JAMES MORRISON (FOOTBALLER)

'James Clark Morrison' (born May 25, 1986 in Darlington, England) is a footballer, currently playing for West Bromwich Albion. Although English-born, Morrison has chosen to play for Scotland at full-international level, if selected. His ability to run with the ball at pace makes him an effective option through the middle, as an attacking midfielder, or more often as a right winger.
A former pupil at Hummersknott School, Morrison is a product of Middlesbrough's youth academy. He starred in Middlesbrough's FA Youth Cup winning side in 2003-04, putting in several eye-catching performances throughout the cup run, notably scoring in the final first leg 3-0 win against Aston Villa.
His initial outings in the first team displayed some promise too. He made his first-team debut on 3 January, 2004, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 FA Cup victory against Notts County.^[1] His Premiership debut came four months later, when he replaced Stewart Downing in a 5-1 defeat away at Portsmouth on the final day of the 2003-04 season.^[2] Morrison's first European action for Boro was on 30 September 2004 in a UEFA Cup tie away at Banik Ostrava. He marked the occasion by scoring his first goal for the club, a last-minute equalizer that secured a 1-1 draw in the second leg and a 4-1 aggregate victory.^[3] On 19 March 2007, he was sent off in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United for a tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo, borne out of frustration.
Morrison has played for every youth level for England apart from the full side. Along with Derby's Steve Howard and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, Morrison is one of a number of English Premiership players identified in June 2007 eligible to play for Scotland,^[4] and it seems that he will be taking the opportunity up, as he feels that his "opportunities with England will be limited".^[5]
On 7 August 2007, Morrison signed a four-year contract with West Bromwich Albion, for an initial £1.5 million fee. This fee could rise by a further £700,000, depending on Morrison's appearances for the Baggies. Middlesbrough will also receive 15% of any sell-on fee.^[6] Morrison made his Albion debut as a 2nd-half substitute in a 2-1 defeat away at Burnley on the opening day of the 2007-08 season.^[7]

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References

1. Middlesbro 2-0 Notts County
2. Portsmouth 5-1 Middlesbro
3. B Ostrava 1-1 Middlesbrough
4. Scots consider Agbonlahor call-up
5. Morrison chooses Scotland
6. Morrison secures move to Baggies
7. Burnley vs WBA

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