IT'S DAN HARDING WEEK: 13th to 19th November

Daniel Andrew "Dan" Harding (born 23 December 1983) is an English footballer who currently plays as a left back. Born in Gloucester, former England under-21 player Harding began his career with Brighton & Hove Albion and has also played for Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Southend United and Reading, before joining the "Saints" in July 2009 on a free transfer.

Harding joined the Brighton & Hove Albion youth scheme in 1999 aged sixteen. After a successful run in the reserves and the youth side he finally made the left back position at Brighton his own. After an impressive two seasons, in which he scored once against Rotherham United, and with England's U21 coach Peter Taylor and a host of Premier League clubs taking an interest in him, Harding was preparing to move on.

On 7 June 2005, Harding reportedly cut short a holiday, to sign a three year-contract with Leeds United on a free transfer. Since he was under 24 years-old, Brighton were entitled to compensation which was to be decided by a tribunal. On 28 July, Leeds United were order to pay up to £850,000 in compensation to Brighton. An initial payment of £450,000 was paid by Leeds with a further £400,000 dependent on appearances, international caps and promotion success.

After only one season at Leeds United, Harding moved to Ipswich Town in a part-exchange deal for Ian Westlake on 4 August 2006. Leeds also paid Ipswich £400,000 and a further £100,000 was dependent on Westlake's appearances. He scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 3–1 defeat at Hull on 29 September 2007. After initially playing regularly he lost his place in the team and was transfer listed.

On 7 August 2008, he moved to Southend United on a six-month loan deal with a view to a permanent move. He scored against former club Leeds in a 1–0 win on 28 October 2008. On 29 January 2009, he joined Reading on loan for the remainder of the 2008–09 season. In May 2009, after talks with Ipswich's new manager Roy Keane, Harding was told his contract would not be renewed and that he would be released from the club.



On 21 July 2009, he signed a two year deal with Southampton, becoming new manager Alan Pardew's first signing. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Brentford on 22 August 2009.

Harding scored his second goal for the club on 12 December against Tranmere Rovers. He also scored another goal against his former club Leeds United on 13 March 2010. He was named in the League One Team of the Year for the 2010–11 season. His first goal of the 2011-2012 season came in a 3-2 defeat at Leicester City.