The Fan Hub

Bale playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Gareth Frank Bale
Date of birth	(1989-07-16) 16 July 1989 (age 23)
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Winger / Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Real Madrid C.F
Number	/
Youth career
2005–2006	Southampton
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Southampton	40	(5)
2007	Tottenham Hotspur	146	(42)
2013 -	[Real Madrid C.F.
National team
2005–2006	Wales U17	7	(1)
2006	Wales U19	1	(1)
2006–2008	Wales U21	4	(2)
2006–	Wales	41	(11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:48, 19 May 2013 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:01, 26 March 2013 (UTC)

Gareth Frank Bale (born 16 July 1989) is a Welsh footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Wales national team as a winger.

Bale began his professional career at Southampton, playing at left back, earning acclaim as a free kick specialist. Since transferring to Spurs in 2007, managerial and tactical shifts have seen him transform into a more offensively-oriented player. Since the 2009–10 season, Bale has played an integral role in Tottenham's success domestically and in the Champions League.

Bale has received plaudits from a number of managers such as José Mourinho, and from fellow players who have described him as a footballer with "tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities". During the 2012–13 season he was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year, the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards.