A highly talented attacking midfielder who is one of just a handful of Socceroos featuring in the English Premier League. Capable of playing as a secondary striker or in an attacking midfield role, he is most commonly used for both club and country on the right side of midfield. Though filling a similar role to Mark Bresciano, Garcia would have earned far more caps for his country but for injury with a number of serious knee issues somewhat curtailing his career.<\/P>
In August 2008 Garcia finally received his first senior international cap on the eve of his 27th birthday, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a friendly against South Africa at Loftus Road in London. His second came soon after as Pim Verbeek’s side recorded an impressive 2-1 win against the Netherlands in Eindhoven.<\/P>
Born and raised in Perth to Spanish-speaking parents Garcia commenced his career as a key member of a famous West Ham youth team in the late 1990s that produced several internationals. However knee injuries ruined any chance of competing in the Olympic Football Tournament at either Sydney 2000 or Athens 2004. After limited Premier League opportunities with the Hammers, Garcia spent several seasons at Colchester playing a major role in helping to them win promotion to the Championship.<\/P>
A move to Hull City proved a career boost with the club winning promotion to the top-flight in 2008. Garcia has generally enjoyed regular first-team action when not injured but after damaging knee ligaments during pre-season training he missed the opening three months of this campaign. The absence put paid to his involvement in five Socceroos internationals including the AFC Asian Cup double header against Oman late last year and with it a valuable chance to impress Verbeek ahead of South Africa 2010.<\/P>","EDBF020A791C65EC6DC356F5C22437AB":"999","D39E7C23A464F86D":"1","BE541FF326E82F6A":"Perth Glory FC","44815DEA11FB577D3ADEC3055D57C9DB":"0","44815DEA11FB577D5BF802155ED45F52BF89EAE80D401A5B":"1","e_index":5};