David Seaman Age, Height, Wife & Biography

David Seaman is an English former professional footballer who spent 13 seasons as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, winning two Premier League titles and four FA Cups with the club. Born in Rotherham in 1963, he won 75 caps for England and played at the European Championship in 1996 and at two World Cups. He was appointed MBE in 1997 and, after retiring, became a familiar face on television, competing in Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice.

Quick Facts

Who Is David Seaman?

David Seaman was one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, a tall, agile and commanding presence who was England’s first choice for the best part of a decade. He joined Arsenal in 1990 for a fee of 1.3 million pounds, then a club record for a goalkeeper, and he went on to make 564 appearances for the Gunners, winning the First Division title in 1991, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

For England, Seaman won 75 caps between 1988 and 2002. He was the hero of the penalty shoot-out win over Spain at Euro 1996, saving a penalty as England reached the semi-finals at Wembley, and he played at the World Cups of 1998 and 2002. His most famous moment in an Arsenal shirt was his stunning one-handed save from Paul Peschisolido in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, still regarded as one of the greatest saves in English football history.

Early Life & Background

David Andrew Seaman was born on 19 September 1963 in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. As a schoolboy he joined Leeds United, his local club, and he turned professional there in 1981, but he was released a year later without making a first-team appearance. It was a setback that could have ended his career, but he rebuilt it in the lower divisions.

Seaman joined Peterborough United in 1982 and made 91 appearances in two seasons, before moving to Birmingham City in 1984 and then to Queens Park Rangers in 1986, where he made 141 appearances. His consistent performances for QPR earned him a call-up to the England squad and, in August 1990, a move to Arsenal, where he would spend the next 13 years.

Career

Seaman became Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper almost immediately, and in his first season the club won the First Division title, conceding just 18 goals in 38 league games. He won the FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993, and in 1994 he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup as Arsenal beat Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen. In 1997 he was appointed MBE for his services to football, and in 1998 he won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsene Wenger’s side.

Seaman won a second Premier League and FA Cup double in 2002 and added a fourth FA Cup in 2003, when his remarkable save from Paul Peschisolido in the semi-final against Sheffield United kept Arsenal in the competition. He left Arsenal in the summer of 2003 and joined Manchester City, but a recurring shoulder injury forced him to retire in January 2004 at the age of 40.

For England, Seaman made his debut in November 1988 against Saudi Arabia and went on to win 75 caps. He was first choice at Euro 1996, where he saved a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out against Spain as England reached the semi-finals at Wembley. He played at the World Cups of 1998 and 2002, and his last England appearance came in the 2002 quarter-final against Brazil, when Ronaldinho lobbed him with a long-range free kick that helped Brazil win 2-1. Since retiring, Seaman has become a familiar face on television, competing in Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and Dancing on Ice in 2006.

Facts About David Seaman

• He made 564 appearances for Arsenal over 13 seasons.
• He saved a penalty in England’s shoot-out win over Spain at Euro 1996.
• His one-handed save from Paul Peschisolido in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final is regarded as one of the greatest saves in English football history.
• He was appointed MBE in 1997 for his services to football.
• He competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and Dancing on Ice in 2006.

Frequently Asked Questions