Name : Ryan Giggs

Birthplace : Cardiff, 29/11/1973

Height : 180cm - 5ft 11in

Weight : 68.03kg - 10st 10lb

Full International : Wales (22 caps, 5 goals)

Position : Forward

Squad Number : 11

Debut : 26.02.1991

Appearances (1991-1999) : 354 - 31 as sub

Goals : 75

Ryan Giggs moved to England, from Wales, at the age of seven. He joined Dean's Youth FC where he learned how to play football. His coach at Dean's Youth was Denis Schofield, who referred him to Manchester City, where he played for their school of excellence until he was fourteen years old.

On his fourteenth birthday Alex Ferguson went to Ryan Giggs' home in Swinton, Manchester, to ask him to sign schoolboy forms. Ken Barnes, City's chief scout, had already confirmed they would not be signing him. Their loss was Manchester United's gain, and the rest as they say is history!

At 16, Ryan signed amateur forms (YTS) and turned professional in November 1990, just after his 17th birthday.

His League debut for Manchester United came on 2nd March 1991, against Everton at Old Trafford, as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first League start was in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford at the end of the same season, when he scored the only goal of the match.

Following an injury to Lee Sharpe at the start of the 1991-2 season, Giggs was able to gain a regular first team place, making the left-wing position his own.

Whilst at Manchester United, Giggs has won every domestic trophy, as follows: the League Cup in 1992, League Championships in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997, two FA Cup winners' medals in 1994 and 1996 and an FA Cup runners-up medal in 1995.

In addition to this Giggs has represented Wales at full international level, being the youngest ever player to play for Wales at the age of 17 years and 321 days, when he came on as a substitute against West Germany.

He has also recently captained Wales. As a schoolboy Ryan captained the England Schoolboys team, but this was only because he attended school in England and not because he is English!

Ryan is one of the most talented players currently in the game, a fast winger with an immense amount of skill and a free kick expert. He has scored many memorable as well as important goals for Manchester United.

Did You Know?

His childhood heroes were Mark Hughes and Ian Rush.

His father, Danny Wilson was a Rugby League player for Cardiff and Swinton. Giggs still takes an interest in Rugby League and goes to watch Wigan RL, as often as possible.