Player Profile: Luke Steele

Name: Luke Steele

Position: Goalkeeper

Squad Number: 1

Date of Birth: 24/9/84

Height: 6`2"

Career Stats:

Peterborough United: 2 Apps
Manchester United: 0 Apps
Coventry City: 37 Apps
West Bromwich Albion: 2 Apps
Barnsley: 30 Apps

Barnsley Career:

Luke Steele joined the Tykes initially on loan in the 2007/08 season, when the first choice keeper Heinz Muller was out injured. Barnsley looked like they would be without a keeper for their F.A. Cup 5th round clash with Liverpool at Anfield. Simon Davey brought in 22 year old Steele, who deputised brilliantly and the Reds achieved a famous victory in injury time through Brian Howard`s winner.

Steele went on to make other match winning appearances between the sticks for the Reds, ensuring their survival in the Championship for a second successive season.

His 2008/09 was inconsistent in that he started as the first choice keeper but soon after Heinz Muller returned to full fitness following his knee injury, Steele found himself back on the bench. He made a return to first team action six months later after some high profile errors from Heinz Muller, seeing out the rest of the campaign and ensuring the Reds survived another campaign.

Following the exit of Heinz Muller to FSV Mainz 05, Steele was handed a new contract and became first choice keeper. His season was blighted early on however when a freak accident in training left him with a broken finger. He has since made his return to first team action and picked up his first clean sheet of the season in the Reds` 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

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