Morgaro Gomis

Morgaro Gomis

Gomis signing autographs in Birmingham City's 2011 pre-season
Personal information
Full nameMorgaro Lima Gomis[1]
Date of birth14 July 1985
Place of birthLe Blanc-Mesnil, France[2]
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[3][4]
Playing positionDefensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
Heart of Midlothian
Number6
Youth career
–Montpellier
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004–2005Windsor & Eton18(1)
2005Dagenham & Redbridge0(0)
2005Windsor & Eton5(0)
2005Barnet0(0)
2005–2006Lewes14(1)
2006–2007Cowdenbeath15(2)
2007–2011Dundee United150(6)
2011–2013Birmingham City31(0)
2013–2014Dundee United16(0)
2014–Heart of Midlothian33(1)
National team
2009Senegal2(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:06, 12 June 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Morgaro Lima Gomis (born 14 July 1985) is a Senegal international professional footballer who plays for Scottish Championship side Heart of Midlothian, as a midfielder.

Starting his career in France, Gomis spent most of his early career in English non-League football before moving to Scottish Football League side Cowdenbeath. His performances earned him a move to Dundee United in January 2007, where he exceeded expectations and was young player of the year for 2007–08. He was part of the Dundee United side that won the Scottish Cup in 2010 and was the first African to have played 100 times for the club. He left the club when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season to join Football League Championship side Birmingham City. Gomis left Birmingham City in July 2013, having made 43 appearances for the club. He then rejoined Dundee United for a season before signing for Hearts in 2014.

Although born in Paris and self-identifying as French, Gomis represents Senegal at international level, for whom he qualifies through his Senegalese parents.

Career

Early career

Gomis was at Montpellier in his youth and had unsuccessful trials with Chelsea, Freiburg and Lausanne-Sport.

England

Gomis spent several years playing in English non-League football. In 2004, he signed for Windsor & Eton and featured in 18 league matches, scoring once. In January 2005, Gomis moved to Dagenham & Redbridge[5] but the move quickly became controversial after an agent became involved in a contract row with the club. Gomis left in March 2005 without making an appearance and rejoined Windsor,[6] playing in five matches before the end of the season. Gomis had a short stay with Barnet at the start of the 2005–06 season – where he featured in a matchday squad once as an unused substitute – but moved to Lewes after his month-to-month contract wasn't renewed. Gomis played in fourteen league matches and scored once during his stay with Lewes.

Cowdenbeath

In July 2006, Gomis moved to Scotland and joined Cowdenbeath who at the time were managed by Mixu Paatelainen.[7] While at the Central Park club, Gomis scored 2 goals including a 25-yarder versus Peterhead and a last minute diving header to secure a 3–2 win at home to Forfar Athletic.

Dundee United

Gomis playing for Dundee United

On 8 December, just four months after his Cowdenbeath debut, Gomis agreed a move to Scottish Premier League side Dundee United and joined in January 2007, signing until the end of the following season. Such was Gomis's earlier-than-expected impact – Manager Craig Levein had said upon signing him that he would "not go straight into the first team"[8] – that he was given a two-year extension to his contract in September 2007. Gomis said he was "very happy" and "delighted".[9] In January 2009, Gomis received a further extension to his contract. Gomis received the first winners medal of his senior career as part of the Dundee United squad that won the Scottish Cup against Ross County in May 2010. Four years on ahead of another Scottish Cup Final, Gomis believe the final of "the atmosphere has been very similar."[10]

In April 2011, manager Peter Houston indicated that he expected Gomis to leave at the end of the season because the club was unable to match the player's demands.[11]

Birmingham City

On 16 June 2011, Championship side Birmingham City completed the signing of free agent Gomis on a two-year deal.[12] He made his debut in the Football League on the opening day of the 2011–12 season, playing the whole of a 2–1 defeat at Derby County.[13] At home to Millwall, Gomis, described by the Telegraph's reporter as "combin[ing] industry with silky passes from his deep-lying central midfield position", played a "deliciously weighted pass" behind the defence from which Jean Beausejour crossed for Chris Wood to open the scoring.[14]

In May 2013, Birmingham confirmed that they were not going to take up their option to extend Gomis' contract, so he was to leave the club at the end of the season when his existing deal expired.[15]

Return to Dundee United

After training with the club for several weeks, Gomis rejoined Dundee United on 10 October 2013.[16] He signed a contract until the end of the 2013–14 season.[17]

He made his first appearance since returning to the club on 26 October 2013, in a 4–0 victory against St. Mirren.[18] On 12 April 2014, he came on as a substitute in the Scottish Cup Semi Final at Ibrox as United defeated Rangers 3–1, progressing to the Final.[19] However, Gomis struggled to earn through the first team place, instead spending on the substitute bench. Gomis was included in the Scottish Cup Final as an un-used substitute, as Dundee United would lose 2-0 against St. Johnstone.[20] At the end of the 2013-14 season, Gomis was among nine players to be released by the club upon expiry of his contract.[21]

