Sébastien Squillaci
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sébastien Squillaci | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) 79 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sevilla FC | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 September 2008 | |||
Sébastien Squillaci (born 11 August 1980 in Toulon, France) is a French footballer who is a centre back, currently playing for Sevilla.
Career
AS Monaco
Squillaci began his football career playing for local club Sporting Toulon before making the move to the Monaco-based club AS Monaco. Unable to establish himself as a regular, Claude Puel decided to loan him to Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio, where he became one of their most notable players.
After Puel's departure and the appointment of new manager Didier Deschamps, Squillaci decided to return to Monaco in 2002. In his first full season as a player for Monaco, he established himself as a first choice centre back helping Monaco finish 2nd in the league and winning the Coupe de la Ligue. Squillaci then established himself of the European stage during Monaco's remarkable run to the UEFA Champions League final in 2004. Squillaci's contribution came in Monaco's away leg tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid when he scored a vital away goal for his side. Although they would lose 2-4, they won the return leg 3-1, thus advancing through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule where they defeated Chelsea. Unfortunately, their remarkable run would come to an end as they suffered a 0-3 defeat to Portuguese giants F.C. Porto in the final.
Olympique Lyonnais
After the departure of Deschamps and a disappointing 10th place finish after years of European qualification, Squillaci opted to play elsewhere. He was linked to several clubs before inking a four-year deal with Olympique Lyonnais with Lyon's Sylvain Monsoreau heading the other way as compensation for Monaco.[1]
Squillaci made his debut for Lyon in their opening match of the Ligue 1 season pairing with the Brazilian centre back Cris. Lyon would go on to dominate the season winning the league by an unprecedented 17 points.
Squillaci has since gone on to established himself as the first choice centre back, along with Cris, at Lyon.
Sevilla FC
On the 15 July 2008 it was reported that Lyon had agreed a £5m deal with to sell Squillaci to Spanish side Sevilla FC.[2] Squillaci agreed to a three-year deal.[3]
International career
Squillaci is a regular France international since 2004, making his debut in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently has 13 caps for France.[4]
Honours
- 2002 Ligue 2 Champion (AC Ajaccio)
- 2003 Coupe de la Ligue Champion (AS Monaco)
- 2004 Champions League Finalist (AS Monaco)
- 2006 Trophée des Champions (Olympique Lyonnais)
- 2007 Ligue 1 Champion (Olympique Lyonnais)
- 2007 Coupe de la Ligue Finalist (Olympique Lyonnais)
- 2008 Ligue 1 Champion (Olympique Lyonnais)
