Lee Croft (born 21 May 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played primarily as a winger or attacking midfielder. Known for his pace and direct attacking style, he had a career spanning over fifteen years, featuring for several clubs across the Football League and non-league pyramid.
Early Career
Croft began his football journey in the youth academy of Manchester City. He progressed through their ranks, making his senior debut for the club in August 2003 at the age of 18 in a UEFA Cup tie against Total Network Solutions.Club Career
Manchester City
After his debut, Croft made a handful of appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League and various cup competitions. To gain more first-team experience, he was loaned to Norwich City in March 2005 for the remainder of the 2004–05 season.Norwich City
Following Manchester City's decision not to offer him a new contract, Croft joined Norwich City permanently in the summer of 2006. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Canaries, renowned for his work rate and ability to create chances from the wing. During his three seasons at Carrow Road, he made over 100 league appearances, becoming a fan favourite.Derby County
In July 2009, Croft moved to Derby County for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract. He continued to be a regular starter for Derby in the Championship. During his time with the Rams, he also had a loan spell at Oldham Athletic in 2011.Later Career
After leaving Derby County in 2012, Croft embarked on a journeyman period of his career. He moved to Scotland to play for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League for a season. He then returned to England, joining Rotherham United in 2013, where he was part of the squad that achieved promotion from League One to the Championship via the play-offs.Croft subsequently had a second spell at Oldham Athletic from 2014 to 2016. As his professional career wound down, he moved into non-league football, playing for clubs such as Salford City, Chorley, Southport, Curzon Ashton, Nantwich Town, and Witton Albion before retiring from the game.