Aaron Lennon
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aaron Lennon
| image = Aaron Lennon Brighton v Spurs Amex Opening 30711.jpg
| caption = Lennon playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2011
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|4|16|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/35866/aaron-lennon |title=Aaron Lennon: Overview |publisher=ESPN |access-date=27 August 2021}}
| birth_place = Leeds, England
| height = {{convert|1.65|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2270/Aaron-Lennon/overview |title=Aaron Lennon: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=10 December 2017}}
| position = Right winger / Attacking midfielder right
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 2001–2003
| youthclubs1 = Leeds United
| years1 = 2003–2005
| clubs1 = Leeds United
| caps1 = 38
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2005–2015
| clubs2 = Tottenham Hotspur
| caps2 = 266
| goals2 = 26
| years3 = 2015
| clubs3 = → Everton (loan)
| caps3 = 14
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2015–2018
| clubs4 = Everton
| caps4 = 51
| goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2018–2020
| clubs5 = Burnley
| caps5 = 46
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2020–2021
| clubs6 = Kayserispor
| caps6 = 36
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2021–2022
| clubs7 = Burnley
| caps7 = 28
| goals7 = 2
| totalcaps = 479
| totalgoals = 37
| nationalyears1 = 2003
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2004–2006
| nationalteam2 = England U19
| nationalcaps2 = 15
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2005–2008
| nationalteam3 = England U21
| nationalcaps3 = 5
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam4 = England B
| nationalcaps4 = 2
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| nationalyears5 = 2006–2013
| nationalteam5 = England
| nationalcaps5 = 21
| nationalgoals5 = 0
}}
Aaron Justin Lennon ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|r|ən}}; born 16 April 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right winger.
Lennon began his career at hometown club Leeds United, making his first-team debut in 2003 and becoming the youngest player to play in the Premier League at that time. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2005 for £1 million, where he made 364 appearances across all competitions and scored 30 goals. In 2008, Lennon won his first major honour, the League Cup, as Tottenham defeated London rivals Chelsea in the final.
He joined Everton in 2015 for £4.5 million, after his successful spell with the club on loan. He scored nine goals in 77 appearances for Everton before joining fellow Premier League club Burnley in 2018 on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He made 55 appearances for the Lancashire club and scored one goal before departing on a free transfer to Kayserispor in Turkey in September 2020. He returned to Burnley in August 2021 at the expiry of his contract with Kayserispor.
Lennon made his senior debut for the England national team in 2006, and earned 21 caps over the next seven years. He was selected by England for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.
Early life
Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire,{{Hugman|11594|access-date=27 August 2021}} Lennon has a younger brother and a younger sister, and is of Irish and Jamaican heritage.{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/180771/Robert-Green-plays-golf-and-finds-a-ball-game-he-can-get-to-grips-with |title=Robert Green plays golf and finds a ball game he can get to grips with |newspaper=Daily Express |location=London |first=David |last=Pilditch |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=8 December 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.englandplayers.net/football/aaronlennon/index.html |title=England Players Profiles – Aaron Lennon |website=EnglandPlayers.net |access-date=26 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723115235/http://www.englandplayers.net/football/aaronlennon/index.html |archive-date=23 July 2011 }} He attended City of Leeds High School. He was first spotted by scouts when he was eight years old;{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} his older brother Anthony played for Manchester United's youth team.{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Sam |title='Roadrunner' gives England hope of finding Route '66 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-roadrunner-gives-england-hope-of-finding-route-66-6097941.html |access-date=4 September 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |date=17 June 2006}}
Club career
=Leeds United=
In 2001, Lennon joined the Leeds United Academy.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballtop.com/players/aaron-lennon |title=Aaron Lennon. Biography |website=Footballtop.com |access-date=10 October 2016}} He set a record as the youngest player ever to have his boots sponsored when he signed up with Adidas at the age of just 14. Two years later, he began his professional career at Leeds United, where he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 129 days, coming off the bench at White Hart Lane against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2–1 loss in August 2003.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3152277.stm |title=Kanoute grabs Spurs winner |website=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2003 |access-date=10 October 2016}}
Lennon scored his only goal for Leeds against Sunderland on 26 December 2004 during a 3–2 win.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4107129.stm |title=Sunderland 2–3 Leeds |website=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2004 |access-date=10 October 2016}} Lennon had been featuring from the bench up until that point, but he soon took his chance when John Oster was sacked for bad behaviour, becoming a regular starter from then on.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/4128427.stm |title=Leeds sack Oster after incident |website=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2004 |access-date=8 December 2016}} His pace and skills on the wing excited Leeds fans, and he was one of the star performers in Leeds' first season in the Championship under the management of Kevin Blackwell with his performances earning rave reviews.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-v-tottenham-hotspur-lennon-was-sold-on-the-cheap-deane-1-5340783 |title=Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur: Lennon was sold on the cheap – Deane |newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |location=Leeds |first=Leon |last=Wobschall |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
