Damien Le Tallec
Encyclopedia
Damien Le Tallec is a French football player currently playing for German club Borussia Dortmund
in the Fußball-Bundesliga
. Damien is the younger brother of former Liverpool
and current Auxerre
striker Anthony Le Tallec
. He is a France youth international
, first appearing with the under-15 team
and has appeared in several tournaments around the world for his nation. Damien primarily plays as a striker and is capable of playing on both wings
.
, Damien began his career at Le Havre
joining the club at only 5 years of age. He spent a full decade at the club and began drawing interests from several clubs in Ligue 1
. He eventually joined Stade Rennais F.C., who were known for the promising youth academy.
, Yohann Lasimant
, Abdoul Camara
, and Yacine Brahimi
as the club's most promising players. The foursome were particularly instrumental in the club's successes on the youth level helping their age groups win the 2006 edition of the under-16 Tournoi Carisport, as well as capturing the under-18 championship for the 2006–07 season, and also winning the Coupe Gambardella
in 2008 scoring an impressive 8 goals in 7 matches. In the Coupe Gamberdella final against Bordeaux
, he scored the final goal in the team's convincing 3–0 victory. Following the 2006–07 season, on 11 August, Le Tallec, alongside teammates M'Vila and Camara, signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal. He spent the entire season in the reserves, before being officially promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 22 shirt for the 2008–09 season.
Though on the first-team, Le Tallec began the season with the club's Championnat de France amateur team. He appeared in 22 matches scoring 4 goals helping the side finish 1st among professional clubs in their group, thus qualifying for the playoffs, where they lost to Lyon
in the semi-finals.
club Valencia
and was reportedly in the process of joining the club, but due to a shake up in the club's front office, the move was put on hold and eventually called off. He was later linked with moves to German clubs Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart
. Two months later, on 8 August 2009, another German club, Borussia Dortmund
, announced that they had signed the player to a three-year contract and that he will be gradually introduced to the first team.
beginning with the under-15 team
earning his first selection in March 2006. He was a member of the under-17 team that reached the semi-finals at the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
before losing to England
. He scored two goals in the tournament, both of them in the same game against Germany
. He later played with the same under-17 team at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
held in South Korea
. Le Tallec appeared in all 5 matches scoring 4 goals, one against Haiti
, a brace against Tunisia
in the Round of 16, and one against Spain
whom defeated France on penalties in the quarterfinals. In total with the under-17s, Le Tallec scored 14 goals in 18 appearances.
With the under-19 team, Le Tallec appeared in 15 matches scoring 6 goals. He scored three of those goals during the qualification process for the UEFA U-19 Championship
against the Republic of Ireland
, Liechtenstein
, and Romania
. The victory over Romania assured qualification to the tournament
. At the tournament, held in the Ukraine
, Le Tellec appeared in all four matches helping France reach the semi-finals before suffering defeat to England
.
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
in the Fußball-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...
. Damien is the younger brother of former Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and current 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...
striker Anthony Le Tallec
Anthony Le Tallec
Anthony Le Tallec is a French footballer who plays for AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1, as a forward or attacking midfielder.-Liverpool:...
. He is 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...
, first appearing with the under-15 team
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...
and has appeared in several tournaments around the world for his nation. Damien primarily plays as a striker and is capable of playing on both wings
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
.
Early career
Like his older brotherAnthony Le Tallec
Anthony Le Tallec is a French footballer who plays for AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1, as a forward or attacking midfielder.-Liverpool:...
, Damien began his career at Le Havre
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
joining the club at only 5 years of age. He spent a full decade at the club and began drawing interests from several clubs in 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....
. He eventually joined Stade Rennais F.C., who were known for the promising youth academy.
Rennes
Le Tallec quickly established himself at the club joining fellow prospects Yann M'VilaYann M'Vila
Yann M'Vila is a French international footballer who plays for French club Rennes in Ligue 1. He operates as a defensive midfielder and is described by his club as a player who possesses "excellent defensive abilities" and "impressive physical strength"...
, Yohann Lasimant
Yohann Lasimant
Yohann Lasimant is a French footballer. He currently plays for Ligue 2 club Grenoble.-Club career:Yohann began his career at his local club SC Clémenceau in Besançon. In 2002, he moved to the biggest club in the city, Besançon RC. He gained the attention of Rennes scouts during his time here and...
