FOR a player who started off his early career at as goalkeeper in the Everton youth academy, Jake Bidwell's rise up the professional ranks has been somewhat staggering.

Born in March 1993, Bidwell's time at Everton began as an 11-year-old. However, he left the Premier League club's youth set-up two years later, only to subsequently return soon as an outfield player in his teens.

Bidwell made his senior debut for the Toffees at the age of 16 in a Europa League tie against BATE Borisov in December 2009 but had to wait two years for a taste of league football, only making his first appearance when he joined Brentford on loan.

The former England youth international, who represented the Young Lions at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level, went on to play 25 games for the club in 2011/12, then enjoyed a season-long spell with the Bees prior to making a permanent switch to Griffin Park in the summer of 2013.

The 24-year-old reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Brentford in February 2014 and made 136 appearances for the club.

He signed for QPR in July 2016 and has been the undisputed first-choice left back during his first two years at Loftus Road.  

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