Ian Harte

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Ian Patrick Harte (born August 31, 1977 in Drogheda) is an international footballer for the Republic of Ireland national football team who is currently a free agent.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Leeds

Harte joined Leeds United from Irish club Home Farm in 1995. He played for Leeds for nine seasons and was an integral part of their team alongside his uncle Gary Kelly. Occasionally his passing let him down, and at one point when Leeds bought Dominic Matteo it looked as though Harte might become second choice. Thanks to injury, Matteo ended up playing at centre half and Harte kept his place on the left. Harte is also a proficient left-footed free kick and penalty taker, and has scored from several set pieces for the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] Spain

Despite rumours, earlier in his career, that clubs including Barcelona and A.C. Milan were offering Leeds as much as £11 million for for his services, in the end it was Spanish side Levante that signed him from Leeds United in 2004, following the financial crisis at Leeds. Harte was released by Levante at the end of the 2006-07 La Liga season.

[edit] Sunderland

On the 29 August 2007, after a trial period, it was announced that he had joined former national team mate Roy Keane at Sunderland. ^[1] He was initially signed on a one year contract, but was subsequently transfer listed in January 2008 by Roy Keane.^[2] Harte made his Sunderland debut as a late substitute in the clubs 3-2 defeat away at Arsenal. It was reported in May 2008 that Ian Harte's contract will not be renewed for next season and on 4 June 2008, along with seven other players, he was officially released by Sunderland after only one year at the club.^[3]

[edit] International career

Harte has played for the Republic of Ireland on 64 occasions, scoring 11 goals. He was handed his international debut in 1996 against Croatia having made just four appearances for Leeds and earned a regular starting berth for the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign.

However, as his club career flourished post 1998, he found himself out of the reckoning at international level though he returned for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and was the only player to play every minute as Ireland reached the World Cup for the first time in eight years. He also notched up four goals during the campaign — from left back — including a penalty against Iran in the play-off though he struggled at the World Cup because of a toe injury and the emergence of John O'Shea restricted his appearances under Brian Kerr.

He was recalled to the team for the home match against Israel on June 4, 2005 and the away game in the Faroe Islands four days later. Harte scored in both games, which marked his return to the Irish senior football set-up.

He is married to Laura and they have two daughters, Kaia (4) and Lily (5 Months).

[edit] Career Stats

[edit] References

v • d • e Republic of Ireland squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Given • 2 Finnan • 3 Harte • 4 Cunningham • 5 Staunton • 6 Roy Keane • 7 McAteer • 8 Holland • 9 Duff • 10 Robbie Keane • 11 Kilbane • 12 Kinsella • 13 Connolly • 14 Breen • 15 Dunne • 16 Kiely • 17 Quinn • 18 G. Kelly • 19 Morrison • 20 O'Brien • 21 Reid • 22 Carsley • 23 A. Kelly • Coach: McCarthy