English Premier League - Player Profile: Sylvain Distin
Distin is a French professional footballer who was born on the 16th of December, 1977 and currently plays for the English Premier League side Everton as a central defender, however he is also capable of playing as a left back or a right back.
Distin spent his childhood in Bagnolet, the same city he was born in. His first French non league club was Joue-Les-Tours but after a year at the non league club, Sylvain moved to Tours, where he played a total number of twenty six times and scored three times during these appearances. The French defender signed his first professional contract at Gueugnon, which is a Ligue 2 club. With his new club, Distin won the Coupe de la Ligue in 2000.
The French stopper impressed during his time at Gueugnon where he was spotted by Paris Saint Germain’s scouts. PSG soon signed Sylvain but his stay at the French giants was short lived as after only a season, Distin went on loan to the English Premier League side Newcastle United. While he was on loan to Newcastle, Distin made thirty five appearances.
After Sylvain’s loan spell at Newcastle, a lot of English clubs approached PSG for his signature. Finally, the French international decided that he would sign for Manchester City, where he would be allowed to play in his preferred role as a center back. The transfer fee that amounted to four million pounds was paid by City to Paris Saint Germain. In his first season with Manchester City, Distin became the club’s player of the year. At the start of the 2003-2004 season, Distin was made the club captain after Ali Benarbia retired.
Sylvain Distin played 207 times for Manchester City and scored six goals. At the end of his contract in 2007 at Manchester City, Distin stated his desire to seek a new challenge and therefore signed for Portsmouth on a three year contract. Upon his arrival at Portsmouth, their manager at the time Harry Redknapp, made him the club’s vice captain.
At the end of the 2007-2008 season, Distin won the prestigious 2008 F.A Cup with Portsmouth. After Sol Campbell left Portsmouth, Distin was named the new club captain. However before the 2009 season began, Everton signed Distin from Portsmouth for a transfer fee of around five million pounds. The French defender was given the number fifteen shirt at Everton, which he still wears today.
Sylvain’s debut came against Wigan Athletic in a English Premier League match. An encounter that Everton eventually won by two goals to one. On 17th of September 2009, Distin scored his first goal for Everton in a UEFA Europa League tie against AEK Athens. His second goal for Everton came against Sporting De Portugal in the same European competition i.e. Europa League. Distin was later on sent off in the same match following a poor tackle which resulted from a weak first touch by the Frenchman itself.
Distin has settled in quite well at Everton, who look to be punching above their weight as they are competing against financial powers of the English Premier League such as Tottenham and Manchester City. In the upcoming 2010-2011 season, Distin will be looking to keep up his terrific form as Everton will try to secure a top seven position.
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