Simon Mignolet
Encyclopedia
Simon Mignolet is a Belgian
football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Sunderland
in the Barclays Premier League, and the Belgian national team.
on 17 June 2010. The deal was undisclosed but was widely reported to have cost Sunderland £2m. It was later confirmed that Sunderland had pipped PSV Eindhoven, FC Twente
and Udinese
to Mignolet's signature.
Mignolet made his Sunderland debut against Birmingham City
on 15 August 2010, where the game finished in a 2–2 draw. He picked up the Man of the Match award for his performance. In the next home game, a 1–0 victory against Manchester City
, Mignolet kept his first clean sheet for Sunderland, following an excellent reaction save to deny Yaya Toure
a goal. Mignolet put in another fine performance against Arsenal
, as Sunderland drew 1–1 after Darren Bent equalised in the 95th minute. He made further appearances against West Ham United in the Carling Cup, Liverpool
, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa
, keeping four clean sheets. After Sunderland were beaten 5–1 by local rivals Newcastle United, there was speculation as to whether Mignolet would retain his place from goalkeeper Craig Gordon
. Sunderland beat Stoke 2–0 to bounce back from the defeat. However, Gordon replaced Mignolet in goal in the following Tuesday's 1–1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
at White Hart Lane
, and remained first choice after. Mignolet did not feature again until January 8, 2011, when Sunderland suffered a loss at home to Notts County
in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup
. Mignolet was recalled to the Sunderland first team after a knee injury to Gordon in February, and he came into the team for the trip to Goodison Park where Sunderland were defeated 2–0 by Everton
. Simon retained his place for the away trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal
, a 0–0 draw in which he made a series of fine saves and won the Man of the Match award. Following the draw, manager Steve Bruce hailed the young keeper's fine start to life in English football. Mignolet's clean sheet on the final day of the season (a 3-0 victory at West Ham) gave him a total of 9 for the season, as Sunderland finished 10th in the league.
Mignolet was preferred to new signing Keiren Westwood in goal in the opening game of the 2011-12 season, as Sunderland drew 1-1 away to Liverpool. His first clean sheet of the season came in the 4-0 win against Stoke. On 29 October, Mignolet was injured during Sunderland's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and had to be substituted. He had suffered a broken nose, and had scans
to check his jaw, cheekbones and teeth.
national side on eight occasions.
On 1 September 2010 he won his first call up to the Belgium national football team after a string of fine performances for Sunderland. On 25 March 2011 he kept a clean sheet in his first start for his national side, helping them earn a 2–0 victory against Austria for a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
match.
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...
football goalkeeper, who currently plays for 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...
in the Barclays Premier League, and the Belgian national team.
Sint-Truiden
Simon appeared 104 times in five years for his home town club Sint-Truiden, aiding them superbly on their road to success both in the Belgian top flight and the second tier, scoring one goal, after the supporters and his teammates insisted on him taking a penalty when leading 3–0. Even though he missed the initial shot, he scored the rebound.Sunderland
After a training ground tour, Mignolet signed a five-year contract at SunderlandSunderland 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...
on 17 June 2010. The deal was undisclosed but was widely reported to have cost Sunderland £2m. It was later confirmed that Sunderland had pipped PSV Eindhoven, FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
and Udinese
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
to Mignolet's signature.
Mignolet made his Sunderland debut against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on 15 August 2010, where the game finished in a 2–2 draw. He picked up the Man of the Match award for his performance. In the next home game, a 1–0 victory against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, Mignolet kept his first clean sheet for Sunderland, following an excellent reaction save to deny Yaya Toure
Yaya Touré
Gnégnéri Yaya Touré , commonly known as Yaya Touré, is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Côte d'Ivoire national side...
a goal. Mignolet put in another fine performance 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...
, as Sunderland drew 1–1 after Darren Bent equalised in the 95th minute. He made further appearances against West Ham United in the Carling Cup, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and 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...
, keeping four clean sheets. After Sunderland were beaten 5–1 by local rivals Newcastle United, there was speculation as to whether Mignolet would retain his place from goalkeeper Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon
Craig Sinclair Gordon is a Scottish footballer, currently playing as a goalkeeper for both Sunderland and the Scotland national team. He was a nominee for STV's Scotland's Greatest Ever Football Team in 2010....
. Sunderland beat Stoke 2–0 to bounce back from the defeat. However, Gordon replaced Mignolet in goal in the following Tuesday's 1–1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
, and remained first choice after. Mignolet did not feature again until January 8, 2011, when Sunderland suffered a loss at home to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in the 3rd Round of 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...
. Mignolet was recalled to the Sunderland first team after a knee injury to Gordon in February, and he came into the team for the trip to Goodison Park where Sunderland were defeated 2–0 by 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...
. Simon retained his place for the away trip to the Emirates Stadium to face 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...
, a 0–0 draw in which he made a series of fine saves and won the Man of the Match award. Following the draw, manager Steve Bruce hailed the young keeper's fine start to life in English football. Mignolet's clean sheet on the final day of the season (a 3-0 victory at West Ham) gave him a total of 9 for the season, as Sunderland finished 10th in the league.
Mignolet was preferred to new signing Keiren Westwood in goal in the opening game of the 2011-12 season, as Sunderland drew 1-1 away to Liverpool. His first clean sheet of the season came in the 4-0 win against Stoke. On 29 October, Mignolet was injured during Sunderland's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and had to be substituted. He had suffered a broken nose, and had scans
to check his jaw, cheekbones and teeth.
International career
Mignolet has so far represented the Belgium under-21Belgium national under-21 football team
The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
national side on eight occasions.
On 1 September 2010 he won his first call up to the Belgium national football team after a string of fine performances for Sunderland. On 25 March 2011 he kept a clean sheet in his first start for his national side, helping them earn a 2–0 victory against Austria for a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
The qualifying competition for UEFA Euro 2012 is a series of parallel association football competitions held over 2010 and 2011 to decide the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2012, to be held in Poland and Ukraine...
match.