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Ian Anthony Pearce (born May 7, 1974 in Bury St. Edmunds, England) is an English footballer who currently plays at centre half for Fulham Football Club in London, England, on occasion he has played up front but he is not a recognised striker, and his goalscoring record is poor.

Starting his career at Chelsea during the 91-92 season, he played just four games in three seasons before moving onto Blackburn Rovers in December 1993. His debut was as a substitute in October 1993 in a defeat to Liverpool.

He then signed for Blackburn Rovers for £300,000, were he won a Premiership medal in the 1994-95 season with Blackburn before moving to West Ham for £3.5m in October 1998.

In the 1990-2000 season, he only played 37 minutes after injuring his knee ligaments with a clash with Stuart Pearce. Ian was out for 14 months, but returned in October 2000 against Newcastle United. He failed to find his true fitness, and only played 17 times in that season.

Though he did have a good few seasons at the team he supported as a boy, West Ham United, making over 100 appearances before signing for Fulham in January 2004. Pearce, has made only 35 appearances in the last three seasons, although he has found a new lease of life at Fulham, started all nine games of the current season as Fulham's first choice centre back.

However, in his 2004-05 season, he was hampered with a back injury in December that year. He did manage to play a few reserve games at the end of the season, but did not play for the first team. In August 2005 he was close to signing for Norwich City, but pulled out because of family reasons.

Pearce is one of only 5 players who have made at least one appearance in every Premiership season since its inception in 1992. Others are; David James, Sol Campbell, Ryan Giggs, Gary Speed.

He has a famous rugby union playing cousin called Ed Pearce who was a star for Bristol RUFC and was called into the England Squad by Sir Clive Woodward.

Vital Statistics

• Date of Birth: May 7, 1974
• Birthplace: Bury St. Edmunds, England
• Nationality: English
• Squad Number: 19
• Height: 191 cm
• Weight: 73 kg
• Position: Defender
• Previous Clubs: Chelsea, Blackburn, West Ham
• Transfer Fee: n/a
• Fulham Debut: vs. Spurs at Loftus Road, 31/01/04

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