Joseph Christopher Ledley (born 23 January 1987) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.
He started his career with then Championship side Cardiff City where he spent six years. He helped the club to the FA Cup final in 2008 and to the 2010 Championship play-off final. In 2010, he moved to Celtic on a free transfer. He won the Scottish Premier League title in his second season with the club in 2012 and both the league and the Scottish Cup in 2013. He signed for Crystal Palace in January 2014 and played three and a half Premier League seasons for them.
Ledley has played for Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels, before making his full debut in 2005. He has since gone on to make over 70 international appearances and has captained his country on several occasions. Ledley was in the Welsh squad that reached the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2016.
Early life and career Ledley was born in Cardiff, growing up in the Fairwater area. He attended Cantonian High School, where he was captain of the school football team. His schoolboy picture is displayed in the school to this day.Local hero Ledley reaps rewards, BBC News, 8 April 2008; Retrieved 14 April 2008 He played several sports when he was younger, but only ever wanted to be a footballer.
He grew up supporting Cardiff City and joined the club's youth system aged nine. During his later years as a trainee he was in charge of cleaning then captain Graham Kavanagh's boots. He continued to clean them for several months after breaking into the first team, this was to stop him from getting carried away with his new position.When Ledley took a shine to Kav, South Wales Echo, 13 September 2006; Retrieved 5 August 2012
Club career
Cardiff City
2004–05 Ledley was called into the first team during the 2004–05 season, while still only 17. He made his debut in the League Cup, on 21 September 2004, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 4–1 win over Milton Keynes Dons He made his league debut the next month, on 16 October, in a 2–0 win over Rotherham United, again coming on as a substitute. Three days later he had his first start for the club in a 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, he had several chances to score during the match including a header that hit the woodwork. After the match, Cardiff's goalscorer, Lee Bullock said that Ledley had been brilliant in his first start; creating chances as well as having some himself. Manager Lennie Lawrence said that he thought Ledley hadn't been fazed at all by the occasion and didn't look like he was making his debut.Bluebirds praise teenager Ledley, BBC Sport, 20 October 2004; Retrieved 3 October 2007 Ledley's first goal for Cardiff came, on 2 November, in a 4–1 victory over West Ham. He brought the ball down from a cross before beating the keeper, Stephen Bywater, with a right foot drive. After this match Ledley's manager and teammates were again full of praise for the youngster. Striker Paul Parry said that Ledley's goal was brilliant and with the way he had been playing, creating so many chances for himself, it was no surprise that he had got his first goal. Manager Lawrence also said that he was impressed with other aspects of Ledley's play. He thought that Ledley had shown incredible maturity during the match, saying that Ledley had, "an old head on a young pair of shoulders". He was also impressed with Ledley's positional play, pointing out how Ledley had tracked back late in the match to cut out a scoring opportunity for West Ham United, when other defenders hadn't seen the danger.Parry pleased for Ledley, BBC Sport, 3 November 2004; retrieved 3 October 2007
On 4 February 2005 he committed his future to Cardiff City, signing a new long-term contract with the club. This was shortly after he had won a call up to the Wales under-21 squad. A month later he scored a vital goal, to earn three points for Cardiff as they beat Sheffield United 1–0. Ledley's season ended in April as he suffered a fractured metatarsal bone in training. Before this he had played 32 times for Cardiff City and had also earned three Wales under-21 caps. His performances had provided a major boost for Cardiff City in what was a poor season for them as they were in relegation trouble at the bottom of the Championship and were suffering financial troubles as well. Lawrence said that he hoped Ledley would stay at Cardiff for the next few seasons and that he wouldn't be surprised if the 18-year-old earned a full Wales call-up in the near future.
2005–06 Ledley's first goal of the 2005–06 season came in a 2–1 League Cup victory over Macclesfield Town. He scored the equaliser after the League Two side had taken the lead. A month later, on 18 October, he scored in Cardiff's 2–2 draw against Preston North End. Four days later Cardiff beat Crewe Alexandra 6–1, with Ledley scoring the second to put them 2–1 up shortly after half time. Cardiff had been tipped for relegation at the start of the season but this victory put them on the verge of the play-off places. Ledley's fourth goal of the season came in a 2–1 victory over Southampton on 31 December.
