Louis Saha
Encyclopedia
Louis Laurent Saha is a French footballer of Guadelupian
origin who currently plays as a forward for Everton FC in the Premier League and the France national team
. A former scholar at the Clairefontaine
football academy, he started his career at Metz
before playing on loan at Newcastle United
. Before the start of the 2000–01 season, Saha moved to Fulham
where he established himself as first choice striker, helping them to gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season with them.
His performances gained attraction from Manchester United
, who eventually secured his signing for around £12.4 million midway through the 2003–04 season
. Injuries plagued his Old Trafford
career, however he did enjoy success with twice winning the Premier League, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and also scored six times en route to victory in the League Cup
, including one goal in the final.
After four and a half years at United, Everton
took him to Goodison Park
, where he opened the scoring in the 2009 FA Cup Final
after 25 seconds, setting the record for the fastest goal scored in a FA Cup Final
history. Saha made his France debut in 2004 in a 2–0 victory over Belgium. He represented France at the 2004 European Football Championships and also the 2006 FIFA World Cup
which they reached the final
, however Saha was suspended for the final against Italy
after receiving a yellow card against Portugal
in the semi-final.
with the only goal in the fifth round clash against Blackburn Rovers
. Saha was however left out of the cup final squad entirely by manager Ruud Gullit
. At the completion of the 1998–99 season, he returned to Metz where he netted 5 goals in 47 matches in a 2 year spell.
He was transferred to Fulham
for £2.1 million in 2000. During a spell of nearly four years at the club, he scored 63 goals in total. In the promotion campaign of 2000–01 he scored 27 goals to fire Fulham into the Premier League.
During his first month in the top flight Saha was named Premier League Player of the Month
. He scored nine goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, including scoring twice in games against Manchester United
and Chelsea
. His performance at Fulham's victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford was thought to be influential in persuading Alex Ferguson to sign him in 2004. He was less prolific in 2002–03, scoring seven goals. In his final season at Fulham he contributed fifteen goals in only 22 appearances before leaving in the January transfer window.
for a fee of £12.8 million in 2004 having scored 15 goals so far that season and impressing Sir Alex Ferguson
in Fulham's 3–1 win at Old Trafford. Fulham were reluctant to sell Saha but he pushed for a deal and it eventually went through on 23 January 2004.
Saha impressed early, with 7 goals in his 10 starting appearances of the 2003–04 season and scoring on his debut against Southampton
. In the next match, versus Everton
, Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy
each scored two goals in a 4–3 win. On 28 February, he faced his former team for the first time, scoring the only goal for United in a 1–1 draw.
He then got an international call-up for French national team
, scoring on his debut versus Belgium and made the Euro 2004 squad for the tournament in Portugal
. Unfortunately, he was unable to play in the FA Cup
final win over Millwall
, being cup-tied
due to an earlier appearance with Fulham.
The 2004–05 season was a stop-start season marred by constant injury. Saha never really got going making only 11 starting appearances, 11 from the bench and scoring two goals. In September, he picked up a knee injury playing for France against the Faroe Islands
which cost him a month. Then in November he picked up the injury again, also playing for the national side and costing nearly two months out. At the end of February 2005, the problem recurred, again leaving Saha out for a further two months. Over the summer Saha suffered another hamstring strain which ruled him out for the first three months of the 2005–06 season
He finally returned in November 2005 and eased back into side as a sub, making appearances in League Cup
matches. To the surprise of many, the French striker recaptured his initial good form and started banging in the goals. Six goals in the League Cup run saw him usurping Ruud van Nistelrooy as the first choice strike partner for Wayne Rooney
. Saha was named a starter, over van Nistelrooy, in the final against Wigan Athletic
, and scored a goal. Saha scored 15 goals during the 2005–06 season and was chosen by Ferguson to partner alongside Rooney for the next season, after van Nistelrooy's exit for Real Madrid
during the summer transfer window
.
Saha began the 2006–07 season by scoring only seven minutes into the first game versus Fulham. He also scored the winning goal away to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. In December 2006, he signed an extension to his contract lasting to 2010, though soon after began suffering from more injury problems. Groin and hamstring injuries restricted appearances and meant he only scored one goal in the 2nd half of the season. He returned as substitute at Roma
but then soon picked up a knee injury. Saha ended the season with 15 goals in all competitions, aided by his pre-Christmas form.
