Ben Foster

Location: Warwickshire, England

The Englishman lives with his wife and two children in Tiddington, Warwickshire. He designed their house himself, with particular focus on the kitchen, having trained as a chef in Leamington Spa before he began his football career. (Image: Twitter)

Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, he started his football career as youngster at non-league side Racing Club Warwick and became their first choice keeper in 2000, and in April 2001, turned professional with EFL One club Stoke City. While at loan at Wrexham in 2005, he was spotted by Manchester United manger Sir Alex Ferguson, who decided to move for the young keeper and on 19 July he was a Manchester United player. Not ready for first-team action, the Englishman was sent on loan to EFL Championship side Watford for the 2005/06 season. He made 44 league appearances, and helped Watford win promotion to the Premier League via playoffs, as The Hornets overcame Leeds United 3-0 in the final. He was loaned back to Watford for the following season, the club would finish rock-bottom and get relegated but the goalkeeper showed fine form to be awarded Watford Player of the Season. Upon his return to his parent club the Englishman would win back-to-back League Cup's in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 season, however, he always played second fiddle to first-choice keeper Edwin Van Der Sar, having only 23 appearances to show for in three seasons. On 19 May 2010, the goalkeeper departed Old Trafford to sign for Birmingham City. In his only season at Birmingham, the goalkeeper made 43 appearances, and won the League Cup, as The Blues upset Arsenal in the finals. Despite the highs of cup football, the club would be relegated come the end of the season. The Englishman was awarded Birmingham City Player of the Season and Birmingham City Players' Player of the Season for his outstanding performances. On 29 July 2011, he joined Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on a loan deal that would become permanent over a year later. In his debut season he played in 37 out of 38 Premier League fixtures, keeping 10 clean sheets, equalling The Baggies Premier League clean sheet record, as the club finished in 10th place. He was awarded West Bromwich Albion Players' Player of the Year and West Bromwich Albion Supporter's Player of the Year at the end of the season. During his tenure at the Hawthorns, the goalkeeper kept 57 clean sheets in 223 appearances. On 5 July 2018, after West Bromwich's relegation to the EFL Championship, he signed a two-year contract with Premier League club Watford. The goalie kept 7 clean sheets, appearing in all 38 of the clubs Premier League fixtures.