His last involvement at Leeds was playing and scoring in Lucas Radebe's testimonial.{{cite web |url=http://www.socceramworld.com/lucas-radebe-testimonial/4.html |title=The Lucas Radebe Testimonial |website=Soccer AM World |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=24 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826233750/http://www.socceramworld.com/lucas-radebe-testimonial/4.html |archive-date=26 August 2009}} With Leeds' financial problems, Lennon was sold to Spurs for a heavily reduced fee, with a sell-on clause inserted into the deal.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city/tigers-target-former-leeds-teenager-lennon-to-join-relegation-battle-1-7064322 |title=Tigers target former Leeds teenager Lennon to join relegation battle |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |location=Leeds |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
=Tottenham Hotspur=
With Leeds suffering financial difficulties, Lennon made a £1 million move to Tottenham Hotspur on 15 June 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2013-2014/aaron-lennon-poised-for-everton-switch_sto4587518/story.shtml |title=Everton sign Aaron Lennon on loan from Spurs |publisher=Eurosport |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=8 December 2016}} His Spurs debut came a couple of months later in a 2–0 home defeat against Chelsea on 27 August 2005.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4168856.stm |title=Tottenham 0–2 Chelsea |website=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2005 |access-date=17 October 2016}} On 18 March 2006, Lennon scored his first Premier League goal in Tottenham's 2–0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew's.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/report?id=185769&cc=3436 |title=Birmingham 0–2 Tottenham |website=ESPN FC |date=18 March 2006 |access-date=23 August 2011}}
He was nominated by fellow players for the PFA Young Player of the Year for both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, but lost out to Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, respectively.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4903072.stm |title=Chelsea head list of PFA nominees |website=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2006 |access-date=19 October 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6582201.stm |title=Ronaldo secures PFA awards double |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Lennon signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal with Tottenham on 8 January 2007.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6242677.stm |title=Lennon signs long-term Spurs deal |website=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2007 |access-date=1 September 2009}}
On 24 February 2008, Lennon won his first major career honour as Tottenham came from a goal down to defeat Chelsea 2–1 after extra time at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 League Cup Final.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7256729.stm |title=Tottenham 2–1 Chelsea |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson |website=BBC Sport |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=6 February 2018}}
An improved deal was signed in March 2009 which contracted him to Spurs until 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/20/aaron-lennon-tottenham-contract |title=Lennon extends Spurs deal to 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=20 March 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}} Lennon finished the 2008–09 season as the Tottenham Fans' Player of the Season, the club's Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season, and was nominated for a third successive year for PFA Young Player of the Year, this time losing out to Ashley Young.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8019726.stm |title=Giggs earns prestigious PFA award |website=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}} He played in 47 matches in all competitions and scored five goals, including a late equaliser in a memorable North London derby which ended 4–4 and was manager Harry Redknapp's first match in charge.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7684610.stm |title=Arsenal 4–4 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=28 October 2008 |access-date=21 August 2011}} Spurs finished eighth in the league and reached the 2009 League Cup Final, which they lost on penalties to Manchester United after a goalless draw at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm |title=Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet) |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=8 December 2017}}
His goals early in the 2009–10 season – against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground, and Birmingham City – kept Tottenham at the top of the league table with four successive wins, their best start to a league season since the 1960–61 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5527728,00.html |title=Crouch – All up four grabs |website=Sky Sports |date=31 August 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009}} On 24 October 2009, Lennon was injured in a match against Stoke City. Tottenham were consequently reduced to ten men as manager Harry Redknapp had used all three available substitutes and they would go on to lose the match 1–0.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8317280.stm |title=Tottenham 0–1 Stoke |website=BBC Sport |first=Ian |last=Hughes |date=24 October 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}} He returned on 22 November in a 9–1 victory against Wigan Athletic and provided three assists and scored one goal. He was substituted in the 79th minute for David Bentley, receiving a standing ovation from the fans at White Hart Lane.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8365091.stm |title=Tottenham 9–1 Wigan |website=BBC Sport |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |date=22 November 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