In the 2007–08 season
, Saha returned from injury and came as a substitute against Sunderland
, scoring the winning goal. On 23 September 2007, Saha won and converted a penalty against Chelsea
in Chelsea's first game with Avram Grant in charge. This earned Saha a recall to the French national team after a year out.
Against Arsenal
, Saha came on to replace the under-performing Carlos Tévez
in a 2–2 draw. He was key in setting up a goal as Cristiano Ronaldo
gave United a 2–1 lead. Saha continued to make appearances off the bench, but when Wayne Rooney was ruled out for a few weeks he partnered Tévez up front. He started on December 26, Boxing Day. Manchester United won the game 4–0 and Saha scored two goals including a penalty to lift Manchester United to 1st position in the Premiership.
Saha made his return in an FA Cup
clash versus Arsenal on 16 February 2008. The following weekend, Saha came on as a substitute for Ronaldo, scoring the final goal in a 5–1 rout of Newcastle United
. After returning to nearly full fitness, Saha's injury haunts returned and forced him off with a hamstring complaint during United's win over Bolton
at Old Trafford. Saha was ruled out for several weeks, missing key games. In the final game of the Premier League season against Wigan Athletic
, Saha was named as a substitute, but played no part in the game. In May 2008, Saha admitted that he believed his United career was in doubt. Despite his desire to stay and love for the club, he was unsure of what the future held for him at Old Trafford.
Despite struggling with injuries in parts of the 2004–05 and latter parts of the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, Saha still contributed 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United in 120 appearances for the club.
, before scoring his first goal, against his former club Fulham, at Goodison Park
on 1 November. Saha came off the bench at half-time in that season's FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough
, scoring the winner and helping Everton reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1995. In the FA Cup final
, Saha scored the fastest goal in the final's history after 25 seconds, though opponents Chelsea
came from behind to win 2–1. This broke Bob Chatt
's record which was set 114 years earlier in the 1895 Final
. It was also the fastest goal in any match at the new Wembley Stadium, beating the previous record by Gianpaolo Pazzini
in March 2007 in an U-21 international for Italy.
Saha scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season, after coming on as a substitute, on the opening day of the season against Arsenal
in a 6–1 defeat at Goodison
. He went on to a run of seven goals in seven games in all competitions, ending the season with 13 Premier League goals. He signed a two-year contract extension with Everton in February 2010, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011–12 season.
Saha scored his eighth goal in five starts against Chelsea on 29 January 2011, and continued his form in the next home game, against Blackpool
on 5 February, when he netted four goals in a 5-3 victory. It was his first hat-trick in English football. Saha scored again for Everton against Fulham
on 19 March 2011 with a low right footed drive from a free kick, he was later stretchered off with an ankle injury and remained sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Saha made his return for the 2011–12 season on 30 July 2011 in a pre-season fixture against the recently relegated Birmingham City at St Andrews. He was substituted into the match in the second half and scored 3 minutes into his return from injury with a low right footed drive from outside the box. Saha made his first start of the season for Everton in a home fixture against Liverpool. Everton lost the game 2-0. Saha scored his first goal of the season in a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage after coming on as a substitute. Saha continued his scoring in the following game on 26 October against Chelsea
in a League Cup
tie.
at various youth levels and scored the winning goal in the 1997 European Under-19 Championships against Portugal.
It was not until 2004 that Saha finally earned his first full cap, marking his debut with a goal in a 2–0 victory over Belgium on February 18. That summer he was also selected for the Euro 2004 squad.
Saha contributed to France reaching the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final
, but he was suspended for the final against Italy
after receiving a yellow card during the semi-final victory over Portugal
.
Louis Saha has been named in the squad picked for the Euro 2012 qualifiers next month (September 2011), which also includes the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Chelsea's Florent Malouda and nine other players who took part in France's 2010 World cup. Prior to this, Louis Saha has not played for his national side since November 2006 (although he was called up by Raymond Domenech in February 2010, he withdrew from the squad due to injury).
|2004||8||2
|-
|2005||0||0
|-
|2006||10||2
|-
|2007||0||0
|-
|2008||0||0
|-
|2009||0||0
|-
|2010||1||0
|-
!Total||19||4
|}
Stats up to date from 6 February
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
origin who currently plays as a forward for Everton FC in the Premier League and the France national team
France 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...
