Didier Digard

Didier Digard

Digard playing for Middlesbrough in 2008
Personal information
Full name	Didier Frederic Digard
Date of birth	12 July 1986 (1986-07-12)
Place of birth	Gisors, France
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Nice
Number	6
Youth career
1999–2003	Le Havre
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2003–2007	Le Havre	72	(3)
2007–2008	Paris Saint-Germain	16	(0)
2008–2011	Middlesbrough	32	(0)
2010	→ Nice (loan)	12	(1)
2010–2011	→ Nice (loan)	24	(0)
2011–	Nice	12	(0)
National team
2007–2009	France U21	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:04, 23 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Didier Frederic Digard (born 12 July 1986) is a French footballer who plays for Ligue 1 club Nice as a midfielder, having previously played for Le Havre, Paris Saint-Germain and Middlesbrough. He has represented France at youth international level.

Playing career

Le Havre

Digard started his career with Le Havre, and spent eight years at the club. He played over 70 league games for the club.

Paris Saint-Germain

In June 2007, he was strongly linked with a move from Le Havre to the Premier League with Aston Villa, Reading and West Ham United interested. However, he eventually opted to stay in France, and signed a three year deal with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain on 3 July 2007 for a transfer fee of €2.5 million. Digard made his debut for PSG in their opening match draw against Sochaux.

Middlesbrough

On 4 July 2008, he signed for Middlesbrough on a four-year contract after the club agreed a €5 million (£4 million) deal with PSG.

In the process of signing with Middlesbrough, Digard rejected overtures from Portsmouth and Monaco.

He made his Middlesbrough debut during the first fixture of the 2008–09 Premier League season, replacing Tuncay Şanlı on the 72nd minute in the 2–1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium. He made his first contribution of note in the 86th minute of the same game, when his wayward shot turned into an assist when it was deflected goalwards by Mido, a goal which turned out to be the winner.

He made his Cup debut against Yeovil Town in the League Cup. He scored a 30 yard goal and the score ended up 5–1 to Middlesbrough.

After another substitute appearance in the 2–1 away defeat to Liverpool, Digard once again came off the bench in the 2–1 home win against Stoke City. Once again, a mishit shot from Digard turned into an assist, with the ball falling to Tuncay to score the winner. On 17 January 2009, Digard was sent off against West Bromwich Albion for a tackle on Borja Valero.

Nice

Digard joined French Ligue 1 club Nice on loan for six months in January 2010, having been limited to 34 appearances for Middlesbrough due to a series of injuries. Upon returning to Middlesbrough that summer, he was told by manager Gordon Strachan that he was surplus to requirements and should seek a move elsewhere. He rejoined Nice on loan in August 2010 for the rest of the 2010–11 season with a view to making the move permanent. Having featured regularly throughout the campaign, a deal was agreed between both clubs, and Digard completed his permanent transfer in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract. "Didier will play in front of the defence," said manager Éric Roy. "This is a pivotal position in modern football and he has all the qualities to do so."

External links

• Didier Digard at L'Équipe
• Didier Digard at Ligue de Football Professionnel
• Didier Digard at Middlesbrough
• Didier Digard career stats at Soccerbase