The Beginning

Theo Walcott is a 25 year-old, English professional Football player who currently runs the wing for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Born in Stanmore, raised in Compton, Berkshire, Walcott took to the game at a very young age. He attended the Downs School in Berkshire and played for his village team before playing for A.F.C. Newbury for a season. In his one season with A.F.C. Newbury, Walcott scored over 100 goals. After rejecting an offer from Chelsea FC’s Academy, Walcott decided to play his football in the Southampton Academy. In the 2005-2006 season, Walcott would become the youngest player in Southampton’s history to play with the squad’s first team at age 16 years and 143 days when he came on as a substitute versus Wolverhampton.

The Gunners

In 2006, Arsenal bought the services of Walcott for $5 Million Pounds and he has been with the Gunners ever sense. After some contractual compromises, Walcott signed a pre-contract agreement with Gunners on 16 March 2006, his 17th birthday.

The 2006-2007 season saw Theo’s Premier League debut when he came on as a substitute on 19 August 2006, opening day of the season against Aston Villa. He notched is first career assist when he set up Gilberto Silva for a goal. Since coming into the Premier League with Arsenal, he has scored 72 goals and is continuing his strong play for the Gunner’s.

Team England

In 2006, Walcott became the youngest English footballer ever to be named to the World Cup Roster at 17 years old. He made is English first team debut in a friendly against Hungary on 30 May 2006. He did not play in the 2006 World Cup. The manager at the time, Sven-Goran Erikkson stepped down after the 06′ WC and his replacement Steve McClaren sent Theo down to the U21 squad where he would become the youngest U21 to ever score.

When it came time for the 2010 WC, Walcott started numerous friendlies and qualifying matches before it was announced on 1 June 2010 that Fabio Capello had left him off the final roster. After England’s exit, Lionel Messi publicly displayed his disagreement with decision. At this point in Theo’s career, he scored 5 goals in 36 international appearances.

Awards and Personal Life

In 2006, Walcott was awarded the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award, an honor given to the person who made the best contribution that year for their respective sport. When Walcott was just 14, he signed an endorsement deal with Nike and has appeared in numerous ads for them sense. He was married to longtime Girlfriend, Melanie Slade in 2013 and their son was born April 2014.