Julián Estéban
Encyclopedia
Julián Estebán is a Swiss-Spanish
footballer currently playing for Servette FC
in the Swiss Challenge League.
. He made his first team breakthrough in the 2006–07 season, and scored a remarkable 14 goals in 17 games for the second division
side, in only the first half of the season. A host of top European clubs, including Arsenal FC
, Ajax Amsterdam and NK Dinamo Zagreb were interested in his services.
In October 2006, Estebán signed a four-year contract with Stade Rennais FC
, worth approximately 7 million Swiss Franc
, effective as of January of the following year. He became the fourth Swiss to join the French
outfit, after Christophe Ohrel
and Marco Grassi
and Alexander Frei (whom also played for Servette before Rennes, which also eventually led to some comparisons between the pair, due to their goalscoring prowess).
On 3 March 2007, Estebán played his first league
match for Rennes, against AJ Auxerre
, appearing four minutes in a 0–1 away loss. He appeared very rarely throughout his first two 1/2 seasons combined, less than 10 matches. In summer 2009 turned back to his homeclub Servette FC
on loan from Stade Rennais FC
until 30 June 2010. During this loan spell he appeared 14 times, scoring twice.
On 31 July 2010, Esteban signed for his hometown club Servette FC
on a permanent contract, after Stade Rennais F.C. agreed to terminate his contract. His time at Stade Rennais F.C. was disappointing and he was very injury prone, therefore not being able to take part in many games and unable to prove himself.
.
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
footballer currently playing for Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
in the Swiss Challenge League.
Football career
Estebán was an academy product of hometown club Servette FCServette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
. He made his first team breakthrough in the 2006–07 season, and scored a remarkable 14 goals in 17 games for the second division
Challenge League
The Swiss Challenge League is the second highest tier of the Swiss Football League. Sixteen teams play in the Challenge League. The winners of the league are promoted to the Super League, and the bottom two teams are relegated to the 1. Liga...
side, in only the first half of the season. A host of top European clubs, including Arsenal FC
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, Ajax Amsterdam and NK Dinamo Zagreb were interested in his services.
In October 2006, Estebán signed a four-year contract with Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...
, worth approximately 7 million Swiss Franc
Swiss franc
The franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
, effective as of January of the following year. He became the fourth Swiss to join the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
outfit, after Christophe Ohrel
Christophe Ohrel
Christophe Ohrel is a retired Swiss football midfielder.He was capped 56 times and scored 6 goals for the Swiss national team. He was in the Swiss squad at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, playing all four games....
and Marco Grassi
Marco Grassi
Marco Grassi is a retired Swiss footballer, who played as a centre forward.-Club career:During his career, spent entirely in Switzerland and France, Grassi represented SC Zug, FC Chiasso, FC Zürich, Servette FC, Stade Rennais, AS Monaco, FC Sion, AS Cannes, Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice.As an...
and Alexander Frei (whom also played for Servette before Rennes, which also eventually led to some comparisons between the pair, due to their goalscoring prowess).
On 3 March 2007, Estebán played his first league
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
match for Rennes, against AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre
Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise is a French association football club based in the commune of Auxerre in Burgundy. The club was founded in 1905 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Auxerre plays its home matches at the Stade l'Abbé-Deschamps on the banks of the...
, appearing four minutes in a 0–1 away loss. He appeared very rarely throughout his first two 1/2 seasons combined, less than 10 matches. In summer 2009 turned back to his homeclub Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
on loan from Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...
until 30 June 2010. During this loan spell he appeared 14 times, scoring twice.
On 31 July 2010, Esteban signed for his hometown club Servette FC
Servette FC
Servette FC is a Swiss football club, based in Geneva currently playing in the Swiss Super League. They were playing in the Swiss Challenge League, the second highest tier of Swiss football having been relegated from the Swiss Super League at the end of 2004/05 season...
on a permanent contract, after Stade Rennais F.C. agreed to terminate his contract. His time at Stade Rennais F.C. was disappointing and he was very injury prone, therefore not being able to take part in many games and unable to prove himself.
International career
Estéban was also a Swiss under-21 internationalSwitzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
.