Sébastien Squillaci (born 11 August 1980 in Toulon, France) is a French footballer who is a centre back, currently playing for Sevilla FC of La Liga.

[edit] Career

[edit] AS Monaco

Squillaci began his football career playing for local club Sporting Toulon before making the move to the Monaco-based club AS Monaco. Unable to establish himself as a regular, Claude Puel decided to loan him to Ligue 2 side AC Ajaccio, where he became one of their most notable players.

After Puel's departure and the appointment of new manager Didier Deschamps, Squillaci decided to return to Monaco in 2002. In his first full season as a player for Monaco, he established himself as a first choice centre back helping Monaco finish 2nd in the league and winning the Coupe de la Ligue. Squillaci then established himself of the European stage during Monaco's remarkable run to the UEFA Champions League final in 2004. Squillaci's contribution came in Monaco's away leg tie against Spanish giants Real Madrid when he scored a vital away goal for his side. Although they would lose 2–4, they won the return leg 3–1, thus advancing through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule where they defeated Chelsea. Unfortunately, their remarkable run would come to an end as they suffered a 0–3 defeat to Portuguese giants FC Porto in the final.

[edit] Olympique Lyonnais

After the departure of Deschamps and a disappointing 10th 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.^[1]

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 17 points.

Squillaci went on to established himself as the first choice centre back, along with Cris, at Lyon.

[edit] Sevilla FC

On the 15 July 2008 it was reported that Lyon had agreed a £5m deal to sell Squillaci to Spanish side Sevilla FC.^[2] Squillaci agreed a three-year deal.^[3]

[edit] International career

Squillaci is a regular France international since 2004, making his debut in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He currently has 18 caps for France.^[4]

[edit] Honours

[edit] AC Ajaccio

• Ligue 2
  • Winner: 2001-02

[edit] AS Monaco

• Coupe de la Ligue
  • Winner: 2003
• Champions League
  • Finalist: 2004

[edit] Olympique Lyonnais

• Ligue 1
  • Winner: 2006-07, 2007-08
• Trophée des Champions
  • Winner: 2006
• Coupe de la Ligue
  • Finalist: 2007

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• FFF.fr

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