<table border="3" width="100%" id="table1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0"><!--
--> <tr><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><!--
--> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Season</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">TD</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CAS</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">CMP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">INT</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="10%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">SPP</font></b></td><!--
--> <td width="40%" bgcolor="0" align="center"><b><!--
--> <font color="#FFFFFF">Awards</font></b></td><!--
--> </tr><!--
--> <tr><!-- STATS FOR SEASON
--> <td bgcolor="#000000" align="center"><font color="#FFFFFF"><b><!-- INSERT SEASON NUMBER-->All</b></font></td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT TDS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CAS-->1</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT CMP-->3</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT INT-->0</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT SPP-->8</td><!--
--> <td align="center"><!-- INSERT AWARDS--><img border=0 src="http://fumbbl.com/teams/186435.jpg" alt="Season 3 Veteran"></td><!--
--> </tr><!-- END OF SEASON STATS
--> </table>

Argentina international Javier Mascherano signed from West Ham on February 20, 2007.

The midfielder came through the ranks at South American giants River Plate. Such was his potential that he earned his first international call-up before kicking a ball for his club.

Having already represented Argentina in the FIFA Under-17 Championships, Mascherano made his senior debut against Uruguay on July 16, 2003. Within two weeks he was selected for River in a league match against Nueva Chicago.

In January 2004 he helped Argentina Under-23s triumph in the South American Pre-Olimpico tournament in Chile.

That summer the youngster joined the senior side for the Copa America. Argentina lost the final to Brazil on penalties but Mascherano was voted player of the tournament by his teammates. A month later he and his countrymen won Olympic gold in Athens.

By this stage, the tough-tackling midfielder had accrued quite a fan club, including one of the greatest players of all time. Diego Maradona described him as "a monster of a player destined for great things".

Mascherano joined Brazilian club Corinthians in July 2005, helping them to win the Campeonato Brasileiro in his first season.

From there he travelled to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where his performances led to links with several of Europe's top clubs.

West Ham eventually clinched his signature alongside compatriot Carlos Tevez on August 31, 2006. However, he played just seven times for The Hammers before heading north to Merseyside.

Despite the presence of Momo Sissoko, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Bolo Zenden, the newboy quickly established himself as a regular in the centre of Rafa Benitez's midfield.

The Argentine made his debut against Sheffield United on February 24, 2007 donning the number 20 shirt. Three months later he won the fans' man of the match for his performance in the Champions League final in Athens.

In July 2007, Mascherano scored his first two international goals during Argentina's victorious Copa America campaign.