File:Aaron Lennon Brighton v Spurs Amex Opening 30711 2 (cropped).jpg in 2011]]
Lennon suffered a groin injury in December 2009 which kept him out of the team during the first months of 2010 and in the run up to the 2010 World Cup.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8529463.stm |title=Aaron Lennon out for six weeks with injury – Redknapp |website=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2010 |access-date=8 December 2016}} He made his return from injury in a 3–1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 24 April 2010, appearing as a second-half substitute.{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-united-3-1-tottenham-report-3359272 |title=Manchester United 3–1 Tottenham: Two Giggs penalties and a Nani stunner keep Fergie's title hopes alive |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=24 April 2010 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
On 28 November 2010, he scored a last minute winner in a 2–1 victory against Liverpool at White Hart Lane after a Benoît Assou-Ekotto long ball.{{cite news |url=https://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/28/tottenham-hotspur-liverpool-premier-league |title=Aaron Lennon's late blast sees Tottenham sink Liverpool |newspaper=The Guardian |first=David |last=Hytner |location=London |date=28 November 2010 |access-date=28 November 2010}} On 15 February 2011, Lennon went on a blistering run as Tottenham counter-attacked and then delivered a perfect pass to assist Peter Crouch in a 1–0 win over A.C. Milan at the San Siro in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.{{cite news |title=AC Milan 0-1 Tottenham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9396732.stm |access-date=4 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 February 2011}}
On 18 August 2011, Lennon scored in a 5–0 win against Hearts in a UEFA Europa League play-off tie.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14486531.stm |title=Hearts 0–5 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |first=Alistair |last=Magowan |date=18 August 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}} He scored his first league goal of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15510798.stm |title=Fulham 1–3 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |first=Neil |last=Johnston |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}} In December, he scored his second goal of the season in a 3–0 win against Bolton at White Hart Lane.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/15901689 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Bolton |website=BBC Sport |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=15 January 2012}} His next goal came on 11 January 2012 in a 2–0 home win against Everton.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/16405895 |title=Tottenham 2–0 Everton |website=BBC Sport |first=Alistair |last=Magowan |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=15 January 2012}}
On 1 September 2012, he signed a four-year deal keeping him at the club until 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19448389 |title=Aaron Lennon signs a new four-year deal at Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2012 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Following that, he was named captain for the first time for a Europa League match against Lazio on 20 September 2012 which ended in a 0–0 draw.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0201-0e7f36ef8cba-f386538242c0-1000--tottenham-held-at-home-by-resilient-lazio/ |title=Tottenham held at home by resilient Lazio |publisher=UEFA |first=Jeremy |last=Inson |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Lennon scored four goals during the 2012–13 season as Spurs finished in fifth place in the Premier League.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/premier-league/2012-13/table.html |title=Premier League 2012–13 Table |website=Sports Mole |access-date=8 December 2016}}
=Everton=
On 2 February 2015, Lennon was loaned to fellow Premier League club Everton for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |title=Aaron Lennon: Everton sign Tottenham winger on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31104228 |website=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2015 |access-date=2 February 2015}} He made his debut for the club as a substitute in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on 7 February.{{cite web |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/02/08/lennon-buzzing-after-derby-debut |title=Lennon 'Buzzing' After Derby Debut |date=8 February 2015 |access-date=2 March 2015 |publisher=Everton F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313064219/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/02/08/lennon-buzzing-after-derby-debut |archive-date=13 March 2015 |url-status=dead }} He scored his first goal for Everton in a 2–1 win against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on 22 March 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/22/qpr-everton-premier-league-match-report |title=Everton sink relegation-bound QPR thanks to late Aaron Lennon goal |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Doyle |location=London |date=22 March 2015 |access-date=23 March 2015}}
He returned to Spurs briefly, for the beginning of the 2015–16 season, but was sent to train with the Under-21 squad and was not given a squad number.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11756696/Aaron-Lennon-trains-with-youth-team-as-Tottenham-exit-draws-closer.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11756696/Aaron-Lennon-trains-with-youth-team-as-Tottenham-exit-draws-closer.