Christian Bassila
Encyclopedia
Christian Bassila is a former France under-21
international footballer.
He prefers to play in the defensive midfield position and started his career with the present French Ligue 1
Champions Lyon
in the 1996–97 season. Bassila joined West Ham
in August 2000 on a season-long loan deal, moving from French outfit Rennes
. After an indifferent 2000–01 season on loan with West Ham United where he rarely featured, he moved on to French league outfit Strasbourg
where he enjoyed regular first team football till the 2004–05 season.
Bassila was signed on a two year contract by the premiership side Sunderland
on the last week of the 2005 transfer window. By the start of the 2006 season however Basilla activated a free transfer clause in his contract which allowed him to move to another club of his choice, without a transfer fee being paid to Sunderland. His move to Greek side Larisa
(now named AEL 1964) came after a season of frequent injury in which Sunderland were relegated from the Premiership. In Larisa
he played a dynamic defensive role in the midfield area being one of the best team players.
In 2006 he was called up to represent the national team of the Republic of the Congo by coach Noel Tosi
. Since Bassila had represented France at under-21 level, however, FIFA ruled against this as he should have applied for the change in his national status before 31 December 2005.
In 2009 he captained French second division side En Avant de Guingamp to victory in the French Cup, when they beat Rennes 2–1 in the first ever all Breton final.
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...
international footballer.
He prefers to play in the defensive midfield position and started his career with the present French 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....
Champions 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...
in the 1996–97 season. Bassila joined West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in August 2000 on a season-long loan deal, moving from French outfit Rennes
Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...
. After an indifferent 2000–01 season on loan with West Ham United where he rarely featured, he moved on to French league outfit Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
where he enjoyed regular first team football till the 2004–05 season.
Bassila was signed on a two year contract by the premiership side 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...
on the last week of the 2005 transfer window. By the start of the 2006 season however Basilla activated a free transfer clause in his contract which allowed him to move to another club of his choice, without a transfer fee being paid to Sunderland. His move to Greek side Larisa
AEL 1964
AEL 1964 F.C., fully the Athletic Union of Larissa 1964 , is a Greek association football club based in the city of Larissa, capital of Greece's Thessaly region. The club is also known, unofficially, as Larissa. It is the only FC outside the two big Greek cities, Athens and Thessaloniki, to have...
(now named AEL 1964) came after a season of frequent injury in which Sunderland were relegated from the Premiership. In Larisa
AEL 1964
AEL 1964 F.C., fully the Athletic Union of Larissa 1964 , is a Greek association football club based in the city of Larissa, capital of Greece's Thessaly region. The club is also known, unofficially, as Larissa. It is the only FC outside the two big Greek cities, Athens and Thessaloniki, to have...
he played a dynamic defensive role in the midfield area being one of the best team players.
In 2006 he was called up to represent the national team of the Republic of the Congo by coach Noel Tosi
Noël Tosi
Noël Tosi is a French football coach and former player.As a player he played for minor clubs in France. His first job as a coach was Deauville in 1986.Tosi previously coached the Congo national football team...
. Since Bassila had represented France at under-21 level, however, FIFA ruled against this as he should have applied for the change in his national status before 31 December 2005.
In 2009 he captained French second division side En Avant de Guingamp to victory in the French Cup, when they beat Rennes 2–1 in the first ever all Breton final.
External links
- Christian Bassila career stats at Yahoo! Sport