Midfielder or left-back with plenty of style and an eye for attacking chances. A good passer, he has come through the Southampton ranks to become a key part of the squad.
Fired home a ferocious free-kick from 25 yards to help send Wimbledon down on the final day of the 1999/2000 season. Soon became and England Under-21 international.
Loves to come forward but has also gained many plaudits for his defensive style.
Named Southampton's Player of the Season for 2000/01 - the only outfield player to play every single minute of the Premiership season... for any team.
By the middle of the 2001/02 season, Bridge had become an accomplished Premiership defender - and in February 2002 earned his first England call from Sven Goran Eriksson.
Made his bow against Holland in the Amsterdam ArenA. Was impressive until substituted at half-time with a foot injury.
But the left-footer had done enough to be included for England's next match against Italy at Elland Road.
Beat off competition from Chris Powell and Phil Neville to be named in Eriksson's squad for the 2002 World Cup finals, coming off the bench to face Argentina and Nigeria.
By the end of the tournament, speculation that Bridge would join a bigger club was growing.
Still at Southampton by the start of the new season, he had then played 133 games for the club.
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