Born 20.1.89 in Gateshead.

The winner of 2006's Football Icon TV contest to seek out undiscovered talent, centre-back Carl has progressed to become a fully-fledged regular in the reserve side, making 14+2 appearances last year, the second highest total.

He has been rewarded with an extended contract and was part of the club's Right to Play humanitarian visit to Jordan and Israel in the summer.

Originally rejected as a schoolboy by Leeds United where he had played with current Chelsea colleagues Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo, Carl was a stand-in captain in the youth team before progressing to the reserves.

A composed, all-round defender.