Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Highest priced defender, who went for £80m
AT £80million, Harry Maguire became the world’s most expensive defender when Manchester United bought him from Leicester City last summer.
He has played 26 times for England and since moving to Old Trafford he has become club skipper. He became a national icon during the 2018 World Cup in Russia where his heroic performances helped the Three Lions reach the semi-finals. He scored the first goal in England’s victory over Sweden in the quarter final.
Maguire, 27, was born in Sheffield, South Yorks. He was brought up in the village of Mosborough just outside the city and is particularly close to his mum and dad Zoe and Alan, who follow him across the world to watch him play for
England.
He started at his home city club of Sheffield
United, coming through the club’s youth system before making his debut for the first team as a teenager against Cardiff City.
He had more than 160 appearances for the Blades and was voted Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons. He moved to Hull City, was loaned to Wigan and then transferred to Leicester City.
As a youngster, he was a great admirer of England stars John Terry and Rio Ferdinand “because they were comfortable on the ball”.
Always tall – he is now 6ft 4in – he often played in midfield before moving back into defence as a central defender.
His brother Joe is a respected non-league player and dad Alan played at a decent level as well.
Maguire is engaged to girlfriend Fern Hawkins, who is also from Sheffield and graduated from university with a first-class degree.
In April last year, she gave birth to their first child, daughter Lillie Saint. This May, she gave birth to their second daughter Piper Rose.
The couple also dote on their pet dog Simba.