Carl Medjani

Carl Medjani
Personal information
Date of birth15 May 1985
Place of birthLyon, France
Height1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionCentre Back
Club information
Current team
Trabzonspor
Number6
Youth career
2000–2003Saint-Étienne
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2006Liverpool0(0)
2004–2005→ Lorient (loan)25(0)
2005–2006→ Metz (loan)23(0)
2006–2008Lorient9(0)
2007–2008→ Ajaccio (loan)35(1)
2008–2013Ajaccio149(7)
2013–2014Monaco15(0)
2013–2014→ Olympiacos (loan)4(0)
2014→ Valenciennes (loan)16(1)
2014–Trabzonspor22(6)
National team‡
2001–2002France U1616(0)
2002–2003France U1710(0)
2003–2004France U188(0)
2004–2006France U215(1)
2010–Algeria32(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:41, 27 April 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2014

Carl Medjani (born 15 May 1985) is a Algerian international footballer who currently plays as a defender for Trabzonspor and the Algerian national team, for which he is currently vice-captain.

Club career

Liverpool

After spending his youth development years at Saint-Étienne he was signed by Liverpool's manager Gérard Houllier in August 2003.[1] Liverpool beat off stiff competition from Premiership rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and German giants Bayern Munich to secure his services.[2] In an interview with L'Equipe, Medjani revealed he left Saint-Étienne because he willing to stay if he have an opportunity with the first team. His request was refused by Manager Frédéric Antonetti.[3]

Medjani struggled to break in the first team was sent on loan to Lorient for the whole 2004–05 season by new Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, where he made twenty five appearance.[4] Despite impressing in the Toulon under-20 tournament in summer 2005,[5] Benítez deemed it necessary for him to gain more experience and so he spent 2005–06 on loan at Metz.[6][7]

Lorient

At the start of the 2006–07 season, he rejoined Lorient, this time on a permanent basis.[8]

Ajaccio

In the 2007–08 season, Medjani move down to Ligue 2 to join Ajaccio for the reminder of the season.[9]

The 2008–09 season earned Medjani a permanent move with the club on a three year deal.[10] Medjani soon made an immediate impact when he scored his first goal in the second round of Coupe de la Ligue, as Ajaccio lose 4–2 against Montpellier. Then on 20 February 2009, Medjani came on as a substitute in the second half and 18 minutes to the game, Medjani was sent off, along with Brahim Ferradj in the same minutes, as Ajaccio drew 1–1 with Brest.[11] Medjani scored his first league goal of the season, as Ajaccio lose 3–1 against Strasbourg.[12]

Following the 2009–10 season and the World Cup, Medjani was linked with Ligue 2 Nantes.[13]

Though finish runner-up in Ligue 2, resulting promotion to Ligue 1, Medjani signed a two year contract extension, keeping him until 2013 with the club.[14] In 2011–12 season, Medjani continued to be in the first team, either playing in centre back and defensive midfield. Medjani would score his first goal in a 3–1 loss against Paris Saint-Germain on 16 October 2011.[15] On 10 December 2012, Medjani made a mistake in the last minutes, allowing Daniel Niculae to score in a 2–2 draw against Nancy, that could ended Ajaccio thirteen games without winning.[16] In April, Medjani scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Saint-Étienne.[17]

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Medjani have desire to leave the club.[18] In December, Medjani started to wear the captain armband after wearing it for the last six matches.[19]

AS Monaco

In January 2013, just prior to the close of the transfer window, Medjani joined Monaco on a three and a half year contract from Ajaccio.[20]

Following Monaco promotion, Medjani was told by Manager Claudio Ranieri that his first team will be limited following the club's spending spree.[21] Following his loan spell from Valenciennes, Medjani spell at Monaco came to an end despite having two-years contract left.[22]

Loan spells

In July 2013, Medjani was sent as a loan to Olympiacos from Monaco until 1 January 2014, view to a permanent move.[23] After six months without being satisfied with his participation in Olympiacos, he returned to his parent club.[24]

Upon his return to France, Monaco then loaned him till the end of 2013/14 season to Valenciennes.[25] Following his move to Valenciennes, Medjani says he's determined to make an impression at the club and keep his international career status alive ahead of this years World Cup.[26]