Heart of Midlothian

On 12 June 2014, Gomis signed for Hearts on a three-year contract, becoming the first signing under new management of Robbie Neilson, as well as, the first signing since Hearts coming out of administration.[22] At the time of his contract expiring, Gomis was heavily linked with a move to Hearts.[23]

On 30 November 2014, Gomis was sent off in the 8th minute of Hearts' Scottish Cup fourth round match against Celtic for a two-footed challenge on Scott Brown; Hearts went on to lose the home match 0–4.[24]

International career

In March 2009, Gomis received his first international call-up, being named in Senegal's squad for friendly matches against Oman and Iran.[25] Having been born in France of Senegalese parents, Gomis had always considered himself to be French, but was reportedly "flattered and surprised" by the call-up. Having initially said he would consider carefully whether to accept,[26] he later announced his decision to play for Senegal. He made his debut that week in the starting eleven against Oman, a 2–0 defeat, and played as a substitute in the 1–1 draw with Iran.[27]

Career statistics

As of 26 July 2014
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Windsor and Eton 2004–05[28] Isthmian League Premier Div. 23 1 n/k — n/k 23 1
Lewes 2005–06[29] Conference South 14 1 n/k — n/k 14 1
Cowdenbeath 2006–07[30] Scottish League Second Div. 15 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 19 2
Dundee United 2006–07[30] Scottish Premier League 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
2007–08[31] Scottish Premier League 36 1 3 0 5 1 0 0 44 2
2008–09[32] Scottish Premier League 37 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 43 0
2009–10[33] Scottish Premier League 31 4 6 0 2 0 0 0 39 4
2010–11[34] Scottish Premier League 34 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 40 1
Total 150 6 13 0 13 1 2 0 178 7
Birmingham City 2011–12[35] Championship 16 0 5 0 1 0 2 0 24 0
2012–13[36] Championship 15 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
Total 31 0 7 0 3 0 2 0 43 0
Dundee United 2013–14[37] Scottish Premiership 16 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 21 0
Total 16 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 21 0
Heart of Midlothian 2014–15[38] Scottish Championship 33 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 36 1
Total 33 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 36 1
Career total 282 11 25 0 20 1 7 0 334 12

Honours

Dundee United
Heart of Midlothian

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 4. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 428. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ↑ "Player profiles: Morgaro Gomis". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "1st team: Morgaro Gomis". Dundee United F.C. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "Daggers snap up midfielder Gomis". BBC Sport. 21 January 2005.
  6. ↑ "Gomissing, Gone!". DiggerDagger.com. 1 April 2005.
  7. ↑ "Gomis wins deal at Central Park". BBC Sport. 19 July 2006.
  8. ↑ "Gomis makes Dundee United switch". BBC Sport website. 8 September 2006.
  9. ↑ "Gomis extends Dundee Utd contract". BBC Sport website. 18 September 2007.
  10. ↑ "Gomis: ‘This feels like four years ago’". Evening Telegraph. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Conway, Buaben and Gomis to leave Dundee United". BBC Sport website. 29 April 2011.
  12. ↑ "Gomis deal a go go". Birmingham City F.C. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Derby 2–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  14. ↑ Haugstad, Thore (11 September 2011). "Birmingham City 3 Millwall 0: match report". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ↑ Tattum, Colin (5 May 2013). "Blues release four senior players but five are offered new deals". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Morgaro Gomis makes Tannadice return". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  17. ↑ "Morgaro Gomis rejoins United". Dundee United F.C. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  18. ↑ Scott, Gareth (26 October 2013). "Dundee United v St Mirren". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  19. ↑ Wilson, Richard (12 April 2014). "Rangers 1-3 Dundee United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Scottish Cup Final: St Johnstone 2 - 0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Dundee Utd: Gavin Gunning, Mark Millar and Morgaro Gomis exit". BBC Sport. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Gomis signs on". Heart of Midlothian Official Website. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  23. ↑ "Gomis may be on way to Jam Tarts". Evening Telegraph. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  24. ↑ Southwick, Andrew (30 November 2014). "Hearts 0-4 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "International call-ups". Dundee United F.C. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  26. ↑ Roache, Ian (17 March 2009). "Gomis considers shock cap call from Senegal". The Courier. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  27. ↑ "Dundee United veut garder Morgaro Gomis" [Dundee United want to keep Morgaro Gomis] (in French). Agence de Presse Sénégalaise. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  28. ↑ "Player Details: Season 2004-2005: Morgaro Gomis". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  29. ↑ "Player Details: Season 2005-2006: Morgaro Gomis". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Morgaro Gomis in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2013.

External links