 Woodgate joined Madrid in August 2004 |
Real Madrid and England defender Jonathan Woodgate says he has left the mistakes that marred the early part of his career in the past. The 26-year-old, who faces Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday, was convicted of affray in 2001 in relation to an assault on a student.
"I had a few mishaps, which I own up to. I made some mistakes but I'm not a bad lad," he told the Daily Mirror.
"I was young and stupid but the mistakes are over now."
Woodgate was at Leeds when he was found guilty of affray and sentenced to 100 hours' community service.
 |  I could have wasted my career because I kept getting myself into trouble |
He left Elland Road for Newcastle in January 2003 and was a surprise �13.4m signing by Real Madrid in August 2004.
His career at the Bernabeu has been hampered by a serious thigh injury and he scored a spectacular own goal and got sent off on his debut last September.
But the centre-back, who has been tipped to force his way into England's World Cup squad, was always confident he would make a success of his big chance with Madrid.
"There could have been a situation where I could have wasted my career because I kept getting myself into trouble," added Woodgate.
"Coming to Spain has been great for me. I never got to the point where I thought I was going to quit. I knew I'd get back."
MMIX
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