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Aaron Lennon trains with youth team as Tottenham exit draws closer |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first=Matt |last=Law |location=London |date=22 July 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/squad-numbers-070815/ |title=2015–16 Premier League squad numbers announced |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015}} On 1 September 2015, Lennon rejoined Everton permanently on a three-year deal for a reported fee of £4.5 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/09/01/lennon-returns |title=Lennon Returns |publisher=Everton F.C. |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=1 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902200930/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/09/01/lennon-returns |archive-date=2 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/2592716/aaron-lennon-joins-everton-from-tottenham-on-three-year-deal |title=Aaron Lennon joins Everton from Tottenham on three-year deal |website=ESPN FC |first=Mike |last=Whalley |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=1 April 2016}} He began 2016 in a rich vein of form, scoring in a 1–1 draw at home to former club Tottenham,{{cite news |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=Everton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35155491 |access-date=4 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=3 January 2016}} and in three successive Everton wins in late January and early February.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-vs-west-brom-preview-aaron-lennon-hoping-to-maintain-impressive-form-against-baggies-a6869891.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220163118/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/everton-vs-west-brom-preview-aaron-lennon-hoping-to-maintain-impressive-form-against-baggies-a6869891.html |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Everton vs West Brom preview: Aaron Lennon hoping to maintain impressive form against Baggies |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |first=Benjamin |last=Youell |date=12 February 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Lennon continued his scoring run in a 3–1 away win at Aston Villa{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35637723 |title=Aston Villa 1–3 Everton |website=BBC Sport |first=Neil |last=Johnston |date=1 March 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}} and he also netted in a 3–2 home loss to West Ham United on 5 March.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35675847 |title=Everton 2–3 West Ham United |website=BBC Sport |first=Patrick |last=Jennings |date=5 March 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}} However, this form proved to be short-lived as results for the team worsened and a poor end to the season led to the sacking of manager Roberto Martínez.{{cite web |url=http://toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Lennon.php |title=Aaron Lennon |website=ToffeeWeb |access-date=8 December 2016}}
The new season had a more frustrating feel as Lennon found himself well down the pecking order when new boss Ronald Koeman took charge of the club. Lennon had played just 14 minutes of football during the first two months of Everton's league campaign{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/time-evertons-aaron-lennon-come-12081522 |title=Is it time for Everton's Aaron Lennon to come in from the cold? |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |first=Glen |last=Williams |date=26 October 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}} with his first league start coming on 19 November 2016 in a home match against Swansea City.{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-team-news-aaron-lennon-12201121 |title=Everton team news – Aaron Lennon and James McCarthy start against Swansea City |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |first=Phil |last=Kirkbride |date=19 November 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
=Burnley=
On 23 January 2018, Lennon signed for Premier League club Burnley for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42792135 |title=Lennon completes move to Burnley |website=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=23 January 2018}} His debut came on 31 January, coming on as a substitute in an away game against Newcastle United which ended in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42799047 |title=Newcastle United 1 – 1 Burnley |website=BBC Sport |first=Neil |last=Johnston |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=9 February 2021}} Lennon did not get on the scoresheet until the following season when he scored his first and only goal for the club came in a September 2018 home game against AFC Bournemouth which finished 4–0.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45530721 |title=Burnley 4 – 0 AFC Bouremouth |website=BBC Sport |first=Tim |last=Oscroft |date=22 September 2018 |access-date=9 February 2021}} He left the club on the expiration of his contract in June 2020 having made a total of 55 appearances.{{cite news|url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/burnley-fans-react-reports-aaron-18458207 |title=Burnley fans react to reports Aaron Lennon has rejected contract extension |website=LancsLive |publisher=Reach |first=John |last=McDougall |date=20 June 2020 |access-date=30 June 2020}}
=Kayserispor=
Lennon joined Süper Lig club Kayserispor on 2 September 2020 on a free transfer.{{cite news |url=https://turkish-football.com/aaron-lennon-set-to-join-turkish-minnows-after-being-released-by-burnley/ |title=Aaron Lennon set to join Turkish minnows after being released by Burnley |website=Turkish Football |first=Emre |last=Sarigul |date=3 September 2020 |access-date=9 February 2021}}
=Return to Burnley=
Lennon re-joined Burnley on 25 August 2021 after the expiry of his Kayserispor contract.{{cite web|title=Burnley transfer news: Aaron Lennon re-joins club after leaving Turkish side Kayserispor|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11708/12390564/burnley-transfer-news-aaron-lennon-re-joins-club-after-leaving-turkish-side-kayserispor|access-date=26 August 2021|website=Sky Sports}} He made his second debut against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup the same day.{{Cite news|title=Hennessey heroics as Burnley progress|website=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58239479|access-date=26 August 2021}} Burnley announced on 10 June that Lennon would leave the club at the end of June when his contract expired.{{Cite web |last=InCrowd |title=BURNLEY FC RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/burnley-fc-retained-list-confirmed |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Burnley Football Club |language=en}}
Lennon announced his retirement from football on 15 November 2022.{{cite news |title=Aaron Lennon retires: Former England winger says 'the time is right' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63632843 |access-date=15 November 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2022}}
