Jonathan Assous
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Victor Gerard Assous (born September 2, 1983, in Sarcelles
) is a French-Israeli football player who is currently contracted to Hapoel Ramat Gan in Israel
. In France, Assous was widely known for his temper and rough play.
with club AS Nancy
. Sparingly making a league appearance, he moved down to the Championnat National
to play with Nîmes
. Fine performances in the Championnat earned him a contract with Angers SCO
. There he grabbed headlines for his rough play which got him ejected on numerous occasions. During his stint with Créteil
, he trialed with Nice
and impressed then-manager Frédéric Antonetti
. Unfortunately, contractual problems with Créteil ended his chance of making it to Ligue 1
for the first time in his career. Instead, Assous joined Stade Reims
where he was able to carve out a spot in the starting 11.
After the successful acclimation of French midfielder Rudy Haddad
to life in Israel, Maccabi decided to look for more Jewish footballers who would not count against the foreign player cap. Frenchman Kevin Pariente
and Americans
Benny Feilhaber
and Jonathan Bornstein
were originally scouted for the club. After Maccabi could not come to terms with their respective clubs, they turned to Assous who was having a good season in France. Some fans were vocally opposed to signing Assous because of his previously unsuccessful trial with Hapoel Kfar Saba and lack of "star quality".
Immediately after being bought, Assous went to the Jewish Agency offices in Paris to fill out all necessary forms for receiving Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return
.
In 2008, he was joined in Israel by his brother, Gary
who signed with Maccabi Netanya.
From 2009 to 2011, he was playing for Hapoel Petah Tikva.
On January 2011, he joined Hapoel Ramat Gan.
Sarcelles
Sarcelles is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Sarcelles is a sub-prefecture of the Val-d'Oise department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Sarcelles....
) is a French-Israeli football player who is currently contracted to Hapoel Ramat Gan in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. In France, Assous was widely known for his temper and rough play.
Playing career
Assous began his professional career in the Ligue 2Ligue 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 club AS Nancy
AS Nancy
Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine is a French association football club based in Nancy. The club was founded in 1967 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Nancy plays its home matches at the Stade Marcel Picot in Tomblaine, a commune located in the Arrondissement of...
. Sparingly making a league appearance, he moved down to the Championnat National
Championnat National
The Championnat de France National, commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, serves as the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
to play with Nîmes
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...
. Fine performances in the Championnat earned him a contract with Angers SCO
Angers SCO
Angers Sporting Club de l'Ouest is a French association football club based in Angers. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second division of French football having achieved promotion to the league in 2007. Angers play its home matches at the Stade Jean Bouin located...
. There he grabbed headlines for his rough play which got him ejected on numerous occasions. During his stint with Créteil
US Créteil-Lusitanos
Union Sportive Créteil-Lusitanos Football is a French football club based in Créteil, a southeastern suburb of Paris. The club was founded in 1936 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third division of French football...
, he trialed with Nice
OGC Nice
Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. Nice plays its home matches at the Stade Municipal du Ray located within the city. In 2013, the club is...
and impressed then-manager Frédéric Antonetti
Frédéric Antonetti
Frédéric Antonetti is a football manager, currently managing Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.-Manager:-References:...
. Unfortunately, contractual problems with Créteil ended his chance of making it to 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....
for the first time in his career. Instead, Assous joined Stade Reims
Stade Reims
Stade de Reims is a French association football club based in Reims. The club was formed in 1911 under the name Société Sportive du Parc Pommery and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football having achieved promotion to the league following the 2009–10 season...
where he was able to carve out a spot in the starting 11.
After the successful acclimation of French midfielder Rudy Haddad
Rudy Haddad
Rudy Haddad is a French footballer of Jewish Tunisian descent, currently with AJ Auxerre.Rudy, a previously highly touted young player, came up through the youth system at Paris St. Germain. On January 21, 2009, he was loaned out to Valenciennes FC.He was unable to hold down a regular first team...
to life in Israel, Maccabi decided to look for more Jewish footballers who would not count against the foreign player cap. Frenchman Kevin Pariente
Kevin Pariente
Kevin Pariente is a French professional footballer. He currently plays for the Turkish club Bucaspor.- Early years :...
and Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Benny Feilhaber
Benny Feilhaber
Benny Feilhaber is Brazilian-born American soccer player currently playing for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-Early life:...
and Jonathan Bornstein
Jonathan Bornstein
Jonathan Rey Bornstein is an American soccer player who currently plays for UANL of the Primera División de México and for the United States national team.-Youth and College:...
were originally scouted for the club. After Maccabi could not come to terms with their respective clubs, they turned to Assous who was having a good season in France. Some fans were vocally opposed to signing Assous because of his previously unsuccessful trial with Hapoel Kfar Saba and lack of "star quality".
Immediately after being bought, Assous went to the Jewish Agency offices in Paris to fill out all necessary forms for receiving Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return
Law of Return
The Law of Return is Israeli legislation, passed on 5 July 1950, that gives Jews the right of return and settlement in Israel and gain citizenship...
.
In 2008, he was joined in Israel by his brother, Gary
Gary Assous
Gary Meir Mordechai Assous is a French-Israeli professional footballer. He is currently contracted with Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem.- Biography :...
who signed with Maccabi Netanya.
From 2009 to 2011, he was playing for Hapoel Petah Tikva.
On January 2011, he joined Hapoel Ramat Gan.
See also
- List of select Jewish football (association; soccer) players