Charles Itandje
Encyclopedia
Charles-Hubert Itandje is a footballer who plays for Atromitos as a goalkeeper.
, Paris
of Cameroon
ian descent, Itandje began his professional career at French club RC Lens
in 2001, for whom he made 170 league appearances and 21 appearances in European games. Lens were prepared to allow Itandje to leave for Liverpool
after they signed two goalkeepers in the summer of 2007, saying: "The directors of Lens have concluded the definitive sale of Charles Itandje to Liverpool Football Club. The Lens goalkeeper leaves Lens after six years of good and loyal service. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his future career."
to join Aston Villa
on a season-long loan to play regularly. Itandje said of his move: "At Liverpool there is a very good keeper who has been there three years. I am clearly going to be number 2. But, there are 60 matches a season and it is planned that I will play the League Cup and FA Cup." He made his first team debut for Liverpool
in a League Cup
match against Reading
on September 25, which Liverpool won 4–2, and in total, made three League Cup appearances and four FA Cup
appearances for Liverpool in the 2007–08 season
. He was made available for transfer in the summer of 2008 after Liverpool signed Diego Cavalieri
but turned down a move to Galatasaray
. He made no further appearances for Liverpool and by January 2009 was seeking to leave the club.
in April 2009, complaints were made by members of the congregation that Itandje had been laughing and behaving inappropriately during the service. His actions were condemned by the Liverpool hierarchy, who stated that they would be seeking to impose the maximum punishment possible. Itandje apologised to the grieving families and to Liverpool fans for his behaviour and was suspended by the club for 14 days. He never played another game, at reserve or first team level, for the club as a result of this incident.
and Martin Hansen.
He started the Greek Cup final for Atromitos who lost 3-0 to AEK
at the OAKA stadium in Athens.
after a fine season at RC Lens. He was selected for the équipe de France espoirs
(under-21 team), and became known for his dance to destabilize opponents during the penalty shootout.
In October 2010 he was cleared by FIFA to represent Cameroon after expressing his desire to play for the Cameroon national team.
Cameroon team for friendly at 17 November 2010.
RC Lens
Born in BobignyBobigny
Bobigny is a commune, or town, in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Bobigny is the préfecture of the Seine-Saint-Denis département, as well as the seat of the Arrondissement of Bobigny...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
of Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian descent, Itandje began his professional career at French club RC Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
in 2001, for whom he made 170 league appearances and 21 appearances in European games. Lens were prepared to allow Itandje to leave for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
after they signed two goalkeepers in the summer of 2007, saying: "The directors of Lens have concluded the definitive sale of Charles Itandje to Liverpool Football Club. The Lens goalkeeper leaves Lens after six years of good and loyal service. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his future career."
Liverpool
Itandje signed for Liverpool in August 2007, as cover for Pepe Reina thus allowing Scott CarsonScott Carson
Scott Paul Carson is an English footballer who plays for Bursaspor as a goalkeeper.He joined the Leeds United football academy in 2002, making his full first team debut for Leeds against Manchester United in February 2004...
to join Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on a season-long loan to play regularly. Itandje said of his move: "At Liverpool there is a very good keeper who has been there three years. I am clearly going to be number 2. But, there are 60 matches a season and it is planned that I will play the League Cup and FA Cup." He made his first team debut for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on September 25, which Liverpool won 4–2, and in total, made three League Cup appearances and four FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
appearances for Liverpool in the 2007–08 season
Premier League 2007–08
The 2007–08 Premier League season was the sixteenth since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 11 August 2007, and the season ended on 11 May 2008...
. He was made available for transfer in the summer of 2008 after Liverpool signed Diego Cavalieri
Diego Cavalieri
Diego Cavalieri is a Brazilian goalkeeper, currently playing for Fluminense. He is of Italian ancestry and holds both an Italian and Brazilian passport.-Palmeiras:...
but turned down a move to Galatasaray
Galatasaray S.K. (football team)
Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
. He made no further appearances for Liverpool and by January 2009 was seeking to leave the club.
Hillsborough Memorial Incident
After the memorial service for the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough disasterHillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
in April 2009, complaints were made by members of the congregation that Itandje had been laughing and behaving inappropriately during the service. His actions were condemned by the Liverpool hierarchy, who stated that they would be seeking to impose the maximum punishment possible. Itandje apologised to the grieving families and to Liverpool fans for his behaviour and was suspended by the club for 14 days. He never played another game, at reserve or first team level, for the club as a result of this incident.
Kavala
On 29 August 2009, Itandje moved on loan at Kavala for the whole of the season.Return to Liverpool (2010)
On 30 June 2010, Itandje returned to Liverpool. His contract with Liverpool was due to expire in January 2011 and he was at least fifth in the goalkeeping order, behind Pepe Reina, Brad Jones, Peter GulacsiPéter Gulácsi
Péter Gulácsi is a Hungarian footballer who plays for Hull City as a goalkeeper, on loan from Liverpool. He was signed by Liverpool on the summer transfer deadline 2008, from MTK, after he had spent the 2007–08 season on loan with the club....
and Martin Hansen.
Atromitos
On 8 December 2010, it was announced that Itandje would be leaving Liverpool, being released from his contract. He joined Greek club Atromitos on a free transfer on 1 January 2011. In total for Liverpool, Itandje played 7 times.He started the Greek Cup final for Atromitos who lost 3-0 to AEK
AEK
AEK may refer to:*Apple Extended Keyboard, a computer keyboard*Athletic Union of Constantinople, also known as AEK Athens, a sports club based in Athens, Greece*AEK Athens F.C., an association football club based in Athens, Greece...
at the OAKA stadium in Athens.
International career
Itandje has represented France at under-21 level. In 2006, he was called up for pre-selection for the French squadFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
after a fine season at RC Lens. He was selected for the équipe de France espoirs
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
(under-21 team), and became known for his dance to destabilize opponents during the penalty shootout.
In October 2010 he was cleared by FIFA to represent Cameroon after expressing his desire to play for the Cameroon national team.
Cameroon team for friendly at 17 November 2010.
External links
- Charles Itandje profile at the Liverpool website
- http://foreign.peacefmonline.com/sports/201011/102197.php
- http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2010/11/17/2218367/fifa-authorise-liverpool-goalkeeper-charles-itandjes-switch