Began his career at Brighton and made his League debut in a 2-0 defeat by Norwich in August 2002. It was his only appearance for the Seagulls that season.He went on to make 67 League appearances for the south coast club, scoring one goal in that time, the winner against Rotherham in December 2004.Joined Leeds in the summer of 2005 for a fee reported to be £850,000 and made his debut for the Elland Road club in their 2-1 win over Millwall on August 7, 2005, going on to play 21 times for the Whites.

He has been capped four times by England U21s, winning his first cap in the 3-1 win over Ukraine at the Riverside in August 2004. Joined Town in August 2006 in a player exchange deal that took Ian Westlake to Leeds with an additional £500,000 going to Portman Road.