In the 2004–05 season, he starred in the Southampton youth side that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup against Ipswich Town. In addition, he became the youngest person to play in the Southampton reserve team at 15 years old, when he came off the bench against Watford in September 2004.

Before the start of the 2005–06 season, Walcott linked up with the first team's tour of Scotland, just two weeks after leaving school. The striker then went on to become the youngest-ever player to play for the Southampton first team at 16 years, after coming on as a substitute in Southampton's 0-0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League Championship.

Walcott made his full first team debut away to Leeds United on 18 October 2005, scoring his first senior goal in the same game. His performances soon attracted attention from the British media, who saw him as one of the most promising young English talents of his time. There was speculation that Theo would move to the Premiership and media reports linked him with some of the league's top clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. In 2006 Theo signed for Arsenal, making his Premier League debut on 19 August 2006, coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa and setting up a goal for Gilberto Silva. His Champions League debut came in the second leg of Arsenal's third qualifying round match against Dynamo Zagreb, where Walcott became the youngest ever Arsenal player to appear in European competition. During stoppage time his cross beat the Dynamo defence and Mathieu Flamini scored, giving Walcott a record of two assists in two substitute appearances. However his first start came in a home league game against Watford on 14 October 2006. Walcott's exploits with Arsenal and with the England team earned him the prestigious award of BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award at the end of 2006.

Theo's first goal for Arsenal came in the 2007 League Cup Final against Chelsea, becoming the second-youngest goal scorer in a League Cup final. His first home goals were scored in a Champions League match against Slavia Prague, which Arsenal won 7-0 and he scored his first two Premiership goals in a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City at St. Andrews on 23 February 2008.

During the 2008-09 season, Theo has established himself as a first team regular, starting many games on the right midfield. In November 2008, he dislocated his right shoulder while training with England for a friendly against Germany, but he made a full recovery by April 2009.

In May 2009, Theo signed a new four year contract with Arsenal.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER:

Theo was a surprise inclusion in Sven-Göran Eriksson's preliminary England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. It was on 30 May 2006 that he became the youngest ever England player to play a full international game by appearing in England's friendly against Hungary at Old Trafford, aged 17 years and 75 days. However, despite being one of only two fully fit strikers in the England squad, he did not play during the tournament. Eriksson defended his decision, claiming the experience has served him well for future tournaments.

It was on 15 August 2006, that Theo became the youngest player ever to score for the England national under-21 football team when he scored the opener after three minutes in England's 2-2 draw with. The game against Moldova was his first cap for the England under 21s. Scoring two goals against Germany, Theo helped seal England's qualification for the Under-21 European Championships, in the playoff second leg in October 2006.

On 6 September 2008, Theo made his first competitive senior start in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, and in the following match against Croatia on 10 September he opened his senior international goals tally and became the youngest player in history to score a hat-trick for England.

HONOURS:

• BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year: 2006

CURRENT SPONSORS:

Nike

USEFUL LINKS:

Keysports Management (www.keysports.co.uk)

Arsenal FC (www.arsenal.com)

Football Association (www.thefa.com)

Nike (www.nike.com)

Willow Foundation (www.willowfoundation.org.uk)

Football Foundation (www.footballfoundation.org.uk)

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