Leighton Baines says he is 'honoured and proud' to make club history after making England debut

Current Everton and former Latics full back Leighton Baines says he is extremely proud to become the first former Wigan Athletic Youth team player to earn a full England cap, after appearing for Fabio Capello's side at Wembley in last night's 3-1 victory over Egypt.

Leighton moved to Goodison in the Summer of 2007 after playing 145 league games for Latics, and being part of the team that rose from Division Two (as it was called then) into the Barclays Premier League.



He earned 16 Under 21 caps during his time at Wigan and many thought it would only be a matter of time before his talent was used at international level.

Speaking to the Official Wigan Athletic website after last night's game, he said: "Yes it's a very proud moment for me personally but also for Everton and for Wigan Athletic.

"I will never forget Wigan, it's the club where I got my chance and the fans treated me brilliantly there. It makes me very happy that I can make that little piece of club history and I want to wish everyone there all the best for the rest of the season."

Leighton won the supporters vote as Player of the Year during the last season he was at Latics, before becoming the most expensive product of the club's youth policy.

Current Latics boss Roberto Martinez said: "I wasn't at the club when Leighton was here but everyone knows what a talent he is. It's a prod moment for the club, but now the challenge is to bring more players through like Leighton, and it is an aspect of the club I would very much like to improve upon."