It is a little known fact that 'Speedo' is not so nicknamed because of his surname, but rather because he is a fan of undersized swimwear
The Premier League’s record appearance holder has enjoyed an illustrious career, which began with Leeds United in 1988. At Elland Road he won the First Division championship in 1992, featuring prominently as an attacking midfielder from the left flank with exceptional aerial presence – hence his 39 goals in 248 appearances for the club.
Having moved to Everton for £3.6m in July 1996, he skippered the club before moving on again, this time in February 2008 for £5.5m to Newcastle, where he featured in the FA Cup Final defeats of 1998 and 1999.
Any Bolton fans who objected to Sam Allardyce paying £750,000 for a near 35-year-old in 2004 soon ate their words as the 86-cap Welshman helped them into Europe twice in three years, picking up some coaching experience toward the end of his Reebok tenure.
Sidelined under Sammy Lee and Gary Megson but keen to play on, Speed joined the Blades in January 2008 and has hinted the 2008-09 season may be his last.