Футбольный путь Эглза: От "Манчестер Юнайтед" до "Бернли"

English footballer

Eagles made his first team debut for Manchester United on 28 October 2003 as a second half substitute for Kieran Richardson in an extra time win away to Leeds United in the League Cup. He played once more that season, this time as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo as United lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion in the Fourth Round of the League Cup. His performances saw him nominated for the new League Cup talent award, awarded to the young player judged to have made the best first team breakthrough in the competition. He played in the 2004 FA Community Shield, coming on as a 74th minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat by Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium. Eagles was loaned out to Watford on 21 January 2005. He scored his first goal in senior football in a 2–0 win over Gillingham at Vicarage Road on 5 February. He made 13 Championship appearances for the "Hornets", and manager Ray Lewington said that: "he is an exciting player and has done very well". He was also loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for the first half of the 2005–06 season. Manager Paul Sturrock stated that: "Sir Alex said to me that he wants this player to play in front of big crowds and see how he handles it". He scored his first goal for the "Owls" in a 1–0 victory over Leeds United at Hillsborough on 13 September. He ended his loan spell at Wednesday with three goals in 25 appearances. On 6 January 2006, Eagles returned on loan to Aidy Boothroyd's Watford. He scored the only goal of the match against Stoke City in his first league appearance of his second loan spell at Watford. He scored the winning goal in the 1–0 away win at Brighton & Hove Albion on 18 February from (almost the halfway line), which won him the club's goal of the season award. Watford reached the 2006 Championship play off final, and Eagles was an unused substitute as they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3–0 win over Leeds United. On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side N. E. C., to gain more experience. He decided to take the option of returning to Old Trafford on 21 December after struggling to get many games at the Stadion de Goffert. On 13 March, Eagles featured in the second half for United in the UEFA Celebration Match exhibition game at Old Trafford against Marcello Lippi's Europe XI. On 28 April, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4–2 Premier League win over Everton; after coming on as a second half substitute, he scored a 93rd minute goal to put the result beyond doubt as United went five points clear in their race for the Premier League title. He was an unused substitute in the 2007 FA Community Shield, as United beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1–1 draw.

In July 2008, Eagles signed for Burnley on a three year contract for an undisclosed fee. The London Evening Standard reported that the fee was £1.2 million, of which £200,000 would go to Watford as part of a sell on clause. Manager Owen Coyle said: "He can play as a striker, or behind the striker or wide or as a central midfielder. He gives you a host of variations, but outwith that he's a talented footballer and that's what we want – young exciting talents to complement the quality we already have." On 27 September, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 3–1 victory over rivals Preston North End. He was nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award for November, losing out to Chris Iwelumo. He ended the 2008–09 season with eight goals in 57 league and cup appearances, and came on as a 69th minute substitute for Robbie Blake as Burnley beat Sheffield United 1–0 in the Championship play off final at Wembley Stadium. He scored two goals in 34 Premier League games in the 2009–10 campaign as Burnley were relegated in 18th place. In July 2010, the "Clarets" accepted a bid from Scottish champions Rangers to buy Eagles, but the player was unable to agree terms with the Scottish club and remained in England. He agreed a new two year contract with Burnley the following month. In October 2010, manager Brian Laws said that Eagles was "unplayable" and in "absolutely magnificent form" after scoring five goals in the space of four games. Eagles went on to score 15 goals in 48 appearances for Burnley in the 2010–11 season, and newly appointed manager Eddie Howe was reported to have planned to build his team around Eagles.

In July 2011, Eagles and his Burnley teammate Tyrone Mears joined Bolton Wanderers on a three year contract for a joint fee in the region of £3 million, linking up with their ex manager Owen Coyle for the second time in their careers. He made his debut in a 4–0 away win at Queens Park Rangers on 13 August, where he created an assist for the second goal put in his own net by Danny Gabbidon. On 20 September, he scored his first goal for the "Trotters", from , in the League Cup Third Round 2–0 away win against Aston Villa. He also scored a brace in a 5–0 win over Stoke City at the Reebok Stadium on 6 November. He found himself out of the starting line up for a short time due to Tuncay being in form, but he came back to the starting line up on 21 April, where he scored in a 1–1 draw at home to Swansea City. At the end of the season, Bolton were relegated to the Championship. Eagles was named Player of the Month by the fans for August, September and October of the new season. He finished the 2012–13 season as Bolton's top goalscorer with twelve goals, and also created the most goals, with twelve assists. His form in April earned him a nomination for the Championship Player of the Month award. He played just 18 games in the 2013–14 season, and was released by the club in May 2014. Shortly after his release from Bolton, he explained that he was disappointed at aspects of his departure, but maintained an affection for both the club's supporters and the town. In July 2014, Eagles was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bolton for his services to sport. He later blamed manager Dougie Freedman for his exit, saying "I didn't like him and I didn't like the way he managed. He showed me no respect".

