Theo James Walcott born 16 March 1989 is an English footballer who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. He is a versatile forward who is usually deployed on the right wing. He was the subject of worldwide media attention, following his shock inclusion to the 2006 English World Cup squad.Walcott is well known, for his blistering pace, with F.C.Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola declaring that “you would need a pistol to stop him” He has been likened by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, to Walcott's former team-mate, and captain Thierry Henry.FIFA World Player of the Year winner Lionel Messi, has described Walcott being "One of the most dangerous players I have ever played against.
theo walcott
Family and personal life
Walcott was born to a British Jamaican father and an English mother. His family made a cameo appearance in the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, directed by David Yates, the partner of Walcott's aunt.Walcott himself was due to appear as well, but his commitments to Arsenal forced him to drop out.
Walcott and his father are both Liverpool fans. Walcott has never hidden the fact that he's a massive Liverpool supporter and even when Chelsea asked him to be a ball boy, he used the opportunity to meet his Liverpool idols:
"I was playing in a tournament for Swindon when Southampton and Chelsea showed an interest. Chelsea invited me to be a ball-boy for a game against Liverpool and it was fantastic to meet my heroes Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler. I was a Liverpool fan simply because my dad followed them. Unfortunately I wasn't born when the team had their golden era, but I enjoyed watching the likes of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman when I was growing up. When Liverpool won the Champions League last year, I went mad. I was shouting so loud I think I woke up the entire village where I live!"
Walcott has been involved with the UK charities Build a School and Best Beginnings.
On 6 April 2008, Walcott was a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame for Beijing 2008 as it was paraded around London. He was the second last torchbearer just before Dame Kelly Holmes.
He is in a long-term relationship with Melanie Slade. The couple got together after meeting in 2004 at the WestQuay shopping centre in Southampton.
His cousin Jacob Walcott is a trainee at Reading and a member of the England national under-17 football team appearing in the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship.
His older sister, Hollie, is a bodybuilder who came second in the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation Central Championships in July 2010
Personal information
Full name: Theo James Walcott
Date of birth: 16 March 1989 (1989-03-16)
Place of birth: Stanmore, England
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position: Winger
Club information
Current club: Arsenal
Number: 14
Youth career
1999–2000 Newbury
2000 Swindon Town
2000–2005 Southampton
Senior career*
2005–2006 Southampton 21 (4)
2006– Arsenal 104 (16)
National team‡
2004–2005 England U16 4 (0)
2005–2006 England U17 14 (0)
2006 England U19 1 (0)
2006–2010 England U21 21 (6)
2006– England 16 (3)