Shay Given is a goalkeeper who plays for English side Manchester City and the Irish national team. As a teenager Given was in Scottish club Celtic’s youth squad. At 18 he signed for English club Blackburn, who at the time had England international Tim Flowers as their first choice. Shay Given was sent on loan first to Swindon, then to Sunderland. Kenny Dalglish, newly appointed manager of Newcastle United noticed Given at play for Sunderland and made him one of his first signings. Given grabbed the chance and quickly established himself at Newcastle. His performances at Swindon and Sunderland had also already resulted in him being called up for the Irish national team. At Newcastle Given further established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in English football. On 1 February 2009 he signed for Manchester City and City manager Roberto Mancini later described Given as “one of the five best goalkeepers in the world”.
In April 2010 Given dislocated his shoulder in a match which excluded him for the rest of the season. At the start of the 2010/11 season Joe Hart, back from a loan to Birmingham, was chosen ahead of Given as City’s first choice. Joe Hart has consistenty played well and is also England’s first choice goalkeeper. Roberto Mancini further announced that Shay Given may leave the club if he wished to do so.