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Shaun Maloney




  Fullname Shaun Richard Maloney
  Weight 10st 12lbs
  Cityofbirth Miri
  Countryofbirth Malaysia
  Currentclub Aston Villa
  Clubnumber 28
  Position Midfielder / Striker
  Youthyears 1999-2001
  Youthclubs Celtic
  Years 2001-2007 <br> 2007-
  Clubs Celtic <br> Aston Villa
  Caps(goals) 104 (26)<br>9 (2)
  Nationalyears 2002-2005<br>2005-
  Nationalteam Scotland U21 <br> Scotland
  Nationalcaps(goals) 20 (6)<br>7 (1)
  Pcupdate 28 August 2007
  Ntupdate 8 September 2007


Shaun Richard Maloney was born in Miri , Sarawak , Malaysia on January 24 , 1983 , and is a Scottish international Footballer currently playing for English Premiership club Aston Villa . He plays as an Attacking Midfielder or Striker .

JUNIOR CAREER

His family moved to his mother's home-town of Aberdeen , Scotland when Maloney was 5 years old.
At a young age, Maloney found a love for sport, particularly Football and Tennis . By the age of 10, he had joined his first football club, Kincorth Boys' Club. He played regularly for his Primary School Team, St. Joseph's. At 12, he moved to Culter Boys' Club then at 14, to Albion Boys' Club.


PROFESSIONAL CAREER


Celtic

After joining Celtic Team as a trainee in 1999, he made his first team debut on 29 April , 2001 against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium . Celtic went on to win the game 3 - 0. He spent the next few years trying to break into the first team, spending most of his time as a substitute.

In February 2004, Maloney picked up a Cruciate Ligament injury while playing for the Scotland U21 team. He returned from the injury late on in season 2004/2005, starting only one game in that season.

Maloney was in lethal form for Celtic in the 2005/2006 season, his displays receiving praise from players, fans and the media throughout the year. In recognition of his excellent season he was awarded both the SPFA Player Of The Year and Young Player Of The Year awards, marking the first time a player has won both plaudits. He also won Celtic Fans' Player of the Year, and Players Player of the Year in a season which saw him score 16 goals and contribute 28 assists upfront alongside Welshman John Hartson.

With his contract expiring at the end of the 2006/7 Season Celtic moved to offer Maloney a new deal. However, contract negotiations continued for months, constantly breaking down due to differences between the two parties, Chief Executive Peter Lawwell asserted that Celtic "cannot keep players at any cost" 1 while Maloney warned that "In situations like this one, both parties have to be completely happy with the outcome." He also promised that the prolonged contract talks wouldn't affect his football and that he hoped he wouldn't have to consider leaving the club in the future.2 With the realisation that Maloney would be able to leave for free by signing a pre-contract with another club in January 2007, the Celtic support feared the worst, recalling Jackie McNamara's Departure .

No new contract was agreed with Celtic and eventually a £1 million tranfer to Aston Villa was agreed, where Maloney would play under his old boss Martin O'Neill .