Matthieu Delpierre
Encyclopedia
Matthieu Delpierre is a French footballer. Delpierre plays as a centre back previously for Lille OSC
and is currently the captain of VfB Stuttgart
. He has represented France at the U-18, U-20 and under-21 levels
, making appearances during the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
.
. Delpierre became more of a regular in his second season with the club, helping them in securing third spot and UEFA Champions League
qualification. Delpierre continued to perform for Lille though the club kept finishing at a lower position in the league every season.
Delpierre was signed by VfB Stuttgart
on a free transfer after Lille refused to grant him a contract extension. Having been eclipsed by the team's generally poor displays over the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, Delpierre started developing form under the tutelage of coach Armin Veh
.
The following season, the French defender became a linchpin at the heart of the Stuttgart defence. Having only missed one game through illness, Delpierre formed an almost impenetrable barrier alongside Fernando Meira
at the heart of the Stuttgart defence. Matthieu has also been a vital cog in Stuttgart's success in the 2006–07 DFB-Pokal, conceding only three goals leading up to the finals, which they eventually lost to Nuremberg. On 19 May 2007, Delpierre won the German Bundesliga
with Stuttgart, playing a significant part in their success.
His defensive performances have alerted the attentions of English and German giants respectively, Arsenal
and Bayern Munich and also French clubs Marseille
and Saint-Étienne
.
He has extended his contract with Stuttgart until the summer of 2012.
On 1 December 2009, Delpierre was appointed the new captain of VfB Stuttgart by Markus Babbel
.
Stuttgart
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
and is currently the captain of VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
. He has represented France at the U-18, U-20 and under-21 levels
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...
, making appearances during the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2002 was the 13th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Switzerland between 16 and 28 May 2002.Czech Republic U-21s won the competition for the first time.-Qualification:...
.
Club career
In his first season with Lille, Delpierre made little appearances for the club but helped in the club's promotion to Ligue 1Ligue 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....
. Delpierre became more of a regular in his second season with the club, helping them in securing third spot and UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The 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...
qualification. Delpierre continued to perform for Lille though the club kept finishing at a lower position in the league every season.
Delpierre was signed by VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
on a free transfer after Lille refused to grant him a contract extension. Having been eclipsed by the team's generally poor displays over the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons, Delpierre started developing form under the tutelage of coach Armin Veh
Armin Veh
Armin Veh is a German former footballer and current manager who works for Eintracht Frankfurt. He won the German championship with Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart on 19 May 2007. Veh and his team also had the chance to win "the double" by winning the DFB-Cup on 26 May 2007 in Berlin, but lost 2–3 in...
.
The following season, the French defender became a linchpin at the heart of the Stuttgart defence. Having only missed one game through illness, Delpierre formed an almost impenetrable barrier alongside Fernando Meira
Fernando Meira
Fernando José da Silva Freitas Meira is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza in Spain, as a central defender.In his country, he represented most notably Vitória de Guimarães, also playing one year with Benfica...
at the heart of the Stuttgart defence. Matthieu has also been a vital cog in Stuttgart's success in the 2006–07 DFB-Pokal, conceding only three goals leading up to the finals, which they eventually lost to Nuremberg. On 19 May 2007, Delpierre won the German Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
with Stuttgart, playing a significant part in their success.
His defensive performances have alerted the attentions of English and German giants respectively, 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...
and Bayern Munich and also French clubs Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
and Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
.
He has extended his contract with Stuttgart until the summer of 2012.
On 1 December 2009, Delpierre was appointed the new captain of VfB Stuttgart by Markus Babbel
Markus Babbel
Markus Babbel is a former international German football player, who is currently manager of German Bundesliga club Hertha BSC. He played as a defender for clubs in Germany and England.-Career:...
.
International career
Delpierre took part in the French A-squad pre-selection for the first time in 2007.Career honours
Lille- Ligue 2 First PlaceLigue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
: 1999–2000
Stuttgart
- German championshipFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
: 2006–07
External links
- Matthieu Delpierre at Stuttgart's official website
- Matthieu Delpierre at Eurosport