Having come from nowhere to earn an FA Cup Final place in 2003, Baird has yet to recreate his Southampton form at Craven Cottage
One of a triumvirate of Northern Ireland internationals brought to the club by Lawrie Sanchez during his short spell at Craven Cottage, right back-cum-centre-half Baird signed in the 2007/08 close season in a deal worth just over £3 million.
A string of impressive performances with Southampton en route to the 2006/07 Championship play-off semi-finals – he was voted fans’ Player of the Year – alerted a handful of clubs to his progress, but Baird opted to join his former international boss.
He struggled to find a spot after Roy Hodgson’s arrival, but his robust tackling makes him a first pick for his country.