Signed on a five-year contract on 25 August 2009 by long-time admirer Mark Hughes, who had earmarked the Everton and England defender as a key element in his new-look team.

Born and raised in Birmingham but scouted by Wolverhampton, Lescott made his senior debut at 17 against Sheffield Wednesday at Molineux in August 2000. Fans voted him young player of the year, an accolade that was repeated the following season.

He helped Wolves reach the Premier League by beating Sheffield United 3-0 in the 2004 play-off final at Cardiff but had to sit out the next season after major knee surgery and the team were relegated.

He returned to fitness to claim the player of the year award and was transferred to Everton, making his Goodison debut in August 2006. Regular accolades followed, particularly in 2007-08 when he weighed in with ten goals in all competitions.

Lescott won caps at Under-18, Under-20, Under-21 and England B levels before being called up for the senior squad by Steve McClaren in September 2007. He made his debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Estonia a month later.

He was a strong contender for England's World Cup squad but his 2009-10 campaign was disrupted by injury, and when he missed the last nine games of the season Fabio Capello omitted him from the 30-strong provisional squad. 

Joleon Lescott's Gallery

Joleon Lescott - #askjoleon

Joleon answers a variety of questions about the club via Twitter.

Joleon Lescott - Exclusive

Joleon tells us how good life is at the moment, a recently married man and a new project off the field at the ready. The England centre-back also admits he knows players' qualities more in depth due to EA Sports Fifa.

Joleon Lescott - FA Cup Final reaction

Joleon shares his delight on winning the FA Cup, which he described to a boyhood dream.