Michaël Ciani
Encyclopedia
Michaël Ciani often referred to as Mickaël Ciani, is a French footballer
of Guadeloupe
an descent who currently plays for Ligue 1
club Bordeaux
. Ciani plays as a central defender
and has starred for several French clubs before finally settling in with Lorient
in 2006, where he became nationally recognized. His play at Lorient resulted in a move to 2008–09 champions Bordeaux. Ciani was formerly a France youth international
having earned caps with the under-21 team
. He currently plays for the senior team
having received his first cap on 3 March 2010 in a friendly match against Spain
.
playing with amateur club ES Colombienne. After a four-year stint, he moved to nearby club Racing Club de France
where he made only one league appearance during the 2001–02 season while Racing were playing in the Championnat National. In 2003, Ciani migrated to Belgium
joining first division club R. Charleroi S.C.
in the French-speaking
city of Charleroi
. During his only season at the club, Ciani appeared in 18 league matches scoring one goal. Following the Belgian season, he returned to France joining Auxerre
. Ciani spent his first season with Auxerre playing in the reserves. For the 2005–06 season, the Auxerre hierarchy agreed to loan Ciani to second division
club CS Sedan Ardennes
. Upon his arrival at Sedan, Ciani was inserted as a starter and performed exceptionally well appearing in 37 league matches scoring three goals against Grenoble
, Châteauroux
, and Istres
. The team's overall performance led to Sedan finishing second earning promotion to Ligue 1
for the 2006–07 season.
contenders, the club, for the second straight season, loaned Ciani out, this time to newly-promoted Lorient
. In his inaugural season with the club, Ciani made 33 league appearances scoring his lone goal in a 3–1 defeat to Lyon
. The team's stable performances led to the club finishing in 14th position, thus staying up in the league. Following the season, Lorient decided to sign Ciani on a permanent deal. The next two seasons over, Ciani established himself as a premier Ligue 1 player making 55 league appearances scoring four goals with all of them coming during the 2008–09 season. His performances during the season led to increase speculation that Ciani would sign with another club with the player preferring a move to the Premier League over Ligue 1 contenders Bordeaux
and Paris Saint-Germain.
-based club paying Lorient €4 million for his services. The defender was recruited by Laurent Blanc
as a replacement for the departed Souleymane Diawara
who joined Marseille
. Ciani made his league debut on 23 August 2009 in the club's 4–0 victory over Nice
. He was beneficial during the team's 2009–10 UEFA Champions League campaign scoring group stage goals against Israel
i club Maccabi Haifa
and German giants Bayern Munich
. On 23 February 2010, Ciani scored a vital away goal against Greek
team Olympiakos in Bordeaux's Round of 16 first leg match. Bordeaux later won the tie 3–1 on aggregate. A month later, he scored the equalizing goal in Bordeaux's 3–1 comeback victory over league rivals Lille
.
in a friendly match. Two months later, he featured with the team at the 2004 Toulon Tournament appearing in four matches as France were crowned champions of the competition for the eighth time. On 25 February 2009, after five years of not playing international football, Ciani was called up to the senior team
by coach Raymond Domenech
for the squad's friendly match with Spain
on 3 March. Ciani earned his first cap in the match starting in the centre back position alongside veteran Julien Escudé
. France lost the match 2–0.
Football in France
Football is the most popular sport in France. The Fédération Française de Football is the national governing bodyand is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the game of association football in the country, both professional and amateur...
of Guadeloupe
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...
an descent who currently plays for Ligue 1
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....
club Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
. Ciani plays as a central defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and has starred for several French clubs before finally settling in with Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
in 2006, where he became nationally recognized. His play at Lorient resulted in a move to 2008–09 champions Bordeaux. Ciani was formerly a France youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having earned caps with the under-21 team
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...
. He currently plays for the senior 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...
having received his first cap on 3 March 2010 in a friendly match against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.
Early career
Ciani began his football career in his hometown of ColombesColombes
Colombes is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-History:On 13 March 1896, 17% of the territory of Colombes was detached and became the commune of Bois-Colombes ....
playing with amateur club ES Colombienne. After a four-year stint, he moved to nearby club Racing Club de France
RCF Paris
Racing Club de France – Levallois 92 is a French association football club formerly based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. In 2009, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after the club reached a financial agreement with the commune. Racing was founded in 1882 as a sports club and is one of the...
where he made only one league appearance during the 2001–02 season while Racing were playing in the Championnat National. In 2003, Ciani migrated to 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...
joining first division club R. Charleroi S.C.
R. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
in the French-speaking
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
city of Charleroi
Charleroi
Charleroi is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. , the total population of Charleroi was 201,593. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of and had a total population of 522,522 as of 1 January 2008, ranking it as...
. During his only season at the club, Ciani appeared in 18 league matches scoring one goal. Following the Belgian season, he returned to France joining 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...
. Ciani spent his first season with Auxerre playing in the reserves. For the 2005–06 season, the Auxerre hierarchy agreed to loan Ciani to second division
Ligue 2
Ligue 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...
club CS Sedan Ardennes
CS Sedan Ardennes
Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located...
. Upon his arrival at Sedan, Ciani was inserted as a starter and performed exceptionally well appearing in 37 league matches scoring three goals against Grenoble
Grenoble Foot 38
Grenoble Foot 38, commonly referred to as simply Grenoble, is a French association football club based in Grenoble, a city situated at the foot of the French Alps. The original incarnation of the club was founded in 1892 and, in 1997, was formed into the club that exists today as a result of a merger...