2006–07 Ledley scored in the first match of the 2006–07 season, the opener in a 2–1 win over Barnsley. He then scored several weeks later, as Cardiff City beat fellow promotion contenders Birmingham City, 2–0, to move top of the table. At this match Cardiff City had a full stadium, 20,000 fans, for the first time in over 45 years. This signalled their growing momentum in the league and the belief within the club that they were able to get promoted. Ledley was identified as one of the key players in Cardiff City's team, his pace on the left wing being vital to their tenacious style of play. On 25 September, Ledley scored in a 3–0 win over Southend United to confirm Cardiff's status as early season favourites. Cardiff entered the FA Cup at the third round and drew Tottenham Hotspur. The match ended 0–0 but Ledley had an excellent chance to put Cardiff City in the lead after 55 minutes, he got on the end of a cross but hit his shot just over the bar. The match went to a replay and Tottenham Hotspur won 4–0 at White Hart Lane on 17 January. On 2 February Ledley suffered a hamstring injury in a 2–0 win over Barnsley. At the end of the season he picked up the Football League goal of the season award for his strike against Barnsley.Gunter and Ledley secure prizes, BBC Sport, 5 March 2007; Retrieved 3 October 2007
2007–08 Ledley began the 2007–08 season in great form and earned several man of the match awards in the first four months and in October 2007 he signed a two-year extension to his contract at Cardiff City.Ledley extends Cardiff contract, BBC Sport, 2 October 2007; Retrieved 3 October 2007 In December 2007, Wolverhampton Wanderers offered a reported £2.5 million, which could go up to as much as £3.5 million with add-ons, to Cardiff City for Ledley. Cardiff City offered the deal to Ledley who turned the move down in order to stay with the Bluebirds.Wolves fails in £2.5 million bid Express & Star, 22 December 2007; Retrieved 24 December 2007 Premier League side Everton were also known to have taken an interest in him, reportedly considering making an offer of £3.5 million.Everton face battle for Joe Ledley , Daily Post, 4 January 2008; Retrieved 14 April 2008 At the time, Cardiff City valued him at a reported £5 million. Despite the speculation about his transfer Ledley himself stated that he was desperate to stay at Cardiff but concedes that he may have no choice should a high offer be made.Ledley's plea to Bluebirds, WalesOnline, 6 January 2008; Retrieved 5 August 2012 Everton attempted a second move for Ledley at the end of the January transfer window, reportedly beating Wolves' previous £3m move, but the move was rejected by Cardiff.Bluebirds boss fends off big money offers, South Wales Echo, 31 January 2008; Retrieved 5 August 2012 His form continued into February and early March before a hamstring injury forced him to miss several games, including Cardiff's 2–0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Middlesbrough. He returned to the side in time for the semi-final against Barnsley where he scored the only goal to send Cardiff to their first final since 1927,Barnsley 0–1 Cardiff, BBC Sport, 6 April 2008; Retrieved 7 April 2008 a goal which later earned him 'Player of the Round'.Ledley takes the vote , Football Association, 14 April 2008; Retrieved 14 April 2008 Cardiff went on to lose in the final to Portsmouth.
2008–09 During the 2008 summer transfer window, recently promoted Premier League side Stoke City offered Cardiff £5m to sign Ledley, which Cardiff turned down. On 1 September 2008, the final day of the summer transfer window Stoke made a second bid, reported to be around £6m, but this too was firmly rejected by Cardiff."Ledley stays, but Cardiff are smarting over Smertin" Western Mail, 2 September 2008; Retrieved 2 September 2008 On 7 October, Ledley was named Welsh clubman of the year for the second consecutive year."Bellamy nets Welsh player award" BBC Sport, 13 November 2007; Retrieved 10 October 2008"Davies wins Welsh player award" BBC Sport, 7 October 2008; Retrieved 10 October 2008 He scored his first goal of the 2008–09 season during a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace on 15 NovemberCardiff 2–1 Crystal Palace BBC Sport, 15 November 2008 when he fired in after returning to the pitch after receiving treatment due to a dislocated finger.Ledley has pins placed in finger BBC Sport 18 November 2008 The injury later required surgery and Ledley was expected to be out for around one monthCardiff seal Routledge loan move BBC Sport, 20 November 2008 but managed to return in time to play against Swansea City, with his finger in a cast, "Ledley passed fit for Welsh derby" BBC Sport, 28 November 2008; Retrieved 30 November 2008 in the first league meeting between the two sides for nine years and scored with a left footed volley as the game ended 2–2,"Swansea 2–2 Cardiff" BBC Sport, 30 November 2008; Retrieved 30 November 2008 a goal which later earned him the club's goal of the season award."Cardiff City supporters club roll call of honour" South Wales Echo, 27 April 2009; Retrieved 3 May 2009
In his next game after the South Wales derby, on 6 December 2008, with captain Darren Purse dropped and vice-captain Stephen McPhail suspended, Ledley, at the age of just 21, captained Cardiff City for the first time in a 2–0 win over Preston North End."Teams: Joe le captain" Cardiff City FC, 6 December 2008; Retrieved 6 December 2008 His performances in the absence of McPhail, which later earned him the Championship player of the month award for January,"Joe Ledley scoops title" Cardiff City FC, 9 February 2009; Retrieved 9 February 2009 meant that he kept the Irish international out of the side as he continued as stand in captain, including a 0–0 draw with Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup."Cardiff 0–0 Arsenal" BBC Sport, 25 January 2009; Retrieved 5 February 2009
The January transfer window saw increased speculation about Ledley's future and Cardiff City turned down two bids from Premier League sides West Ham United, who saw an offer of £5m turned down,"Cardiff City reject 5m West Ham bid for Joe Ledley" South Wales Echo, 26 January 2009; Retrieved 26 January 2009 and Wigan Athletic, who had a bid of £4m and former Cardiff player and Wales international Jason Koumas rejected."Cardiff City turn down Koumas swap with Ledley" South Wales Echo, 27 January 2009; Retrieved 5 February 2009 He remained captain of the side for the rest of the season and at the end of the year was included in the 2008–09 Championship Team of the Year, along with teammate Roger Johnson."Championship team of the year" Football League, 27 April 2009; Retrieved 27 April 2009
2009–10