Born: Rasharkin, Northern Ireland, 25 February 1982
Position: Full back, centre back, central midfielder
International caps: 79
International goals: 0
Signed: 12 July 2007 from Southampton (£3.025m); 18 February 2016 from Derby County (loan)
Fulham debut: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham, 12 August 2007
Fulham appearances: 172
Fulham goals: 4
Honours: UEFA Europa League runners-up (2009-2010).
Sold: 1 July 2013 (released); 1 May 2016 (loan return to Derby County).
Chris Baird endured a difficult start to his Fulham career but his never-say-die attitude and fearsome commitment eventually made the Northern Irishman a cult hero. He struggled at right back in the early days under Lawrie Sanchez as part of a leaky back four, but began to impress once Roy Hodgson switched him to centre half. Baird came into his own when tried in midfield during Fulham’s Europa League run, famously helping the Whites overcome a three-goal deficit to knockout Juventus, and the former Southampton man became a key figure in Fulham’s fortunes after that.
Baird delivered reliable displays whether playing at full back on either side of the defence or in a holding role in midfield, from where he produced peerless switches of play. He even popped up with crucial goals, such as the brilliant brace that saved Mark Hughes’ managerial career at Stoke City over the festive period in 2010, and headed a fine winner against Aston Villa in 2012. He was one of twelve players released in the summer of 2013 but returned to Craven Cottage on loan from Derby in 2016.