. A former scholar at the Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine
Le Centre Technique National Fernand Sastre , commonly referred to as INF Clairefontaine , INF, or simply Clairefontaine, is the national association football centre that specializes in training French football players...
football academy, he started his career at Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
before playing on loan at Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. Before the start of the 2000–01 season, Saha moved to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
where he established himself as first choice striker, helping them to gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season with them.
His performances gained attraction from Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, who eventually secured his signing for around £12.4 million midway through the 2003–04 season
FA Premier League 2003-04
The 2003–04 FA Premier League season was the twelfth season of the Premier League. In the end, Arsenal went through the season without a single defeat – only the second ever team to do so and were crowned champions once more, at the expense of Chelsea, who had spent heavily throughout the...
. Injuries plagued his Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
career, however he did enjoy success with twice winning the Premier League, the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League and also scored six times en route to victory in the 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...
, including one goal in the final.
After four and a half years at United, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
took him to Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, where he opened the scoring in the 2009 FA Cup Final
2009 FA Cup Final
The 2009 FA Cup Final was the 128th final of the world's oldest domestic football cup competition, the FA Cup. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 30 May 2009 and marked the third time that the final has been staged at the stadium since it was rebuilt...
after 25 seconds, setting the record for the fastest goal scored in a FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
history. Saha made his France debut in 2004 in a 2–0 victory over Belgium. He represented France at the 2004 European Football Championships and also the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
which they reached the final
2006 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time...
, however Saha was suspended for the final against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
after receiving a yellow card against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
in the semi-final.
Metz
Saha began his career with Metz in 1996, and progressed to the senior team in 1998. He went on loan to Newcastle United in January 1999, scoring once against Coventry City and playing in a total of 11 league games, also scoring once in Newcastle's run to the 1999 FA Cup Final1999 FA Cup Final
The 1999 FA Cup Final took place on 22 May 1999 and was played at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Newcastle United. Manchester United had finished as champions and Newcastle 13th in the Premier League that season. The Final was a one-sided affair, Manchester...
with the only goal in the fifth round clash against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. Saha was however left out of the cup final squad entirely by manager Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
. At the completion of the 1998–99 season, he returned to Metz where he netted 5 goals in 47 matches in a 2 year spell.
Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
for £2.1 million in 2000. During a spell of nearly four years at the club, he scored 63 goals in total. In the promotion campaign of 2000–01 he scored 27 goals to fire Fulham into the Premier League.
During his first month in the top flight Saha was named Premier League Player of the Month
Premier League Player of the Month
The Player of the Month is an association football award that recognises the best Premier League player each month of the season. The recipient is chosen by a panel assembled by the League's sponsor, and announced alongside the Manager of the Month on the first or second Friday of the following month...
. He scored nine goals in 44 appearances in all competitions, including scoring twice in games against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. His performance at Fulham's victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford was thought to be influential in persuading Alex Ferguson to sign him in 2004. He was less prolific in 2002–03, scoring seven goals. In his final season at Fulham he contributed fifteen goals in only 22 appearances before leaving in the January transfer window.
Manchester United
Saha was transferred to Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for a fee of £12.8 million in 2004 having scored 15 goals so far that season and impressing Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
in Fulham's 3–1 win at Old Trafford. Fulham were reluctant to sell Saha but he pushed for a deal and it eventually went through on 23 January 2004.
Saha impressed early, with 7 goals in his 10 starting appearances of the 2003–04 season and scoring on his debut against Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. In the next match, versus Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooy, , is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Málaga CF in Spain's La Liga. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals...
each scored two goals in a 4–3 win. On 28 February, he faced his former team for the first time, scoring the only goal for United in a 1–1 draw.
He then got an international call-up for French national team
France 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...
, scoring on his debut versus Belgium and made the Euro 2004 squad for the tournament in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Unfortunately, he was unable to play in the 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...
final win over Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, being cup-tied
Cup-tied
Cup-tied is an adjective, used primarily in association football, to describe a player who is ineligible to play in a knockout cup competition after transferring from another club during that competition.-Application:...
due to an earlier appearance with Fulham.
