The versatile central defender began his career with Crystal Palace and spent five seasons with the south London club. He captained the side during their Division One title-winning season in 1993-94 and played in every Premiership game the following season.
He moved to Aston Villa in 1995 where he was part of an impressive defence that included the likes of Ugo Ehiogu, Steve Staunton, Paul McGrath and Gary Charles, and collected his first England cap – at any level – in the same year.
Coming on as a substitute for Dennis Wise in the friendly draw with Portugal, Southgate played in just three further friendlies before being thrust into a vital role at Euro ’96.
Playing alongside Tony Adams, Southgate played every minute of every game in the Championship Finals and proved his international calibre.
Unfortunately his Finals would end in disappointment, however, as he missed England’s first sudden-death penalty to give Germany victory in the semi-finals.
He would go on to make appearances at France ’98 and Euro 2000 in Belgium and Holland and collect 57 caps in all.
With Villa he won the League Cup and reached The FA Cup Final before leaving for Middlesbrough in 2001, where he again won the League Cup and was a beaten UEFA Cup finalist.
He moved from player to Manager at the Riverside in 2006 and spent three years in charge before seeing the club relegated in 2009.