Happy Birthday to Jonathan Simon Woodgate
Jan 22, 2026 • Sidrah Gohar • Sportsperson / Birthday Wishes
Source:
Bornglorious
Jonathan Simon Woodgate (born 22 January 1980) is a former footballer who played as a defender, and is the current manager of Middlesbrough. Woodgate started his career at Leeds United.
He was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in 2003, where he impressed despite injury problems.
His performances in Europe for Newcastle led to Real Madrid signing him for £13.4 million in 2004.
Injuries blighted his time in Madrid and he failed to make a single appearance in the entire 2004–05 season.
On his debut for Real Madrid, he scored an own goal and was sent off for two bookable offences. He went on to play 14 times for them before joining his hometown club Middlesbrough on loan, then permanently for a fee of £7 million.