Bruce Djite
Encyclopedia
Bruce José Djite is an American
-born Australia
n football (soccer)
striker who currently plays for Adelaide United F.C. in the A-League
.
and moved to Sydney
, Australia
with his parents when he was three years old. His father, an associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney
, is from Côte d'Ivoire
and his mother is from Togo
.
Djite joined the Marconi Stallions' Youth League in 2004 after the demise of Northern Spirit and continued to play with the Stallions until the end of the 2006 season (August). He also trained at the NSW Institute of Sport
in Sydney. In 2006, he attended the Australian Institute of Sport
in Canberra
on a football scholarship.
In November 2006, he unsuccessfully trialled for two weeks at SV Werder Bremen
. Upon his return to Australia, he was signed by Adelaide United for the remainder of the 2006/7 season. Djite scored his first goal for Adelaide United in a competitive fixture on April 11, 2007 against Korean champions Seongnam Ilhwa, deftly controlling the ball in the penalty box to volley it into the back of the net.
He scored his first goal in the Hyundai A-league for Adelaide United against Queensland Roar in a 2-2 draw on the 25 of August 2007 at Suncorp Stadium
Djite re-signed with Adelaide the same day his fellow Australian Under 23 team mate Kristian Sarkies
signed with the club.
On May 15, 2008, it was reported that Djite had been released from his contract with Adelaide United to sign for an unnamed European club. On May 21, 2008 Djite agreed to a three year deal with Turkcell Super League
club Gençlerbirliği
for the next season. He made his debut in the Turkcell Super League on August 24, 2008 in a 1-1 draw with Kocaelispor
. Djite scored his first league goal for Gençlerbirliği
in the 45th minute against Denizlispor
on October 25, 2008. Fellow Australian James Troisi
also got off the mark in a game which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Djite finished the 2008-2009 Turkcell Super League
season with 6 goals. In the off-season, Djite revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo
reporter Ben Somerford, Croatian club Hajduk Split were interested in his services but he rejected the move.
On 28 August 2010, it was announced that Djite would return home to Australia to play in the A-League
with Gold Coast United, replacing New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz
who had joined Gençlerbirliği
.
On 23 March 2011, it was announced that Djite had signed a contract with the club that gave him his first Hyundai A-League contract, Adelaide United.
In March 2011, due to the long Hyundai A-League off season Adelaide United agreed for Djite to be loaned to Chinese Super League
club Jiangsu Sainty
.
, Côte d'Ivoire
and Togo
.
He was a star striker for the Young Socceroos
during their 2006 tour of South America and was also chosen in the Australian Under-20 squad to compete at the 2006 AFC Youth Championship
s, in India.
Three days before his 21st birthday, on the 22nd of March, 2008, Djite received his first international cap for the Australian national team, the Socceroos, against Singapore
, courtesy of national coach Pim Verbeek. He was substituted on at half-time and his best chance came when he rounded the Singapore keeper but failed to put it past him, the ball going out for a corner. His first cap in a competitive match was when he came on as a substitute for Harry Kewell
in Australia's World Cup Qualifier against Iraq on June 1, 2008. He then again appeared in the Socceroos next match on June 15, 2008 against Qatar
, coming on as a late substitute.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
striker who currently plays for Adelaide United F.C. in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
.
Club career
Djite was born in Washington DC, United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and moved to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
with his parents when he was three years old. His father, an associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney
University of Western Sydney
The University of Western Sydney, also known as UWS, is a multi-campus university in the Greater Western region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, is from Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
and his mother is from Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
.
Djite joined the Marconi Stallions' Youth League in 2004 after the demise of Northern Spirit and continued to play with the Stallions until the end of the 2006 season (August). He also trained at the NSW Institute of Sport
NSW Institute of Sport
The NSW Institute of Sport , located at Sydney Olympic Park, was established as a statutory body under the Institute of Sport Act, 1995 following a review recommending central coordination and monitoring of high performance sports programs. Operations officially commenced in 1996...
in Sydney. In 2006, he attended the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport - Football (soccer)
The Australian Institute of Sport Football Program is an association football talent identification and player development program run by the Australian Institute of Sport, in Canberra...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
on a football scholarship.
In November 2006, he unsuccessfully trialled for two weeks at SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
. Upon his return to Australia, he was signed by Adelaide United for the remainder of the 2006/7 season. Djite scored his first goal for Adelaide United in a competitive fixture on April 11, 2007 against Korean champions Seongnam Ilhwa, deftly controlling the ball in the penalty box to volley it into the back of the net.
He scored his first goal in the Hyundai A-league for Adelaide United against Queensland Roar in a 2-2 draw on the 25 of August 2007 at Suncorp Stadium
Djite re-signed with Adelaide the same day his fellow Australian Under 23 team mate Kristian Sarkies
Kristian Sarkies
Kristian Sarkies is an Australian football player who currently plays for Melbourne Heart...
signed with the club.
