Gareth Frank Bale, born on July 16, 1989, is a Welsh footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Wales national team as a left winger.

Bale was born in Cardiff from parents Frank, a school caretaker, and Debbie, an operation manager; he attended Eglwys Newydd Primary School in Whitchurch. He is the nephew of former Cardiff City footballer Chris Pike. It was while at this school he first came to attention of Southampton at age nine, when he was playing in a six-a-side tournament with his first club, Cardiff Civil Service Football Club. Growing up his football hero was fellow Welshman and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

He began his professional career in Southampton, playing at left back and earning acclaim as a free kick specialist.

On 25 May 2007, Bale signed a four-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur with Spurs paying an initial £5 million for Bale, potentially rising to £10 million based on appearances and success.