Wayne Michael Bridge is an English football player who currently features for Brighton & Hove Albion on loan from English and European giants Manchester City. He plays as a defender, mainly as a left fullback.
Bridge developed at the Southampton youth academy and made his senior debut for the club on the opening day of the 1998-1999 season. The following week he made his first senior start in a 5-0 defeat away to Charlton Athletic. Bridge made occasional appearances for the Saints in the first few seasons but from the 2000-2001 season he became a regular.
Bridge played a then record 113 consecutive matches for Southampton until January 2003 and was signed by Chelsea for 7 million pounds in the 2003 season after having made 151 Premier League appearances for the South Coast club.
| Position | Defender |
| Height / weight | 1.8 m / 68 kg |
| Born | 5 Aug 1980 |
| Nationality |
England
|
| Nickname | Bridgy |
| Team History | |
Reading
|
2013 - 2014 |
Brighton
|
2012 - 2013 (loan) |
Man City
|
2009 - 2013 |
Sunderland
|
2012 (loan) |
West Ham
|
2011 (loan) |
Chelsea
|
2003 - 2009 |
Fulham
|
2006 (loan) |
Southampton
|
1998 - 2003 |
Bridge was initially a regular starter but since the arrival of foreign players in his position and of Ashley Cole, he had to be contended with appearances as a substitute. In 2009 Bridge made the move to Manchester City and after an initial good start, dropped down in the pecking order.
Bridge played for West Ham United and Sunderland on loan in 2011 and 2012 respectively, before joining Brighton on loan for the 2012-13 campaign.
Bridge earned his first full cap for England on February 13, 2002 against the Netherlands and participated in the Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup finals. His final appearance for the Three Lions was against Brazil on November 14, 2009, as he announced his retirement from international football on February 25, 2010. Bridge scored one goal in 36 international matches for his country.