The 2004–05 season was a stop-start season marred by constant injury. Saha never really got going making only 11 starting appearances, 11 from the bench and scoring two goals. In September, he picked up a knee injury playing for France against the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
which cost him a month. Then in November he picked up the injury again, also playing for the national side and costing nearly two months out. At the end of February 2005, the problem recurred, again leaving Saha out for a further two months. Over the summer Saha suffered another hamstring strain which ruled him out for the first three months of the 2005–06 season
He finally returned in November 2005 and eased back into side as a sub, making appearances in 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...
matches. To the surprise of many, the French striker recaptured his initial good form and started banging in the goals. Six goals in the League Cup run saw him usurping Ruud van Nistelrooy as the first choice strike partner for Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. Saha was named a starter, over van Nistelrooy, in the final against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, and scored a goal. Saha scored 15 goals during the 2005–06 season and was chosen by Ferguson to partner alongside Rooney for the next season, after van Nistelrooy's exit for Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
during the summer transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
.
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
but then soon picked up a knee injury. Saha ended the season with 15 goals in all competitions, aided by his pre-Christmas form.
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...
, Saha returned from injury and came as a substitute against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, scoring the winning goal. On 23 September 2007, Saha won and converted a penalty against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in Chelsea's first game with Avram Grant in charge. This earned Saha a recall to the French national team after a year out.
Against Arsenal
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...
, Saha came on to replace the under-performing Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
in a 2–2 draw. He was key in setting up a goal as Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
gave United a 2–1 lead. Saha continued to make appearances off the bench, but when Wayne Rooney was ruled out for a few weeks he partnered Tévez up front. He started on December 26, Boxing Day. Manchester United won the game 4–0 and Saha scored two goals including a penalty to lift Manchester United to 1st position in the Premiership.
Saha made his return in an 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...
clash versus Arsenal on 16 February 2008. The following weekend, Saha came on as a substitute for Ronaldo, scoring the final goal in a 5–1 rout of Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. After returning to nearly full fitness, Saha's injury haunts returned and forced him off with a hamstring complaint during United's win over Bolton
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
at Old Trafford. Saha was ruled out for several weeks, missing key games. In the final game of the Premier League season against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, Saha was named as a substitute, but played no part in the game. In May 2008, Saha admitted that he believed his United career was in doubt. Despite his desire to stay and love for the club, he was unsure of what the future held for him at Old Trafford.
Despite struggling with injuries in parts of the 2004–05 and latter parts of the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons, Saha still contributed 42 goals in all competitions for Manchester United in 120 appearances for the club.
Everton
Saha joined for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year 'pay-as-you-play' deal. Not match-fit at his time of signing, Saha offered to train without being paid whilst injured. He made his Everton debut on 22 September coming on as a substitute in a league game away to Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, before scoring his first goal, against his former club Fulham, at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
on 1 November. Saha came off the bench at half-time in that season's FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, scoring the winner and helping Everton reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1995. In the FA Cup final
2009 FA Cup Final
The 2009 FA Cup Final was the 128th final of the world's oldest domestic football cup competition, the FA Cup. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 30 May 2009 and marked the third time that the final has been staged at the stadium since it was rebuilt...
, Saha scored the fastest goal in the final's history after 25 seconds, though opponents Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
came from behind to win 2–1. This broke Bob Chatt
Bob Chatt
Robert Chatt was an English footballer who was a member of the Aston Villa team which won the Football League championship three times in the 1890s. Chatt was credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds in the 1895 FA Cup Final...
's record which was set 114 years earlier in the 1895 Final
1895 FA Cup Final
The 1895 FA Cup Final was contested by Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace. Aston Villa won 1–0, with Bob Chatt being credited with scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history, scored after just 30 seconds...
. It was also the fastest goal in any match at the new Wembley Stadium, beating the previous record by Gianpaolo Pazzini
Gianpaolo Pazzini
Giampaolo Pazzini is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for Serie A club Internazionale and the Italian national team. Fans call him Il Pazzo .-Early career:...
in March 2007 in an U-21 international for Italy.
Saha scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season, after coming on as a substitute, on the opening day of the season against Arsenal
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...
in a 6–1 defeat at Goodison
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
. He went on to a run of seven goals in seven games in all competitions, ending the season with 13 Premier League goals. He signed a two-year contract extension with Everton in February 2010, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2011–12 season.
Saha scored his eighth goal in five starts against Chelsea on 29 January 2011, and continued his form in the next home game, against Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 5 February, when he netted four goals in a 5-3 victory. It was his first hat-trick in English football. Saha scored again for Everton against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 19 March 2011 with a low right footed drive from a free kick, he was later stretchered off with an ankle injury and remained sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Saha made his return for the 2011–12 season on 30 July 2011 in a pre-season fixture against the recently relegated Birmingham City at St Andrews. He was substituted into the match in the second half and scored 3 minutes into his return from injury with a low right footed drive from outside the box. Saha made his first start of the season for Everton in a home fixture against Liverpool. Everton lost the game 2-0. Saha scored his first goal of the season in a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage after coming on as a substitute. Saha continued his scoring in the following game on 26 October against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
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...
tie.