, Châteauroux
LB Châteauroux
La Berrichonne de Châteauroux is a French association football club based in Châteauroux. The football team is a part of a sports club that consists of several other sports and was founded in 1883. The team currently plays in Ligue 2, the second division of French football, having finished 16th in...
, and Istres
FC Istres
Football Club Istres Ouest Provence is a French association football club based in Istres. The club was formed in 1920 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2008–09 season. Istres plays its home matches at the...
. The team's overall performance led to Sedan finishing second earning promotion to Ligue 1
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....
for the 2006–07 season.
Lorient
Despite helping Sedan to promotion, the club decided not to sign him permanently. With Auxerre establishing themselves as EuropeanUEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
contenders, the club, for the second straight season, loaned Ciani out, this time to newly-promoted Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
. In his inaugural season with the club, Ciani made 33 league appearances scoring his lone goal in a 3–1 defeat to Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
. The team's stable performances led to the club finishing in 14th position, thus staying up in the league. Following the season, Lorient decided to sign Ciani on a permanent deal. The next two seasons over, Ciani established himself as a premier Ligue 1 player making 55 league appearances scoring four goals with all of them coming during the 2008–09 season. His performances during the season led to increase speculation that Ciani would sign with another club with the player preferring a move to the Premier League over Ligue 1 contenders Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
and Paris Saint-Germain.
Bordeaux
On 28 July 2009, Ciani and Bordeaux reached an agreement on a four-year contract with the AquitaineAquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
-based club paying Lorient €4 million for his services. The defender was recruited by Laurent Blanc
Laurent Blanc
Laurent Robert Blanc is a French association football manager and former player. He is the head coach of the French national team, having replaced Raymond Domenech in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He was previously the manager of Bordeaux...
as a replacement for the departed Souleymane Diawara
Souleymane Diawara
Souleymane Diawara is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a central defender for Olympique Marseille and the Senegal national team.-Career:...
who joined 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...
. Ciani made his league debut on 23 August 2009 in the club's 4–0 victory over Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
. He was beneficial during the team's 2009–10 UEFA Champions League campaign scoring group stage goals against Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i club Maccabi Haifa
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
and German giants Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
. On 23 February 2010, Ciani scored a vital away goal against Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
team Olympiakos in Bordeaux's Round of 16 first leg match. Bordeaux later won the tie 3–1 on aggregate. A month later, he scored the equalizing goal in Bordeaux's 3–1 comeback victory over league rivals Lille
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...
.
International career
Ciani made his under-21 debut on 30 March 2004 in a 1–1 draw with the NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in a friendly match. Two months later, he featured with the team at the 2004 Toulon Tournament appearing in four matches as France were crowned champions of the competition for the eighth time. On 25 February 2009, after five years of not playing international football, Ciani was called up to the senior 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...
by coach Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
for the squad's friendly match with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 3 March. Ciani earned his first cap in the match starting in the centre back position alongside veteran Julien Escudé
Julien Escudé
Julien Escudé is a French footballer who plays for Sevilla FC in Spain, as a central defender.-France / Ajax:Escudé began his professional career at AS Cannes, playing one season in the second division...
. France lost the match 2–0.
Career statistics
(Correct as of 11 March)| Club | Season | League | CupIncludes Coupe de France Coupe de France The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation... , Coupe de la Ligue Coupe de la Ligue The Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel... , Belgian Cup Belgian Cup The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège... , Trophée des Champions Trophée des champions The Trophée des champions , is a French association football trophy contested in an annual match between the champions of Ligue 1 and the winners of the Coupe de France. It is equivalent to the Super Cups found in many countries... , Belgian Supercup Belgian Supercup The Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... Includes UEFA Supercup |
Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Racing Paris RCF Paris Racing Club de France – Levallois 92 is a French association football club formerly based in Colombes, a suburb of Paris. In 2009, the club moved to nearby Levallois-Perret after the club reached a financial agreement with the commune. Racing was founded in 1882 as a sports club and is one of the... |
2001–02 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002–03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Charleroi R. Charleroi S.C. Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season... |
2003–04 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 | |
| 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... |
2004–05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Sedan CS Sedan Ardennes Club Sportif Sedan Ardennes, commonly referred to as CS Sedan or simply Sedan , is a French association football club based in Sedan. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Sedan plays its home matches at the Stade Louis Dugauguez located... |
2005–06 Ligue 2 season 2005-06 The Ligue 2 season 2005/2006, organised by the LFP was won by Valenciennes FC and saw the promotions of Valenciennes FC, CS Sedan Ardennes and FC Lorient, whereas AC Ajaccio, RC Strasbourg and FC Metz were relegated from Ligue 1.-20 participating teams:... |
37 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | 0 | |
| Lorient FC Lorient Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian... |
2006–07 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 98 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 5 | 0 | |
| Bordeaux FC Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season.... |
2009–10 2009–10 Ligue 1 The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated... |
30 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
19 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 49 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 67 | 7 | 0 | |
| Career total | 203 | 13 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 230 | 16 | 0 | |
International
- (Correct as of 11 March)
National team Season Apps Goals Assists France France national football teamThe 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...2009–10 1 0 0 Total 1 0 0