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David Bellion

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David Bellion
Bellion training with Bordeaux in 2009
Personal information
Full name David Bellion[1]
Date of birth (1982-11-27) 27 November 1982 (age 41)[2]
Place of birth Sèvres, France
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1996–1998 Cannes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2001 Cannes 0 (0)
2001–2003 Sunderland 20 (1)
2003–2006 Manchester United 24 (4)
2005–2006 → West Ham United (loan) 8 (0)
2006 → Nice (loan) 15 (5)
2006–2007 Nice 30 (7)
2007–2014 Bordeaux 156 (28)
2010–2011 → Nice (loan) 10 (0)
2014–2016 Red Star 29 (8)
Total 250 (45)
International career
2002–2003 France U21 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David Bellion (born 27 November 1982) is a French former professional footballer who played as a striker. His previous clubs include Cannes, Sunderland, Manchester United, West Ham United, Nice, Bordeaux and Red Star.

Club career

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Cannes

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Bellion was born in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine,[4] to a Senegalese father and French mother.[5] He started his career at Cannes at the age of 14, and earned a move to English club Sunderland in the summer of 2001. In his youth, he was a talented athlete, competing in the 2001 National Indoor Youth Championships, where he won the 60 metres.[6]

Sunderland

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Bellion signed for Premier League club Sunderland in July 2001.[7] He made his debut at Fulham in August 2001, coming on as a substitute. His first senior goal was against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light which gave Sunderland a 1–0 win in September 2002.[8] It was his only Premier League goal for Sunderland. Following the goal, Bellion became a first-team regular at Sunderland, although he was unable to save them from relegation with the third-lowest Premier League points tally ever. During the 2002–03 season, Sunderland offered a new contract,[9] but he turned it down[10] as he wanted to leave the club.[11] He agreed a move to Manchester United in July 2003,[12] although the transfer was completed amid "tapping up" allegations that were resolved by Sunderland,[13] receiving a compensation payment of £2 million, rising to £3 million depending on appearances, in an out-of-court agreement.[14]

Manchester United

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Bellion scored on his Manchester United debut against Celtic on the club's pre-season American tour. His first competitive goal came at Leeds United in the League Cup,[15] and he scored two goals in the 2003–04 season, against Everton[16] and Tottenham Hotspur,[17] both at Old Trafford. During the season, he made his Champions League debut when he came on as a substitute in the 5–0 win over Panathinaikos in the group stage.[18][19]

Despite being compared to Thierry Henry and early-season goals against Norwich City[20] and Bolton Wanderers,[21] the 2004–05 campaign proved frustrating for Bellion as he found himself increasingly frozen out of the first-team squad. His season was curtailed in early May, when he suffered a fractured fibula against Charlton Athletic Reserves.[22] During 2004–05, Bellion scored his first Champions League goal (not including qualifiers)[23] in a 6–2 win over Fenerbahçe and was involved in the squad for the FA Community Shield in a 3–1 loss against Arsenal.[24]

Bellion spent time on loan at West Ham United at the beginning of the 2005–06 season.[25] He scored on his debut, a League Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on 20 September 2005.[26] After the match, manager Alan Pardew praised Bellion, believing he could make an impact at the club.[27] However, he never flourished and his first-team opportunities were limited and he went on to make just ten appearances for the club, mostly as a substitute.[citation needed]

Nice

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He returned to France on 9 January 2006, joining Nice on loan until the end of the season,[28][29] a move that was later made permanent in June 2006. Speaking of his move, Bellion said it was good to be home in France, and he settled quickly at the club.[30] Shortly after his move, Bellion made his debut, coming on as a substitute and receiving a yellow card, in a 0–0 draw against Nantes. Bellion scored in the quarter-final of Coupe de la Ligue in a 2–1 win over Bordeaux on 17 January 2006.[31] The club advanced to the semi-final and then progressed to the final but lost against Nancy on 22 April 2006. On 14 February 2006, he scored his first goal, the only goal in the match, against Saint-Étienne. Toward the end of the season, he scored three goals in three matches against Rennes, Ajaccio and Metz. At the end of the season, Bellion signed a permanent deal with the club.[32] After finally leaving Manchester United, Bellion said he had no hard feelings toward the club,[33] and also said his experience in English football was "frustrating".[34]

In his first permanent season at Nice, Bellion's form dropped. He made several critical errors and misjudgements, and scored eight goals. Following an injury on 23 December 2006, in a 2–1 loss against Lens, it was announced that Bellion would be out for three weeks.[35] Soon after, he had another injury on his right fibula.[36] He completed his recovery on 9 March 2007 after three months on the sidelines.[37] Despite this, Bellion finished his first season with eight goals, making him the club's joint top scorer in the league along with Bakari Koné.[citation needed]