, Abdoul Camara
Abdoul Camara
Abdoul Razzagui Camara is a French footballer who currently plays for French club Sochaux in Ligue 1. He can play as a striker, but is also often utilized as a left-sided winger.-Early career:...
, and Yacine Brahimi
Yacine Brahimi
Yacine Brahimi is a French football player who currently plays for French club Rennes in Ligue 1. He plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger and is described as a "technically gifted player"...
as the club's most promising players. The foursome were particularly instrumental in the club's successes on the youth level helping their age groups win the 2006 edition of the under-16 Tournoi Carisport, as well as capturing the under-18 championship for the 2006–07 season, and also winning the Coupe Gambardella
Coupe Gambardella
The Coupe Gambardella is a French football cup competition held between the under-19s of the French football clubs, organized by the French Football Federation ....
in 2008 scoring an impressive 8 goals in 7 matches. In the Coupe Gamberdella final against 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....
, he scored the final goal in the team's convincing 3–0 victory. Following the 2006–07 season, on 11 August, Le Tallec, alongside teammates M'Vila and Camara, signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal. He spent the entire season in the reserves, before being officially promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 22 shirt for the 2008–09 season.
Though on the first-team, Le Tallec began the season with the club's Championnat de France amateur team. He appeared in 22 matches scoring 4 goals helping the side finish 1st among professional clubs in their group, thus qualifying for the playoffs, where they lost to Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais Reserves and Academy
The Olympique Lyonnais Reserves & Academy are the reserve team and academy of French club Olympique Lyonnais. The reserves squad play in the Championnat de France amateur division, the fourth division of French football and the highest division the team is allowed to participate in. Lyon have won...
in the semi-finals.
Borussia Dortmund
Following the season, news came that Le Tallec had become unsettled at Rennes, primarily due to his limited first-team opportunities at the club. Eager to begin his professional career, he was primarily linked to La LigaLa 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...
club Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
and was reportedly in the process of joining the club, but due to a shake up in the club's front office, the move was put on hold and eventually called off. He was later linked with moves to German clubs Hertha Berlin and 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...
. Two months later, on 8 August 2009, another German club, Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
, announced that they had signed the player to a three-year contract and that he will be gradually introduced to the first team.
International career
Le Tallec has featured for all of France's national youth teamsFrance 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...
beginning with the under-15 team
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...
earning his first selection in March 2006. He was a member of the under-17 team that reached the semi-finals at the 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2007 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship 2007 Final Tournament was held in Belgium from May 2, 2007, to May 13, 2007. Top 5 teams will qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007...
before losing to England
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
. He scored two goals in the tournament, both of them in the same game against Germany
Germany national youth football team
This article includes current squads of Germany U20, U19, U18, U17, U16 and U15 national football teams.-Current technical staff:- Germany national under-20 squad :- Germany national under-19 squad :- Germany national under-18 squad :...
. He later played with the same under-17 team at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2007 was held in the Korea Republic between 18 August and 9 September 2007. For this event, the number of teams had been expanded from 16 to 24, with the top two of each group and the four best third-place teams advancing to the Round of 16...
held in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Le Tallec appeared in all 5 matches scoring 4 goals, one against Haiti
Haiti national football team
The Haiti national football team represents Haiti in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, the governing body for football in Haiti. Haiti's home ground is Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince and their head coach is Edson Tavares...
, a brace against Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
in the Round of 16, and one against Spain
Spain national under-17 football team
The Spain national under-17 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain....
whom defeated France on penalties in the quarterfinals. In total with the under-17s, Le Tallec scored 14 goals in 18 appearances.
With the under-19 team, Le Tallec appeared in 15 matches scoring 6 goals. He scored three of those goals during the qualification process for the UEFA U-19 Championship
2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualification
2009 UEFA U-19 Championship was the first round of qualifications for the Final Tournament of 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. The final tournament of the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship is preceded by two qualification stages: a qualifying round and an Elite round...
against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein national football team
The Liechtenstein national football team is the national football team of Liechtenstein and is controlled by the Liechtenstein Football Association. The organisation is known as the Liechtensteiner Fussballverband in German. The team's first match was an unofficial match against Malta in Seoul, a...
, and Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
. The victory over Romania assured qualification to the tournament
2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:---------Final:-Top goalscorers:4 goals Nathan Delfouneso3 goals Henri Lansbury Danijel Aleksić Denys Harmash-External links:*...
. At the tournament, held in the Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Le Tellec appeared in all four matches helping France reach the semi-finals before suffering defeat to England
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
.