Jermain Colin Defoe (born 7 October 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for English club Sunderland and the England national teamDefoe began his career with Charlton Athletic, joining their youth team at age fourteen, before moving to West Ham United aged sixteen and rising through the ranks. He made his professional debut for West Ham in 2000, and after a season-long loan spell at Bournemouth during the 2000–01 season, established himself in the West Ham line-up.