Bordeaux

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Bellion with Bordeaux

Bellion joined Bordeaux on 15 July 2007, signing a four-year deal for a fee rumoured to total €4.5 million. He was signed as a replacement for Jean-Claude Darcheville.[38] He marked his first match by scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Lens. Up until the second half of the season, he was in impressive form, scoring eight goals in twelve matches. However, in the second half, he only scored four goals. The club would end up in second place behind Lyon, who won their seventh title. Despite failing to win the league and his faltering form in the latter half, Bellion said it was his best season.[39]

The following 2008–09 season, Bellion became third-choice striker behind Marouane Chamakh and Fernando Cavenaghi, limiting his first-team opportunities.[40] He managed to score four goals this season while mostly playing off the bench. In the UEFA Cup third round against Galatasaray, he scored past Morgan De Sanctis in just eleven seconds, the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA Cup, but Bordeaux lost 4–3. Towards the end of the season, the club would win not only the Coupe de la Ligue but also the league.[citation needed]

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Bellion signed a three-year contract with the club, keeping him there until 2014.[41] He did not regret this, when asked by L'Équipe after the season ended whether he regretted signing a contract in the interview.[42] Bellion spoken out of his first team, saying he had become more increasingly frustrated at the club, due to lack of regular football.[43][44] However, in three seasons, Bellion was barely used in the first team and stayed on the substitutes bench, even upon his return on loan from Nice and also his own injury concerns. In an interview with Goal.com, Bellion claims that he was ignored by the team's management.[45]

In December 2010, Bellion returned to Nice on loan until the end of the season, to gain first-team experience.[46] Shortly after moving, he believed the move would relaunch his career. However, his time at Nice was 'forgettable', due to his lack of goals, goals that he had produced four years ago, and much to the fans' dismay and also his own injury concerns, like being injured in a taxi for example.[47] He departed back to Bordeaux at the end of the season.[citation needed]

Bellion scored his first goal in two years since September 2010 in the Europa League in a 1–0 win over Marítimo on 8 November 2012.[48] After the match, Bellion spoke of his first goal as "running a rhythm" to score.[49] He scored again, in the second round of Coupe de France, in a 2–1 win to Moulins. A few weeks later, Bellion scored his first league in over four years, in a 2–0 win against Valenciennes.[50] After the match, Bellion described his first goal in over a year as "mini relief and a small reward".[51] However, towards the end of the season, Bellion was soon less included, especially missing out from the squad, when the club won the Coupe de France.[citation needed]

In June 2013, Bellion was linked with a move to the United States, where he trained with the New York Cosmos on trial.[52] Eventually, his trial with them ended after he rejected a move, and he travelled back to Bordeaux.[53]

Red Star

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In July 2014, after his contract with Bordeaux expired, Bellion joined Championnat National club Red Star.[54] He registered a consolation goal on his first appearance on 8 August 2014 to Amiens,[55] as Red Star were defeated 3–1.[56] Bellion's goals helped Red Star win the league and gain promotion to Ligue 2 after beating Istres with a 4–0 victory at home on 8 May 2015.[57] After ending his playing career in 2016, Bellion remained with the club after being appointed their creative director, building links between the club and the world of culture and the arts.[58]

