dip in the latter part of the season however he was still head and shoulders above any other left back in the league.
