Birchall was voted young player of the year in 2005 at Port Vale after having a good season at the club he had been associated with since the age of nine.
In August 2006 Birchall was sold to Coventry City for a fee of £325,000 plus a sell-on clause. He scored his first Sky Blues goal against Norwich with a 25-yard (23 m) low drive stunner.
On 31 August, Birchall signed with St Mirren on loan until January 2008 depending on his appearances.[1] He returned to Coventry after suffering an injury in November.
On 27 November 2008, Birchall signed for Carlisle United on loan until 31 December. When returning to Coventry, he agreed to have his contract terminated by mutual consent.[2]
On 5 January 2009, it was revealed that Birchall had joined English League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on an initial week-trial with a view to earning a contract.[3] On 16 January, he signed a contract until the end of the season.[4]
In April 2009, Birchall was the subject of a move to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy[5], with Galaxy offering him a one-year deal, but Brighton unwilling to let him go before the summer.
In the coming weeks however, Real Madrid managed to reach the £50,000,000 asking price and signed him.
Got it from wikipedia.....