Honours

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Manchester United

Bordeaux

Red Star

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "David Bellion". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  2. ^ "David Bellion". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  3. ^ "David Bellion: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  4. ^ "David Bellion". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  5. ^ "ESPN.com Soccernet England: News - Senegal want Black Cats' Bellion". ESPN FC.
  6. ^ http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2007/20070807_141337Dev.html[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Walker, Graham (3 July 2001). "Young French Striker Signs". SAFC.com. Sunderland Association Football Club. Archived from the original on 21 November 2001. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Sunderland edge to victory". BBC Sport. 28 September 2002. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Black Cats plan talks". Sky Sports. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Bellion rejects Black Cats offer". Sky Sports. 23 December 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  11. ^ "Bellion reveals exit plans". Sky Sports. 28 December 2002. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Bellion makes United move". Sky Sports. 1 July 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Black Cats request Bellion tribunal". Sky Sports. 2 July 2003. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  14. ^ "United agree Bellion fee". Sky Sports. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Leeds 2–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 28 October 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  16. ^ "Man Utd 3–2 Everton". BBC Sport. 26 December 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  17. ^ "Man Utd 3–0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 20 March 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  18. ^ "Man Utd wreak Greek havoc". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 September 2003. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Games played by David Bellion in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Man Utd 2–1 Norwich". BBC Sport. 21 August 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  21. ^ "Bolton 2–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 11 September 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  22. ^ "Bellion injury agony". Sky Sports. 13 May 2005. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  23. ^ "Man Utd 3-0 D Bucharest". BBC Sport. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Man Utd 6-2 Fenerbahce". BBC Sport. 28 September 2004. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Hammers sign Bellion". Sky Sports. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  26. ^ "Sheff Wed 2–4 West Ham". BBC Sport. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  27. ^ "Pardew: Bell tolls for us". Sky Sports. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  28. ^ "Nice move for Bellion". Sky Sports. 9 January 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  29. ^ "Foot - Transfers Bellion on loan to Nice" [Foot - Transferts Bellion prêté à Nice]. L'Equipe (in French). 9 January 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Bellion: Nice to be home". Sky Sports. 20 January 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  31. ^ "Nice reach semis". Sky Sports. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  32. ^ "United confirm striker sale". Sky Sports. 17 April 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  33. ^ "Nice life suits Bellion". Sky Sports. 23 April 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Bellion admits English frustration". Sky Sports. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  35. ^ "Foot - L1 - Nice Bellion missing three weeks" [Foot - L1 - Nice Bellion absent trois semaines]. L'Equipe (in French). 9 January 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  36. ^ "Foot - L1 - Nice Early Laslandes" [Foot - L1 - Nice Les débuts de Laslandes]. L'Equipe (in French). 12 January 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  37. ^ "Foot-L1-Nice Balmont back, Kone package" [Foot-L1-Nice Balmont de retour, Koné forfait]. L'Equipe (in French). 9 March 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  38. ^ "Bordeaux bag Bellion". Sky Sports. 29 July 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  39. ^ "Foot - L1 Chamakh: "My best season"" [Foot - L1 Chamakh : "Ma meilleure saison"]. L'Equipe (in French). 16 May 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  40. ^ "Foot - C1 - Bordeaux Chamakh and not Cavenaghi" [Foot - C1 - Bordeaux Chamakh et non Cavenaghi]. L'Equipe (in French). 4 November 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2013.[dead link‍]
  41. ^ "Bellion pens Bordeaux deal". Sky Sports. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  42. ^ "Bellion: "I was dead" [Bellion : "J'étais mort"]. L'Equipe (in French). 2 July 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  43. ^ "Bellion reveals frustration". Sky Sports. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  44. ^ "Bellion: "I saw it very bad"" [Foot - L1 - Bordeaux : Bellion: "Je vis ça très mal"]. L'Equipe (in French). 1 April 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  45. ^ "Exclusive: Nice's David Bellion Critical Of Girondins De Bordeaux Coach Jean Tigana". Goal.com. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  46. ^ "Accord pour le prêt de Bellion". Archived from the original on 1 January 2011.
  47. ^ "Bellion injured in taxi" [Bellion blessé en taxi]. L'Equipe (in French). 13 April 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  48. ^ "The bare minimum for Bordeaux" [Foot - Ligue Europa - Gr. D : Le minimum syndical pour Bordeaux]. L'Equipe (in French). 8 November 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  49. ^ "Bellion: "I can make myself winnow!"" [Foot - Ligue Europa : Bellion: "Je peux me faire vanner !"]. L'Equipe (in French). 8 November 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  50. ^ "Bordeaux spends fourth" [Bordeaux passe la 4e]. L'Equipe (in French). 2 February 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  51. ^ "Bellion: "I waited my turn"" [Foot - Ligue 1 - Bordeaux : Bellion :"J'ai attendu mon tour"]. L'Equipe (in French). 3 February 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  52. ^ "Report: Former Manchester United player Bellion training with New York Cosmos". Empire of Soccer. 15 June 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  53. ^ "David Bellion no longer in New York Cosmos' plans". Empire of Soccer. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  54. ^ "DAVID BELLION SIGNE AU RED STAR !" (in French). Red Star F.C. 2 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  55. ^ "David Bellion" (in French). Championnat National. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  56. ^ "Le Red Star chute en terre picarde" [Red Star fall in Picardy soil] (in French). Red Star F.C. 9 August 2014. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  57. ^ "Seize ans après l'avoir quittée, le Red Star fête son retour en Ligue 2" [Sixteen years after leaving, Red Star celebrates her return to Ligue 2] (in French). Eurosport. Agence France-Presse. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  58. ^ Godfrey, Mark (20 January 2018). "Red Star: the oldest, hippest and most political football club in Paris". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  59. ^ "Man Utd win Community Shield". BBC Sport. 10 August 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  60. ^ "Girondins de Bordeaux 2008-09". BDFutbol. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  61. ^ "BORDEAUX – LYON : LES COMPOS". rmcsport.bfmtv.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  62. ^ "Trophée des champions - Bordeaux-Guingamp, les compos". goal.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  63. ^ "Bordeaux vs Vannes". ESPN. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  64. ^ "Bellion élu meilleur joueur du mois d'août" [Bellion named August Player of the Month]. BFM TV (in French). 18 September 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
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