Charlie Adam
Scotland

  • Full name Charlie Adam
  • Birth date December 10, 1985
  • Birth place Dundee, Scotland
  • Current age 38 years 109 days
  • Height 6 ft 1 in
Charlie Adam in action for Stoke
Profile

There is little doubt that Charlie Adam benefited hugely from having a team built around him and a manager to believe in his talents whilst at former club Blackpool. The fact that he failed to sparkle in the SPL with Rangers is shocking considering the impact he made in his debut season in the Premier League. As Blackpool showed they weren't in the top flight just to make up the numbers, his stock rose steeply and the club had to fight tooth and nail to keep him in January, 2011, especially when he handed in a transfer request.

After bids from Birmingham and Aston Villa a move to Liverpool - for whom he later did join - looked certain, only for the Merseysiders to initially fail to meet Blackpool's valuation. The Reds were so determined to get their man though that they came back to tie up the deal six months later.

Adam emerged as a key figure in Liverpool's medfield under Kenny Dalglish as lengthy injuries to central midfielders Steven Gerrard and Lucas guarnateed him an extended spell in the starting line-up. Liverpool went on to win the Carling Cup in February 2012 - their first trophy in six years - but fell out of favour whe Dalglish departed to be replaced by Bredan Rodgers in the summer. On the final day of the August transfer window Adam completed a move to Stoke City, making his debut the following day.

Starting out with Rangers, Adam was sent on loan to obtain first-team experience. A stint with Ross County helped in this respect and he did extremely well at St Mirren, winning both the Scottish Challenge Cup and the Scottish First Division title. He spoke of having Paul Le Guen's faith when signing a four-year contract at Ibrox on his return and performed well in midfield, earning the club's Young Player of the Year award. But after the French coach left, Walter Smith had to defend the player when supporters started booing him and, although he pledged to stay and fight for his place, a loan deal was agreed with Blackpool on deadline day in February, 2009.

The Seasiders paid a club record £500,000 to make the move permanent and he helped fuel their shock promotion to the Premier League with a starring role all season, followed by goals in the Play-Off semi-final with Nottingham Forest and final against Cardiff. Ian Holloway is on record as saying he is Adam's biggest fan and he continued to thrive on the responsibility at the top level, attracting plaudits from up and down the country as he scored away at Liverpool and Manchester United, his playmaking ability earning regular starts with Scotland.

Kenny Dalglish was determined to bring Adam to Liverpool during the summer of 2011 and the midfielder finally got his move for £7 million. Now charged with the job of filling the void left by Xabi Alonso, Adam is part of a new chapter being built at Anfield.

Strengths: Showed the failure to secure a move would not affect his performances in the tangerine shirt by continuing to inspire his team as captain. Indeed, his mental strength has always been an asset according to those who know him best. A top-class passer, Adam possesses a great dead-ball delivery, worth £10 million alone according to Sir Alex Ferguson, and his vision is up there with the best in the division.

Weaknesses: His stamina has been questioned and he's not the most mobile of midfielders, with his weight a hot topic during his time in Glasgow, even though he does get forward to very good effect. Still unpopular with some of the Rangers support for his performances north of the border, whether he can translate his current form to a bigger stage is up for debate. A red card early in his Liverpool career at Tottenham also highlights a loose grasp of how to tackle effectively.

Career high: As underdogs on the big stage against Cardiff in the Play-Off final, a key moment arrived when Adam lined up a free-kick with his trusty left foot. An excellent shot left David Marshall groping at thin air and quickly cancelled out Michael Chopra's early opener. Blackpool went on to win 3-2 and their captain lit up Wembley with his performance.

Career low: Rangers fans turned on Adam and one of his low points came in a UEFA Cup fixture against Panathinaikos. Unable to break down the resolute Greek side, he toiled along with his team-mates and caused a scuffle when volleying the ball into the visiting dug-out as the half-time whistle was blown. He was substituted after being jeered by the frustrated Ibrox faithful.

Style: Pass master, footballing quarterback and set-piece maestro, a genuine playmaker.

Quotes: "Blackpool fans idolise good people like Sir Jimmy Armfield and Sir Stanley Matthews. I'm sure Charlie will be a Sir one day and follow in the footsteps of these legendary club figures." Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, 2010.

Trivia: He may have scored direct from a corner against West Ham in 2011 but he netted from the halfway line against St Mirren during his stint at Ross County.

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Dec 21, 2011

Charlie Adam strikes his penalty

Dec 18, 2011

Craig Bellamy celebrates scoring with Charlie Adam

Nov 27, 2011

Charlie Adam drills the ball at goal

Aug 27, 2011

Charlie Adam celebrates his goal

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