On May 15, 2008, it was reported that Djite had been released from his contract with Adelaide United to sign for an unnamed European club. On May 21, 2008 Djite agreed to a three year deal with Turkcell Super League
Turkcell Super League
The Süper Lig is a Turkish professional league for association football clubs. It is the top-flight of the Turkish football league system. It is one of the top leagues in the UEFA confederation and the winner of the competition automatically qualifies for the UEFA Champions League...
club Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirligi
Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara, which is the capital of Turkey. Formed in 1923, Gençlerbirliği are nicknamed Ankara Rüzgârı . The club colours are black and red. They play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.Domestically,...
for the next season. He made his debut in the Turkcell Super League on August 24, 2008 in a 1-1 draw with Kocaelispor
Kocaelispor
Kocaelispor, is the football team of İzmit, Turkey. They were founded in 1966 and played in the Turkish football league between 1980–1988 and 1992–2003. The best result for them was the 4th position in 1992–93 season...
. Djite scored his first league goal for Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirligi
Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara, which is the capital of Turkey. Formed in 1923, Gençlerbirliği are nicknamed Ankara Rüzgârı . The club colours are black and red. They play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.Domestically,...
in the 45th minute against Denizlispor
Denizlispor
Denizlispor is a sports club based in Denizli, Turkey. It is known by its distinct green and black colors. The club's branches include football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, and gymnastics...
on October 25, 2008. Fellow Australian James Troisi
James Troisi
James Troisi is an Australian football midfielder. He is currently playing for Turkish club Kayserispor.-Club career:...
also got off the mark in a game which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Djite finished the 2008-2009 Turkcell Super League
Turkcell Super League
The Süper Lig is a Turkish professional league for association football clubs. It is the top-flight of the Turkish football league system. It is one of the top leagues in the UEFA confederation and the winner of the competition automatically qualifies for the UEFA Champions League...
season with 6 goals. In the off-season, Djite revealed in an interview with FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo is a football magazine published by Haymarket. Published monthly, costing £4.50, and at about 164 pages long, it published its 200th edition in February 2011...
reporter Ben Somerford, Croatian club Hajduk Split were interested in his services but he rejected the move.
On 28 August 2010, it was announced that Djite would return home to Australia to play in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
with Gold Coast United, replacing New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz
Shane Smeltz
Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:...
who had joined Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirligi
Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara, which is the capital of Turkey. Formed in 1923, Gençlerbirliği are nicknamed Ankara Rüzgârı . The club colours are black and red. They play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.Domestically,...
.
On 23 March 2011, it was announced that Djite had signed a contract with the club that gave him his first Hyundai A-League contract, Adelaide United.
In March 2011, due to the long Hyundai A-League off season Adelaide United agreed for Djite to be loaned to Chinese Super League
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
club Jiangsu Sainty
Jiangsu Sainty
Jiangsu Sainty F.C. is a Chinese professional football club based in Nanjing, China that currently participates in the Chinese Super League. Home matches are played at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center...
.
International career
Djite chose to play for Australia although he would also have been eligible for the U.S.United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
and Togo
Togo national football team
The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
.
He was a star striker for the Young Socceroos
Australia national under-20 football team
The Australia national under-20 association football team, more commonly known as the Young Socceroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 20 or youth football competitions....
during their 2006 tour of South America and was also chosen in the Australian Under-20 squad to compete at the 2006 AFC Youth Championship
AFC Youth Championship
The AFC U-19 Championship, formerly known as AFC Youth Championship, is an annual football competition organised by the sport's Asian governing body, Asian Football Confederation . The competition has been held since 1959...
s, in India.
Three days before his 21st birthday, on the 22nd of March, 2008, Djite received his first international cap for the Australian national team, the Socceroos, against Singapore
Singapore national football team
The Singapore national football team is the national association football team of Singapore. The team comes under the organization of the Football Association of Singapore...
, courtesy of national coach Pim Verbeek. He was substituted on at half-time and his best chance came when he rounded the Singapore keeper but failed to put it past him, the ball going out for a corner. His first cap in a competitive match was when he came on as a substitute for Harry Kewell
Harry Kewell
Harold "Harry" Kewell is an Australian professional football midfielder who plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Internationally he has received 55 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team...
in Australia's World Cup Qualifier against Iraq on June 1, 2008. He then again appeared in the Socceroos next match on June 15, 2008 against Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
, coming on as a late substitute.
Career stats
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | |||
| Adelaide United | 06-07 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 3 | |
| 07-08 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 22 | 10 | ||
| Total | 20 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 35 | 13 | ||
| Genclerbirligi Gençlerbirligi Gençlerbirliği Spor Kulübü is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Ankara, which is the capital of Turkey. Formed in 1923, Gençlerbirliği are nicknamed Ankara Rüzgârı . The club colours are black and red. They play their home matches at Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.Domestically,... |
08-09 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 28 | 6 | |
| 09-10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 0 | ||
| Diyarbakirspor Diyarbakirspor Diyarbakırspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Diyarbakır. Formed in 1968, Diyarbakırspor are nicknamed Diyar... |
09-10 | 9 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 42 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 6 | ||
| Gold Coast United | 10-11 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 10 | |
| Jiangsu Sainty Jiangsu Sainty Jiangsu Sainty F.C. is a Chinese professional football club based in Nanjing, China that currently participates in the Chinese Super League. Home matches are played at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center... |
2011 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | |
| Career Totals | 96 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 114 | 33 | ||
Honours
Personal Honours:- A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
Young Player of the Year: 2007-2008A-League 2007-08The A-League 2007-08 season was the third season of the Australian A-League football competition, won by the Newcastle Jets. Football Federation Australia hoped to build on the success of the previous two seasons and on the interest generated by and playing in the 2007 AFC Champions League, and...