International career
Lennon was called up to the England U21 team for the first time in October 2005 and on 8 May 2006, he was picked in England's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, despite being only 19 years of age and uncapped at senior level.{{cite news |url=https://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/may/08/newsstory.sport7 |title=Eriksson gambles on Walcott |newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 May 2006 |access-date=24 August 2011 |location=London |first=Sean |last=Ingle}}
He was named man of the match in the England B encounter against Belarus on 25 May 2006 in England's World Cup warm-up match at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, which England B ultimately lost 2–1.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/commentary?gameId=198168 |title=England B vs. Belarus B – Football Match Commentary |website=ESPN FC |date=25 May 2006 |access-date=8 December 2016}} He made his full England debut as a second-half substitute in the 6–0 win over Jamaica on 3 June.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=69587/profile/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712055839/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=69587/profile/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2010 |title=Aaron Lennon |publisher=UEFA |access-date=8 December 2016}}
Lennon appeared as a second-half substitute for England in their 2006 World Cup group stage match against Trinidad and Tobago (his first World Cup finals appearance). England scored twice following his and Wayne Rooney's arrival on the field, winning the match 2–0.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4853008.stm |title=England 2–0 Trinidad & Tobago |website=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2006 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Lennon then played in the quarter-final match against Portugal, coming on as a substitute for the injured David Beckham. Lennon was then himself substituted for Jamie Carragher immediately prior to a penalty shootout, in which England lost.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991618.stm |title=England 0–0 Portugal (Portugal win 3–1 on penalties) |website=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
Lennon also came on as a substitute during a 5–0 Euro 2008 qualifying victory over Andorra on 2 September 2006 and made an instant impact by assisting Peter Crouch's second goal after receiving the ball for the first time.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/5289630.stm |title=England 5–0 Andorra |website=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2006 |access-date=8 December 2016}} He made his first start for England in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in March 2007{{cite news |title=Strain tells as Steve storms out after pop at press |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/12823504.strain-tells-as-steve-storms-out-after-pop-at-press/ |access-date=4 September 2020 |newspaper=Glasgow Times |date=29 March 2007}}{{cite news |title=Lennon undergoes knee surgery |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/lennon-undergoes-knee-surgery-xc7nlwc6q8z |access-date=4 September 2020 |newspaper=The Times |date=30 March 2007}} and was also selected in the first XI for the following match against Andorra.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6497817.stm |title=Andorra 0–3 England |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=28 March 2007 |access-date=8 December 2016}} This proved to be Lennon's last appearance for exactly two years as he was selected again by England on 28 March 2009, starting in a friendly match with Slovakia at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/5062756/Aaron-Lennon-hits-his-stride-at-just-the-right-time-to-give-England-cutting-edge.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/5062756/Aaron-Lennon-hits-his-stride-at-just-the-right-time-to-give-England-cutting-edge.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Aaron Lennon hits his stride at just the right time to give England cutting edge |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Alan |last=Smith |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7967094.stm |title=England 4–0 Slovakia |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=28 March 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}} Lennon started again for England when they played Ukraine on 1 April 2009 at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7973880.stm |title=England 2–1 Ukraine |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=8 December 2016}}
He was called up for the friendly against Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier versus Croatia, following his fine form for Tottenham,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8229098.stm |title=Capello recalls Crouch and Lennon |website=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009}} and was named man of the match in the 5–1 win over Croatia.{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Sam |title=Lennon turns on the style as England crush Croatia |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/lennon-turns-on-the-style-as-england-crush-croatia-1784575.html |access-date=4 September 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |date=10 September 2009}}
Lennon was named in manager Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7792523/England-World-Cup-squad-announcement-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/7792523/England-World-Cup-squad-announcement-live.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=England World Cup squad announcement: live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |first1=Mike |last1=Norrish |first2=Rob |last2=Kelly |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=8 December 2016 |location=London}}{{cbignore}} At the tournament in South Africa, he started in England's opening two fixtures; the 1–1 draw against the United States and in the 0–0 draw with Algeria.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_05/default.stm |title=England 1–1 USA |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |access-date=8 December 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_23/default.stm |title=England 0–0 Algeria |website=BBC Sport |first=Phil |last=McNulty |access-date=8 December 2016}}
