Getting To Know Curtis Davies

Earlier today, Derby County moved to bolster their defensive options by completing the signing of Curtis Davies from Hull City.

After becoming Gary Rowett’s first signing, dcfc.co.uk has taken a look back at his career that started from writing to a host of local football clubs in the hope of earning a chance and led to him forging a reputation for being a leader, winner, and consistently solid performer at the highest level of the game.

Age: 32
Position: Defender
Nationality: English
Previous Clubs: Luton Town, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Hull City

His Background

Born in Leytonstone, Curtis Davies’ resilience for the cruel nature of football was developed early doors.

Released by Wimbledon at the age of 16, the young defender needed an opportunity and he wrote to every football club in the local area, including Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall asking for a trial.

Colchester United were the first to respond – two weeks before any other club – and after undertaking a couple of trial matches, Davies was delivered his second blow and he was, again, released.

Luton Town came calling next.

In three trial matches, the defender scored two goals and impressed heavily – enough to earn a scholarship and the opportunity he had been craving. From that point, Davies never looked back.

Shooting For The Stars At Kenilworth Road

Davies made a quick impression as a young player on the books of Luton Town and after signing for the Hatters in 2001, his first team debut came two years later.

He made seven appearances over the 2003/04 campaign, impressing immediately enough to be a first team regular the following year.

The 2004/05 season could not have gone any better. Davies made 48 appearances in all competitions and helped Luton seal promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.

His form saw him voted as the club’s Young Player of the Year, whilst he was also recognised as League One’s Player of the Year and named in League One’s Team of the Year.

This was a player destined for big things and in the summer of 2005, he was on his way to the Premier League.

Making His Name In The Top Flight

On 31st August 2005, West Bromwich Albion moved to bring Davies to the Hawthorns in a deal worth £3 million.

Still only 20-years-old at this time, Davies became an instant starter for the Baggies – he made 33 Premier League appearances – but he could not prevent them from being relegated at the end of the 2005/06 season.

Despite being back in the Championship, he pledged his future to the club and was instantly appointed as West Brom’s Captain, becoming the club’s second youngest skipper of all-time.

He was again a regular, playing a vital role as Albion finished fourth – behind Derby – whilst his form also saw him named in the PFA Championship’s Team of the Season, but a metatarsal injury curtailed his campaign and he was unable to feature in the showpiece Play-Off Final between the two sides at Wembley.

Back fighting fit, Davies was soon on his way back to the Premier League with Aston Villa on a one-year loan deal, but, again, he was hugely impressive and made a permanent switch to Villa Park.

A regular again in the top flight, the defender got his chance to feature on the European stage and wore the captain’s armband when Villa faced Slavia Prague in the group stages of the Europa League.

A frustrating 2009/10 season saw his time at Villa Park effectively come to an end.

Rebuilding His Career Down The Road

After falling down the pecking order at Villa, Davies was on the move again in 2010 as he linked up with Leicester City on an initial one-month loan deal.

Back in the second tier for the first time since 2007, he was a rock for the Foxes in the 12 games he played for them and it didn’t take long before the Premier League was calling again.

Birmingham City swooped to take him on a permanent deal from Aston Villa that January and whilst he could not save the Blues from relegation, he remained at St Andrew’s and sought to prove himself once more.

A consistent starter over their mammoth 2011/12 season – which saw Birmingham playing in a European competition for the first time in nearly 50 years – Davies made 54 appearances in all competitions, helping Birmingham claim a play-off finish, and was named in the Championship’s Team of the Season.

Despite the Blues struggling the following year, he was named as Birmingham’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year, with Lee Clark, then manager, labelling him as a ‘rock’.

Four Years To Remember In East Yorkshire

Davies joined Hull City in the summer of 2013 and he won’t forget his years at the KC Stadium anytime soon.

After guiding the Tigers to safety in their first season back in the top flight, he was named as the club’s Player of the Year and also captained the club as they reached the Emirates FA Cup Final.

He even scored to put his side 2-0 up, before Arsenal roared back to win 3-2 at Wembley.

Injury ended his 2014/15 season early as Hull were relegated in 2015, but he bounced back to a key figure again as they returned to the Premier League at the first time of asking via the play-offs.

It may have ended in relegation for Hull last season, but there is no doubt that Davies arrives at Pride Park Stadium with a wealth of pedigree behind him.