On 18 November 2014, Eagles joined Blackpool on a short term contract until January 2015. He played seven games for the "Tangerines", but left Bloomfield Road at the expiry of his contract despite both he and manager Lee Clark reportedly being keen to extend his stay at the club. Eagles signed for Charlton Athletic on 19 February 2015 on a free transfer until the end of the 2014–15 season. He scored on his Charlton debut, as the "Addicks" won 3–0 away at Wigan Athletic; manager Guy Luzon said that "he played well for his first time". He left The Valley at the expiry of his contract in May 2015. Eagles had trials with Preston North End, Wigan Athletic, and Coventry City, before joining League One club Bury in October 2015 on a contract until the end of the 2015–16 season. However, four months later he was sent to train with Ryan Kidd and the youth team by manager David Flitcroft, who deemed him not fit enough to train with the first team. He was released in the summer and signed with John Coleman's League Two side Accrington Stanley in August 2016. The following month he agreed to stay at the Crown Ground until January after settling in well at the club. He joined League One side Port Vale on a short term contract after impressing manager Michael Brown during a trial game in January 2017. After initially being used out wide, he was moved to a number 10 role and scored in consecutive games against Southend United and Swindon Town to pick up important points for Vale's relegation battle. He won a place on the EFL Team of the Week after picking up an assist and a goal in a 2–0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Vale Park on 1 April. He also scored the only goal of the penultimate game of the season against Walsall on 25 April to take the "Valiants" ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation to the last day of the 2016–17 season; the strike won him the club's Goal of the Season award. He left the club at the end of the season, but returned to train at Vale Park in November 2017 after new manager Neil Aspin offered him a contract, which Eagles rejected. On 23 November 2017, Eagles signed for Scottish Premiership club Ross County until the end of the 2017–18 season, reuniting with former manager Owen Coyle at the Scottish Premiership club. Eagles left Ross County by mutual consent on 4 April, a month after Coyle had resigned as manager. After spending 15 months as a free agent, Eagles returned to League Two on 27 July 2019 after signing a one year deal with Oldham Athletic, with the option of a further year. However, he departed Boundary Park on 6 January 2020 after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract. On 14 November 2021, Eagles played in a charity match as part of a team of Bolton Wanderers Legends against the current Bolton first team with the match helping to raise money for Mother of Bolton player Gethin Jones, who had been diagnosed with Motor neuron disease. The Bolton first team won 7–4, with Eagles scoring twice for the Legends team.

Eagles was a winger, though could also play as an attacking midfielder. Writing for The Guardian in December 2008, Steve Claridge reported that Eagles "is a natural footballer who makes the difficult things look easy", boasting natural ability and composure, as well as good distribution skills; he did however, criticize his tactical discipline and defensive work rate. Former Bury teammate Tom Pope said that: his "technique was frighteningly good – that was his ability on the ball, dribbling and his awareness of players around him".

Eagles joined Alcoholics Anonymous in September 2021 after being found by police while drunk in charge of a vehicle outside the home of ex girlfriend Jennifer Metcalfe; he was banned from driving for three months and fined £1,250. He had recently split from his fiancée, Danielle Mitchinson, with whom he had two children during an eight year relationship.

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United2003–04Premier League0000200000202004–05Premier League0010302010702005–06Premier League00000000—002006–07Premier League21000000—212007–08Premier League40001010193N. E. C. (loan)2006–07Eredivisie15121———172Burnley2008–09Championship4374070—3Premier League3422021——3832010–11Championship43113321——4815Total1202093112—3014325Bolton Wanderers2011–12Premier League3444131——4162012–13Championship43123010——47122013–14Championship1612000——181Total93179141——10619Blackpool2014–15Championship710000——71Charlton Athletic2014–15League One401000—0050Accrington Stanley2016–17EFL League Two600020—20100Port Vale2016–17Scottish Premiership801000000090Oldham Athletic2019–20EFL League Two15010000020170Career total36453255233507042362