When Peter Crouch announces his retirement, he will be able to look back on a rather hectic career.
In total, the striker has played for 11 different clubs to date, with two separate spells at Tottenham Hotspur.
It was on this day back in 2002 that Crouch, as a 21-year-old, made one of those moves.
Under the management of Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth, Crouch had flourished. Eventually, it seemed inevitable that Pompey would gain promotion out of the First Division.
However, Crouch would beat them into the Premier League when Aston Villa beat off competition from a number of rival clubs to secure his services in a deal worth £5m, which could potentially rise by a further £1m.
"I would have liked to have played for Pompey in the Premiership, but it now seems that I will be a year or so ahead of them," the England Under-21 international told Portsmouth's official website upon his departure.
"But I will be very much looking forward to Pompey joining Villa there. I have really enjoyed playing for the club and the tremendous fans."
Meanwhile, a statement released by the South Coast club read: "The club is, of course, extremely sad to be losing Peter but could not really stand in his way of joining such a big club in the Premiership, and with the prospect of European football on the horizon.
"The transfer monies are of course extremely timely given the imminent collapse of ITV Digital and the consequent loss of £3m per season to the club.
"The transfer will enable the club to press on with the rebuilding of the team in the close season, with five or six quality recruits promised by manager Harry Redknapp.
"We know every supporter will join with us in wishing Peter all the very best in his new career, which we will all follow with interest. He has been a credit to the club and himself and has endeared himself to everybody."
Crouch got off to a positive start in the Midlands, scoring on his home debut at Villa Park against Newcastle United.
However, his starting opportunities soon became limited and following a loan stint with Norwich City, he was sold to Southampton for £2.5m in 2004, having scored only six goals in 47 Premier League outings for Villa.
Liam Apicella
