Mark Stephen Yeates (born 11 January 1985) is an Irish footballer who plays for Middlesbrough. He can operate either as a striker or a winger. He has three under-21 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] Career

Yeates started his career at Tottenham Hotspur, but first played professional football in loan spells with Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town during the 2003–04 season. Loaned to Swindon as part of the transfer to Spurs of Swindon player Leigh Mills, Yeates only played four games before being returned to White Hart Lane after a disagreement with then manager Andy King. He made his Spurs debut against Wolves on the final day of the 2003–04 Premier League season, setting up a goal for Robbie Keane. He made three first team appearances for Spurs.

During the 2005–06 season Yeates played on long term loan at Colchester United scoring five league goals as they achieved promotion from League One.

Prior to 2006–07 Yeates signed a two-year contract extension with Spurs. He joined Championship team Hull City on a season-long loan, but hardly featured for them before returning to his parent club midway through the season.

He then signed a loan contract until the end of the 2006–07 season with another Championship side, Leicester City. He scored on his Leicester debut at the Walkers Stadium in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town. On 25 April 2007, having only featured 16 times for Leicester, and not once under caretaker manager Nigel Worthington, he was allowed to return to Spurs after being deemed surplus to requirements.

On 3 July 2007 he completed a permanent move to Colchester United.^[2] Yeates was set to sign for Crystal Palace Football Club but due to the fact he failed his medical the transfer was abandoned. After a productive year in League One, Yeates signed for newly-relegated Championship team Middlesbrough for £500,000 on 26 June 2009.^{[3] [4]} He made his debut for Middlesbrough on 7 August 2009 in a 0-0 draw with Sheffield United.^[5] He scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in their 5-1 win over QPR on the 5th of December 2009.

[edit] Personal life

His late father Stephen played for Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers (two goals in 11 appearances in 1989-90), Athlone Town and Kilkenny City.^[6]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Mark Yeates career stats at Soccerbase