Born: Leeds, 20 September 1985
Position: Goalkeeper
Signed: 4 June 2008 from Darlington (£350,000)
Fulham debut: Fulham 2-1 Everton, 13 September 2009
Fulham appearances: 52
Fulham goals: 0
Honours: UEFA Europa League runners-up (2009-10).
Sold: 28 July 2014 to Brighton and Hove Albion (£900,000).
David Stockdale signed for Fulham from Darlington for an initial fee of £350,000 fee in June 2008. He earned first-team experience during loan spells with Rotherham and Leicester City before making his Fulham debut in the 2-1 Premier League victory over Everton in September 2009. He was in goal for Fulham’s first Europa League group game – a 1-1 draw at CSKA Sofia – and earned a contract extension in December 2009.
After impressing in a further loan at Plymouth Argyle, he was promoted to first choice by new manager Mark Hughes in the summer of 2010 after Mark Schwarzer submitted a transfer request having been denied the chance to talk to Arsenal over a potential move. He made ten appearances in 2010-11, including keeping a clean sheet at Bolton on the opening day and saving a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Stockdale stood in for Schwarzer under Martin Jol but went out on loan to Ipswich and Hull City, who he helped win promotion back to the Premier League, after the Dutchman signed compatriot Maarten Stekelenburg to replace Schwarzer. Stockdale, who was twice called up to the England squad without winning a full cap, briefly became Felix Magath’s first choice goalkeeper but was sold to Brighton and Hove Albion in July 2014. He helped Albion win promotion to the Premier League in 2016/2017 – and is currently first choice keeper for Sheffield Wednesday.
