General |
Laurent Koscielny | ||
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Personal information | ||
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Full name: | Laurent Koscielny | |
Date of birth: | 10 September 1985 | |
Place of birth: | Tulle, ![]() | |
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | |
Playing position: | Centre back | |
Youth clubs | ||
1993-1995 1995-1997 1997-1998 1998-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 |
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Senior clubs | ||
Years | Club | App (Gls) |
2004–2007 2007–2009 2009–2010 2010–2019 2019–2022 Total |
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67 (6) 35 (3) 255 (22) 62 (0) 460 (31) | 41 (0)
National team | ||
2011-2018 | ![]() |
51 (1) |
Laurent Koscielny (born 10 September 1985) is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre back.
Born in Tulle, Koscielny began his football career playing for a host of youth clubs before moving to Guingamp in 2003, where he quickly progressed through the youth ranks, making his professional debut the following season. After becoming frustrated at being played out of position as a right back, he joined Tours for an undisclosed fee, quickly establishing himself as the team's star player in his desired position, ultimately aiding in the club's promotion into Ligue 1, while also being named in the Ligue 2 Team of the Season. Koscielny continued his impressive performances following a €1.7 million transfer to fellow French outfit Lorient in 2009, receiving multiple plaudits for his performances, largely cultivating a reputation as a clever, agile, ball-playing defender. His achievements and footballing potential attracted Arsenal, ultimately moving to the Premier League side for a fee of £8.45 million the following season.
Following his arrival in England, Koscielny was regarded as one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. He had established himself as a core component in the Arsenal first team, as well as contributing with a host of individual performances, including aiding in ending the club's nine-year trophy drought, scoring a crucial equalizer en route to winning the FA Cup in 2014. He was also crucial in further club successes that followed, winning another FA Cup and the FA Community Shield twice.
Despite qualifying to represent Poland, Koscielny instead decided to represent France, and first appeared up for the national team against Brazil in February 2011. Koscielny became a regular starter for the nation in every major tournament that they have appeared in, including UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while also leading France to the final of UEFA Euro 2016, which they lost to Portugal. He scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Scotland in 2016, and amassed fifty-one appearances for the national side. He retired from international football in 2018.
Honours[]
Clubs[]
- Arsenal
Winner:
Runner-up:
External links[]
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France – UEFA Euro 2012 |
1. Lloris (c)
2. Debuchy
3. Evra
4. Rami
5. Mexès
6. Cabaye
7. Ribéry
8. Valbuena
9. Giroud
10. Benzema
11. Nasri
12. Matuidi
13. Réveillère
14. Ménez
15. Malouda
16. Mandanda
17. M'Vila
18. Diarra
19. Martin
20. Ben Arfa
21. Koscielny
22. Clichy
23. Carrasso
Manager: |
France – 2014 FIFA World Cup – Quarter-finals |
1. Lloris (c)
2. Debuchy
3. Evra
4. Varane
5. Sakho
6. Cabaye
7. Cabella
8. Valbuena
9. Giroud
10. Benzema
11. Griezmann
12. Mavuba
13. Mangala
14. Matuidi
15. Sagna
16. Ruffier
17. Digne
18. Sissoko
19. Pogba
20. Rémy
21. Koscielny
22. Schneiderlin
23. Landreau
Manager: |
France – UEFA Euro 2016 – Runners-up |
1. Lloris
2. Jallet
3. Evra
4. Rami
5. Kanté
6. Cabaye
7. Griezmann
8. Payet
9. Giroud
10. Gignac
11. Martial
12. Schneiderlin
13. Mangala
14. Matuidi
15. Pogba
16. Mandanda
17. Digne
18. Sissoko
19. Sagna
20. Coman
21. Koscielny
22. Umtiti
23. Costil
Manager: |