Trabzonspor

After leaving Monaco, Medjani was linked with a move to Trabzonspor and Cagliari Calcio,[27] but joined Trabzobspor on a three-year contract.[28] He scored his first goal for the club, in the play-off round, as Trabzonspor beat Rostov 2–0 in the first leg.[29]

International career

Medjani has an Algerian father and a French mother, and was eligible for both national teams. Medjani captained the France U21 team in the 2006 Toulon tournament.[5][30] However, being of Algerian origin, he made the switch to represent Algeria in international competition[30] and was called up by Rabah Saâdane to the Algerian preliminary squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[31]

Personal life

While growing up, Medjani revered boxer Muhammad Ali.[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Reds sign French starlet". Sky. 8 August 2003. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  2. ↑ "Reds pip Bayern, Arsenal, Juve & Utd to 5th summer signing". Liverpool Official Website. 8 August 2003. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Medjani has grown" [Medjani a bien grandi] (in French). L'Equipe. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Medjani leaves on loan". Liverpool Official Website. 6 August 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Medjani leads France to the final". Liverpool Official Website. 9 June 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  6. ↑ "Medjani wants Rafa chat". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "Defender leaves on loan". Liverpool Official Website. 8 August 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "FRENCH DEFENDER LEAVES ANFIELD". Liverpool Official Website. 12 August 2006. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "News from Tuesday" [Foot Transferts Les infos de mardi] (in French). L'Equipe. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Football (transfer) – Carl Medjani signed for three years in AC Ajaccio" [Football (transfert) – Carl Medjani a signé pour trois ans à l'AC Ajaccio] (in French). ALTA Frequenza. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "Sessegnon takes 3 matches" [Sessegnon prend 3 matches] (in French). Le Figaro. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  12. ↑ "Strasbourg and Metz before" [Foot Ligue 2 30e j. Strasbourg et Metz devant] (in French). L'Equipe. 5 April 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Medjani "interested in Nantes"" [Medjani intéressé par Nantes] (in French). L'Equipe. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Medjani remains to Ajaccio" [Medjani reste à Ajaccio] (in French). Le Figaro. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "Gameiro: "Finishing top scorer"" [Gameiro : Finir meilleur buteur] (in French). L'Equipe. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Carl Medjani disappointed" [Carl Medjani déçu] (in French). Le Figaro. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ajaccio: Medjani followed by Montpellier Lorient and other ..." [Ajaccio : Medjani suivi par Montpellier, Lorient et d’autres..] (in French). Foot Mercato. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Ajaccio: Medjani wants to leave!" [Ajaccio : Medjani veut partir!] (in French). Foot Mercato. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  19. ↑ "Medjani and the captaincy" [Medjani et le capitanat] (in French). Le Figaro. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  20. ↑ Toufik O. (January 30, 2013). "Carl Medjani à l'AS Monaco, Orsoni confirme" (in French). DZFoot. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Medjani: "Enough armed"" [Foot Ligue des Champions Olympiakos Medjani : Suffisamment armés] (in French). L'Equipe. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  22. ↑ "Medjani (Monaco) est libre" (in French). L'Equipe. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Medjani Olympiakos (official)" [Foot Transferts Medjani à l'Olympiakos (off.)] (in French). L'Equipe. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  24. ↑ "Transfers: Carl Medjani considering a departure from Olympiacos" [Transferts : Carl Medjani envisage un départ de l'Olympiacos] (in French). DZFoot. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  25. ↑ "Transfers: Carl Medjani officially loaned to Valenciennes" [Transferts: Carl Medjani officiellement prêté à Valenciennes] (in French). DZFoot. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "Carl Medjani eager to impress at Valenciennes". BBC Sport. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  27. ↑ "Cagliari and Trabzonspor in negotiations for Carl Medjani". Get Football News France. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "Carl Medjani and Kevin Constant join Trabzonspor". BBC Sport. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  29. ↑ "Trabzonspor 2 – 0 Rostov: Cardozo scores on his debut". Turkish Football.com. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Carl Medjani". Sky Sports. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "National Team: The 25 players who will go to Switzerland" [Equipe Nationale : Les 25 joueurs qui iront en Suisse] (in French). DZFoot. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  32. ↑ "CARL MEDJANI, SELF-PORTRAIT". AS Monaco Official Website. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.