Gregory Vignal
Encyclopedia
Grégory Vignal is a French footballer. A left full back
or midfielder
, he is currently a free agent, having played most recently for Premier League club Birmingham City
.
Vignal has played in the top division in four countries – England, France, Spain and Scotland – and in the second tier in a fifth, Germany, though as of 2009 he is yet to play more than 30 league games for any of his clubs. At international level, he represented France at under-20 level
in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
and has also been capped
at under-21 level
.
in September 2000 for £
500,000.
He immediately impressed in his first reserve team outings and made his first team debut against Rotherham United
in the FA Cup
. He went on to make a further six appearances during the 2000–01 season.
Vignal returned for the following season having featured in the World Youth Championship with the France Under-18 squad, and staked his claim for the left-back spot with some impressive performances at the start of the 2001–02 season. However, he found it hard to displace the reliable and experienced John Arne Riise
. He went on to make nine appearances that season.
He made just four appearances during the first half of the 2002–03 season, and was loaned to Sporting Club de Bastia
for the remainder of the campaign in mid-January 2003.
During the 2003–04 campaign Vignal was again loaned out to Stade Rennais FC
for the first half of the season, and to RCD Espanyol
for the latter half.
Vignal had a season at Rangers
as the club regained the Scottish Premier League
title, playing 42 games for the club, picking up a Scottish League Cup
winner's medal as well as the championship.
. He was then released from Portsmouth after failing to impress Harry Redknapp on his return in the 2005–06 season.
on a free transfer; Lens loaned him to Kaiserslautern in January 2007 for the second half of the season.
On 9 July 2007, he began a one week trial with Southampton
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=8687, which was extended to a season-long loan on 27 July 2007. He made his debut for the club in the match against Lazio. He scored his first goal for the Saints with a free-kick in a 2–0 win over Leicester City F.C in the FA Cup
. Vignal scored his first league goal for Southampton against Scunthorpe United
from a penalty whilst playing with a broken arm. He scored another penalty in the 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers
before being sent-off for an off the ball incident. However he later won an appeal against the card. Vignal scored yet another penalty in the following match against Blackpool
, which put the Saints 1–0 up. The game finished 2–2. He scored four goals in the 2007–08 season.
During the summer of 2009, Vignal had a trial with Queens Park Rangers
which did not bring the offer of a contract.
, newly promoted
to the Premier League. After producing what manager Alex McLeish
described as a "strong performance", Vignal signed a one-year contract with the club, with an option for a further year, subject to medical examination. Injury disrupted his season, which combined with the form of Liam Ridgewell
at left-back restricted the player to just nine first-team appearances. The club chose not to take up the option of a second year.
In July 2010, Vignal had trials with Sheffield United
and Cardiff City
.
In September 2010, he joined Atromitos F.C..
In December 2010, he parted ways with Atromitos F.C.
Rangers
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he is currently a free agent, having played most recently for Premier League club 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...
.
Vignal has played in the top division in four countries – England, France, Spain and Scotland – and in the second tier in a fifth, Germany, though as of 2009 he is yet to play more than 30 league games for any of his clubs. At international level, he represented France at under-20 level
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata...
and has also been capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
at under-21 level
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...
.
Liverpool
Vignal began his career at his home town club, Montpellier Hérault SC. He soon established a reputation as a promising young player, and was signed by LiverpoolLiverpool 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...
in September 2000 for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
500,000.
He immediately impressed in his first reserve team outings and made his first team debut against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
in 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...
. He went on to make a further six appearances during the 2000–01 season.
Vignal returned for the following season having featured in the World Youth Championship with the France Under-18 squad, and staked his claim for the left-back spot with some impressive performances at the start of the 2001–02 season. However, he found it hard to displace the reliable and experienced John Arne Riise
John Arne Riise
John Arne Semundseth Riise is a Norwegian footballer who currently plays as a left wing-back for Fulham and the Norwegian national team. Riise spent seven years playing for Premier League side Liverpool before moving to Roma in 2008...
. He went on to make nine appearances that season.
He made just four appearances during the first half of the 2002–03 season, and was loaned to Sporting Club de Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
for the remainder of the campaign in mid-January 2003.
During the 2003–04 campaign Vignal was again loaned out to Stade Rennais FC
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...
for the first half of the season, and to RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
for the latter half.
Vignal had a season at Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
as the club regained the 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...
title, playing 42 games for the club, picking up a Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
winner's medal as well as the championship.
Portsmouth
At the end of the season Vignal's Liverpool contract expired, and with him available on a free transfer Rangers wanted Vignal to sign a permanent contract with them. However he failed to agree terms, instead opting to move to PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. He was then released from Portsmouth after failing to impress Harry Redknapp on his return in the 2005–06 season.
RC Lens
He then moved to RC LensRC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
on a free transfer; Lens loaned him to Kaiserslautern in January 2007 for the second half of the season.
On 9 July 2007, he began a one week trial with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=8687, which was extended to a season-long loan on 27 July 2007. He made his debut for the club in the match against Lazio. He scored his first goal for the Saints with a free-kick in a 2–0 win over Leicester City F.C in 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...
. Vignal scored his first league goal for Southampton against 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....
from a penalty whilst playing with a broken arm. He scored another penalty in the 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
before being sent-off for an off the ball incident. However he later won an appeal against the card. Vignal scored yet another penalty in the following match against Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, which put the Saints 1–0 up. The game finished 2–2. He scored four goals in the 2007–08 season.
During the summer of 2009, Vignal had a trial with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
which did not bring the offer of a contract.
Birmingham City
He then played in a friendly match against Sporting Gijon as part of a trial with Birmingham CityBirmingham 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...
, newly promoted
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the Premier League. After producing what manager Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
described as a "strong performance", Vignal signed a one-year contract with the club, with an option for a further year, subject to medical examination. Injury disrupted his season, which combined with the form of Liam Ridgewell
Liam Ridgewell
Liam Matthew Ridgewell is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Birmingham City. He is primarily a centre half but can also play at left back. Previously a player for Birmingham's arch-rivals Aston Villa, Ridgewell also spent a spell on loan at A.F.C. Bournemouth in 2002.-Early...
at left-back restricted the player to just nine first-team appearances. The club chose not to take up the option of a second year.
In July 2010, Vignal had trials with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
.
In September 2010, he joined Atromitos F.C..
In December 2010, he parted ways with Atromitos F.C.
Honours
LiverpoolLiverpool 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...
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
: 2001 - UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
: 2001 - European Super CupEuropean Super CupThe UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
: 2001
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 2005 - Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 2005