Guy Demel
Encyclopedia
Guy Roland Demel is a footballer who plays for West Ham United
as a defender
.
, Paris
, Demel started his professional career in the French Ligue 2
with Nîmes Olympique
. He was discovered and bought by Arsenal
, and spent a year there before being transferred to Borussia Dortmund
. He left Arsenal claiming he was homesick and therefore observers were baffled at his move to Dortmund. He debuted in the Bundesliga
in 2003, and left Dortmund to join Hamburg in 2005, after struggling to hold down a first team place.
While at Hamburg, Demel played regularly as both a right back and a midfielder
. In May 2006, he signed a new contract with Hamburg, tying him to the club until 2010.
Demel was released by Hamburg at the expiration of his contract and returned to England in 2011, with West Ham United
, that Demel made his West Ham United debut.
, playing at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, and being named to the squad for the 2006
and 2010 World Cup
finals.
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...
as a defender
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....
.
Club career
Born in OrsayOrsay
Orsay is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, from the center of Paris.Inhabitants of Orsay are known as Orcéens.-History:...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Demel started his professional career in the French Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
with Nîmes Olympique
Nîmes Olympique
Nîmes Olympique is a French association football club based in Nîmes. The club was formed on 10 April 1937 and currently play in Championnat National, the third level of French football. The club's only achievement was winning Ligue 2 in 1950 and the Championnat National in 1997...
. He was discovered and bought by 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...
, and spent a year there before being transferred to 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...
. He left Arsenal claiming he was homesick and therefore observers were baffled at his move to Dortmund. He debuted in the 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...
in 2003, and left Dortmund to join Hamburg in 2005, after struggling to hold down a first team place.
While at Hamburg, Demel played regularly as both a right back and a 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...
. In May 2006, he signed a new contract with Hamburg, tying him to the club until 2010.
Demel was released by Hamburg at the expiration of his contract and returned to England in 2011, with West Ham United
West Ham United
He signed a two-year deal, with the option of a third, with West Ham on 31 August 2011. Due to injuries it was not until 29 November 2011, in a 2-0 away win against MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, that Demel made his West Ham United debut.
International career
In 2004 Demel, a French citizen, acquired an Ivorian passport. He has since been selected for the national teamCôte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
, playing at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, and being named to the squad for the 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
and 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
finals.