International career
Saha represented FranceFrance 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...
at various youth levels and scored the winning goal in the 1997 European Under-19 Championships against Portugal.
It was not until 2004 that Saha finally earned his first full cap, marking his debut with a goal in a 2–0 victory over Belgium on February 18. That summer he was also selected for the Euro 2004 squad.
Saha contributed to France reaching the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final
2006 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 9 July 2006 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin to determine the winner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy beat France on penalties after the match finished 1–1 after extra time...
, but he was suspended for the final against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
after receiving a yellow card during the semi-final victory over Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
.
Louis Saha has been named in the squad picked for the Euro 2012 qualifiers next month (September 2011), which also includes the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Chelsea's Florent Malouda and nine other players who took part in France's 2010 World cup. Prior to this, Louis Saha has not played for his national side since November 2006 (although he was called up by Raymond Domenech in February 2010, he withdrew from the squad due to injury).
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 February 2004 | King Baudouin Stadium King Baudouin Stadium The King Baudouin Stadium is a sports ground in north-west Brussels, Belgium. It was inaugurated on 23 August 1930 as the Stade du Jubilé or Jubelstadion in the presence of Prince Leopold. It was built to embellish the Heysel plateau in view of the Brussels International Exposition... , Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... , Belgium Belgium Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many... |
Friendly match Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|||
| 2 | 28 May 2004 | Stade de la Mosson Stade de la Mosson Stade de la Mosson is a football stadium in Montpellier, France. It is the home of Montpellier HSC and has a capacity of 32,900. Formerly a 16,000-seater stadium, it was entirely rebuilt in 1998 to host 6 games of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. It was also used as a venue for group stage matches in the... , Montpellier Montpellier -Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council.... , France 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... |
Friendly match | |||
| 3 | 2 September 2006 | Boris Paichadze Stadium Boris Paichadze Stadium The Boris Paichadze National Stadium , also known as the Dinamo Stadium, is a football stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. It is the home stadium of FC Dinamo Tbilisi. The stadium was built in 1976 by Georgian architect Gia Kurdiani. Before then Dinamo's stadium was a smaller ground with a maximum... , Tbilisi Tbilisi Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936... , Georgia Georgia (country) Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of... |
UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying | |||
| 4 | 11 October 2006 | Stade Auguste Bonal Stade Auguste Bonal Stade Auguste Bonal is a multi-purpose stadium in Montbéliard, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the home ground of FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. The stadium is able to hold 20,025 people. Initially constructed in 1931, it has undergone multiple renovations, most recently... , Montbéliard Montbéliard Montbéliard is a city in the Doubs department in the Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It is one of the two subprefectures of the department.-History:... , France 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... |
UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
Club
As of 26 November 2011| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Metz FC Metz Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its... |
1997–98 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| 1998–99 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 12 | |
| Total | 47 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 13 | |
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... (loan) |
1998–99 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Total | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
2000–01 | 43 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 32 |
| 2001–02 | 36 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 9 | |
| 2002–03 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
| 2003–04 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 15 | |
| Total | 117 | 53 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 65 | |
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2003–04 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 7 |
| 2004–05 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2005–06 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 15 | |
| 2006–07 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 13 | |
| 2007–08 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 5 | |
| Total | 86 | 28 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 42 | |
| Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
2008–09 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 8 |
| 2009–10 | 33 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 15 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Premier League The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011... |
22 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 10 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Premier League The 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012... |
9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | |
| Total | 88 | 27 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 35 | |
| Career total | 349 | 114 | 34 | 11 | 20 | 15 | 47 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 450 | 157 | |
International
|-|2004||8||2
|-
|2005||0||0
|-
|2006||10||2
|-
|2007||0||0
|-
|2008||0||0
|-
|2009||0||0
|-
|2010||1||0
|-
!Total||19||4
|}
Stats up to date from 6 February
Manchester United
- Premier League (2): 2006–07, 2007–08Premier League 2007–08The 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...
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe 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...
(1): 2005–06 - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 2007–082008 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League...
External links
- Profile at StretfordEnd.co.uk
- Premier League profile