Originally Posted by
gunnerrrrr
Early career
Squillaci began his football career playing for hometown club FC Seynois. While training at La Seyne, he was described by his coach Franck Seva as a "lovely, quiet boy".[6] Squillaci spent a decade at the club before moving to professional club Sporting Toulon in 1996 at the age of 16. He was originally a defensive midfielder and spent only one season in the club's youth academy, where he was supervised by former club player Christian Dalger.[5] Squillaci began the 1997–98 season playing on the club's reserve team. Following the firing of Albert Emon mid-season, he was replaced with Dalger. In March 1998, Dalger, subsequently, called up Squillaci to the first team and he made his professional debut on 7 March 1998 in a 1–0 league win over Nice appearing as a substitute for Victor Agali.[7] With Toulon in a relegation battle, Squillaci made substitute appearances in wins over Lille, Le Mans, and Lorient and defeats to Martigues and Red Star Paris.[8][9][10][10][11] Toulon ultimately finished the campaign in 20th place, which resulted in the club's relegation to the Championnat National, the third level of French football. Squillaci finished the season with five appearances in the league and one in the Coupe de France. Toulon, surprisingly, reached the Round of 16 in the latter competition.
[edit]Monaco
Due to not being under a professional contract while playing with Toulon, Squillaci was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. He was recruited by Monaco and joined the club in 1998. Following his signing, Squillaci was inserted onto the club's reserve team, which was playing in the Championnat de France amateur, the fourth level of French football. He spent two years playing on the club's reserve team from 1998 to 2000 amassing over 45 appearances. After failing to establish himself under Claude Puel, Monaco officials announced that Squillaci would be heading to Corsica to join Ligue 2 club AC Ajaccio on loan. In two seasons with the club, Squillaci appeared in over 70 matches and helped the club achieve promotion to Ligue 2.
After Puel's departure and the appointment of new manager Didier Deschamps, Squillaci joined Monaco in 2002. In his first full season as a player for his side. Facing Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, they progressed despite losing 4–2 in Madrid, due to the 3–1 victory in the return leg, thus advancing through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule where they beat Chelsea.[12][13][14] Their run came to an end when they suffered a 3–0 defeat to Portuguese giants FC Porto in the final.[15][16] Squillaci made 117 appearances for the club over six seasons.
[edit]Olympique Lyonnais
After the departure of Deschamps and a disappointing 11th 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.[17] 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 18 points. Squillaci went on to establish himself as the first choice centre back, along with Brazilian international Cris, at Lyon.
[edit]Sevilla
On the 14 July 2008, it was reported that Lyon had reached an agreement with Sevilla FC for the transfer of Squiallaci for a transfer fee of £6m.[18] Squillaci agreed to a three-year deal.[19] Six months after his departure from Sevilla, in January 2011, officials of Squillaci's second club Toulon confirmed that the club was seeking €150,000 in compensation from Spanish club Sevilla. The compensation Toulon is seeking is related to a trainers' fee, in which clubs who trained a player from ages 12–18 are guaranteed 5% of any future transfer fee. Sevilla has agreed to meet with the Toulon, but no agreement has been reached.[20]
[edit]Arsenal
Squillaci joined Arsenal F.C. on a three-year contract in the summer of 2010, taking the number 18 shirt, previously held by ex-Arsenal centre backs Mikaël Silvestre and Pascal Cygan. Following an injury to centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, Squillaci formed a central defensive partnership with fellow new signing, Laurent Koscielny. Squillaci scored his first goal for Arsenal in the Champions League group stage against Partizan Belgrade. His first Premier League goal came in a match against Stoke on 23 February 2011 following a cross from Nicklas Bendtner. During the 2010–11 season, Squillaci made 32 appearances and has scored 2 goals for the Gunners in all competitions.
[edit]International career
Squillaci has been a regular France international since 2004, making his debut in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.[21] He currently has 21 caps for France.
thank you!
Posting Permissions
