Villa converted Southgate into a an assured and cool centre-back who has poise on the ball and likes to bring it out of defence.

Remained the club's captain despite asking to be placed on the transfer list before the start of the 2000/01 season. It would be another year before he was to get the move he craved.

A number of clubs, including West Ham and Chelsea, showed interest in the defender but none were willing to meet Villa's asking price. In the end it was Middlesbrough who would snap up the player in a £6.5million deal.

The England International's move to Middlesbrough finally came about in July 2001 - and he renewed his old, successful Villa central defensive partnership with Ugo Ehiogu.

Made his Boro debut in a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Arsenal - not the best of starts!

Southgate played superbly for England during Euro 96 and saved the nation's hide on more than one occasion. However, in the semi-final penalty shoot out against Germany his penalty was saved and England toppled out of the tournament.

The former Villa man, and the nation, got over that disappointment and he returned to the England set-up as a crucial member of Glenn Hoddle's team for qualification for France 98.

Hoddle's successor, Kevin Keegan, preferred the Arsenal partnership of Martin Keown and Tony Adams for Euro 2000 but Southgate has figured greatly in England's post European Championship games.

Has battled to keep a place in the England squad, despite the emergence of younger talent, and can now count himself as the veteran defender.

Had a fine first season with Boro, picking up the Player of the Season award. Was in England's squad for the 2002 World Cup finals, but couldn't dislodge Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell from the side.

And with Paul Ince's decision to leave the Riverside, Southgate took over the captaincy for the 2002/03 campaign.