Claude Gnakpa
Encyclopedia
Claude Gnakpa Johouri is a French footballer of Ivorian
descent who plays for Walsall
. He usually plays as a winger, but began his career primarily as a central defender and right-back.
Beginning his career as a trainee at Montpellier HSC
, Gnakpa then played for French
lower league sides before moving to Spain
in 2003 to play in the reserve teams of La Liga
sides Racing de Santander
and Deportivo Alavés
. In 2006, he moved to Switzerland
for a short time to play for top-tier club FC Vaduz
. He moved to England
in 2007 to play for Swindon Town
, though never made an appearance. He subsequently signed for Peterborough United
, where he was used as a defender, then for Luton Town on a free transfer in 2008. At Luton, Gnakpa received notability for scoring the winning goal in the club's 2009 Football League Trophy Final
victory, securing Luton's first success in the competition. Since the 2009–10 season, Gnakpa has been utilised almost solely in a wide position, using his combination of pace, power and crossing to contribute numerous goals and assists. Gnakpa was named in the Conference National
team of the season for 2009–10. Gnakpa left Luton at the end of his contract in July 2011, signing for League One
side Walsall.
, then appeared for local sides Marignane
and Beaucaire
, before moving abroad to play for Racing de Santander B
, Deportivo Alavés B
and FC Vaduz
. In March 2007, Gnakpa was signed on transfer deadline day by Swindon Town boss Paul Sturrock
on a short-term contract.
Gnakpa failed to play for Swindon's first team, appearing only as an unused substitute in one match, before he was released at the end of the season.
In July 2007, Peterborough United
manager Darren Ferguson
took Gnakpa on trial. He was eventually signed by the club. The "Flying Frenchman" was quickly made a regular at London Road
and with his notoriously strong tackle and terrifying pace he cemented his place in the team.
In May 2008, it was reported that Gnakpa had rejected Peterborough's offer of an improved contract following the side's promotion to League One
, and would instead search for another club. Reportedly, Gnakpa harboured interested from Championship
side Sheffield Wednesday, League Two
outfit Luton Town
, and Scottish Premier League
side Aberdeen
.
However, after impressing Luton manager Mick Harford
during a trial period at Kenilworth Road
, he joined the Hatters prior to the start of the 2008–09 campaign, with the club starting League Two on an unprecedented −30 points. Gnakpa scored his first goal for the Hatters in a 2–1 home defeat to Darlington
on 11 October 2008. He scored the only goal of the game in Luton's Football League Trophy
area semi-final victory over Colchester United
on 16 December 2008.
On 5 April 2009, Gnakpa scored an extra-time winner as Luton defeated Scunthorpe United
3–2 to win the Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium
. In that game he was used as a winger, a position where he then played regularly during the 2009–10 season under Harford's successor, Richard Money.
On 20 March 2010, Gnakpa scored a hat-trick
in a 6–1 win over Ebbsfleet United, then continued his scoring streak with three goals in the next two games. His good form saw him awarded the Conference National
Player of the Month award for March. In June 2010, Gnakpa was named in the Conference National team of the season.
Gnakpa continued his form into the next season
, scoring 15 goals as Luton finished third in table, securing a play-off place.
On 1 July 2011 Gnakpa's contract with Luton ended, and he subsequently signed a one-year deal with League One
side Walsall
.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
descent who plays for Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. He usually plays as a winger, but began his career primarily as a central defender and right-back.
Beginning his career as a trainee at Montpellier HSC
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
, Gnakpa then played for French
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...
lower league sides before moving to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 2003 to play in the reserve teams of La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
sides Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
and Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
. In 2006, he moved to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for a short time to play for top-tier club FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
. He moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 2007 to play for Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, though never made an appearance. He subsequently signed for Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, where he was used as a defender, then for Luton Town on a free transfer in 2008. At Luton, Gnakpa received notability for scoring the winning goal in the club's 2009 Football League Trophy Final
2009 Football League Trophy Final
The 2009 Football League Trophy Final was the 26th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football Leagues One and Two, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at Wembley Stadium in London on 5 April 2009, the second time that the final had been staged at the stadium...
victory, securing Luton's first success in the competition. Since the 2009–10 season, Gnakpa has been utilised almost solely in a wide position, using his combination of pace, power and crossing to contribute numerous goals and assists. Gnakpa was named in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
team of the season for 2009–10. Gnakpa left Luton at the end of his contract in July 2011, signing for League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Walsall.
Career
Gnakpa began as a youth player for Montpellier HSCMontpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
, then appeared for local sides Marignane
US Marignane
Union Sportive Marignanaise is a French football club based in Marignane, Bouches-du-Rhône. It was founded in 1924. The club currently plays in the Championnat de France Amateurs, the fourth tier of the French league system.- Current squad :...
and Beaucaire
Stade Beaucairois
Stade Beaucairois is a French football club based in Beaucaire, Languedoc-Roussillon. It was founded in 1908 as Beaucaire Olympique. The club currently plays in the Ligue du Languedoc-Roussillon.-External links:*...
, before moving abroad to play for Racing de Santander B
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, Deportivo Alavés B
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
and FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
. In March 2007, Gnakpa was signed on transfer deadline day by Swindon Town boss Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
on a short-term contract.
Gnakpa failed to play for Swindon's first team, appearing only as an unused substitute in one match, before he was released at the end of the season.
In July 2007, Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
manager Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson is a Scottish football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as the manager of Peterborough United...
took Gnakpa on trial. He was eventually signed by the club. The "Flying Frenchman" was quickly made a regular at London Road
London Road (stadium)
London Road is a multi-purpose stadium in Peterborough, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Peterborough United...
and with his notoriously strong tackle and terrifying pace he cemented his place in the team.
In May 2008, it was reported that Gnakpa had rejected Peterborough's offer of an improved contract following the side's promotion to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, and would instead search for another club. Reportedly, Gnakpa harboured interested from Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Sheffield Wednesday, League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
outfit Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
, and Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
.
However, after impressing Luton manager Mick Harford
Mick Harford
Michael Gordon "Mick" Harford , is an English former football player turned manager. He is former manager of Rotherham and Luton Town and has also been caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest and QPR...
during a trial period at Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road Stadium is a football stadium in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. It has been home to Luton Town Football Club since 1905, when financial complications forced the club to leave its previous location at Dunstable Road...
, he joined the Hatters prior to the start of the 2008–09 campaign, with the club starting League Two on an unprecedented −30 points. Gnakpa scored his first goal for the Hatters in a 2–1 home defeat to Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on 11 October 2008. He scored the only goal of the game in Luton's Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
area semi-final victory over Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 16 December 2008.
On 5 April 2009, Gnakpa scored an extra-time winner as Luton defeated Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
3–2 to win the Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. In that game he was used as a winger, a position where he then played regularly during the 2009–10 season under Harford's successor, Richard Money.
On 20 March 2010, Gnakpa scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a 6–1 win over Ebbsfleet United, then continued his scoring streak with three goals in the next two games. His good form saw him awarded the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
Player of the Month award for March. In June 2010, Gnakpa was named in the Conference National team of the season.
Gnakpa continued his form into the next season
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
, scoring 15 goals as Luton finished third in table, securing a play-off place.
On 1 July 2011 Gnakpa's contract with Luton ended, and he subsequently signed a one-year deal with League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
.
Honours
Luton Town- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
External links
- Profile at official Luton Town F.C. website