After a two-year absence, Lennon was recalled to the England squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland in October 2012,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19828475|title=England call up Ryan Shawcross and Aaron Lennon|date=4 October 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 February 2022}} appearing as an early substitute in the San Marino match and providing the cross for Danny Welbeck's first goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19860360|title=England 5-0 San Marino|date=12 October 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 February 2022}} He won his final cap in a friendly against Brazil in February 2013, missing the following month's World Cup qualifiers due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=916|title=916 - England 2-1 Brazil|work=englandstats.com|access-date=22 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/sports/football/lescott-called-up-to-england-squad-dawson-and-lennon-injured_758261.html|title=Lescott called up to England squad; Dawson and Lennon injured|date=18 March 2013|work=Zee News|access-date=22 February 2022}}
Personal life
On 30 April 2017, Lennon was detained under the Mental Health Act 2007. He was taken to hospital "for assessment" after police were called to reports of danger to a man's life in Salford. Lennon was said to be "receiving care and treatment for a stress-related illness", Everton reported.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39788226 |title=Aaron Lennon: Everton winger detained under Mental Health Act |date=3 May 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=3 May 2017}}
In March 2019, he spoke about the incident, and said that other players had asked him for advice.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47546064|title=Aaron Lennon: Burnley winger says other players approached him about mental health struggles|date=12 March 2019|website=BBC Sport}}
Career statistics
=Club=
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Leeds United
|2003–04{{soccerbase season|36113|2003|access-date=27 August 2021}} |11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05{{soccerbase season|36113|2004|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!38 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="11"|Tottenham Hotspur
|2005–06{{soccerbase season|36113|2005|access-date=27 August 2021}} |Premier League |27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07{{soccerbase season|36113|2006|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |26 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in UEFA Cup}} | 1 | 43 | 5 | |
| 2007–08{{soccerbase season|36113|2007|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 9{{efn|name=UC}} | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
| 2008–09{{soccerbase season|36113|2008|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |35 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UC}} | 0 | 47 | 5 | |
| 2009–10{{soccerbase season|36113|2009|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 3 | ||
| 2010–11{{soccerbase season|36113|2010|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|36113|2011|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | 32 | 4 | |
| 2012–13{{Soccerbase season|36113|2012|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |34 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 46 | 4 | |
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|36113|2013|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2014–15{{soccerbase season|36113|2014|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!266 | 26 | 19 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 58 | 2 | 364 | 30 | |
| Everton (loan)
|Premier League |14 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Everton
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|36113|2015|access-date=27 August 2021}} |Premier League |25 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|36113|2016|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18
|Premier League |15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 77 | 9 | |
| rowspan="4"|Burnley
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|36113|2017|access-date=27 August 2021}} |Premier League |14 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|36113|2018|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|36113|2019|access-date=27 August 2021}}
|Premier League |16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 19 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!46 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 55 | 1 | |
| Kayserispor
|2020–21{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/aaron-lennon/190/ |title=A. Lennon: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=27 August 2021}} |36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 0 | |||
| Burnley
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|36113|2021|access-date=27 August 2021}} |Premier League |28 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 2 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!479 | 37 | 29 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 66 | 2 | 607 | 43 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{NFT player|14357|name=Lennon, Aaron|access-date=27 August 2021}} | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="8"|England
|2006 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 21 | 0 |
Honours
Tottenham Hotspur
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{UEFA player}}
- {{FIFA player}}
{{Navboxes
| title = England squads
| bg = white
| fg = #CF081F
| bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| list1 =
{{England squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{England squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lennon, Aaron}}
Category:Footballers from Leeds
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players
Category:Kayserispor footballers
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:England men's B international footballers
Category:England men's international footballers
Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Turkey
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:21st-century Black British people
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent