Maxime Bourgeois
Encyclopedia
Maxime Bourgeois is a French football player who currently plays for Châteauroux
in Ligue 2
on loan from Auxerre
. Bourgeois is a France youth international
having played for the France under-19 team
. Bourgeois plays as an attacking midfielder and in the striker
position.
Villecresnes
joining ASPTT Villecresnes. Bourgeois performed well at the club and, as a result, drew interest from professional club US Créteil-Lusitanos
, who offered the player a spot in their youth academy. After discussing the move, Bourgeois's parents denied the move with efforts to keep the young player close to home. After two more years at Villecresnes, he was allowed move to Créteil
. Despite enduring struggles early on at Créteil, Bourgeois became one of the club's most sought after prospects. After two years at the club, he had generated interest from Ligue 1
clubs Paris Saint-Germain, Lille
, Strasbourg
, and Monaco
. He was later spotted by another Ligue 1 club, Auxerre
, following a youth tournament. With Auxerre being close to his hometown Brunoy and the club's youth system being nationally recognized, Bourgeois agreed to the move signing a four-year aspirant (youth) contract until the age of 18.
. He scored his first CFA goal on 30 August against La Vitréenne
bagging the equalising goal in the 69th minute. The following week, he scored again, this time against Quimper Cornouaille. Auxerre won the match 2–1. Because of his successful play in the reserves, on 16 October, Auxerre manager Jean Fernandez
called the player up for their league match against Bordeaux
. He didn't feature in the match, but later made the bench against Paris Saint-Germain in November. Bourgeois did make his professional debut in that match appearing as a substitute in the 87th minute for Aurélien Capoue
. Auxerre lost the match 1–0.
LB Châteauroux
La Berrichonne de Châteauroux is a French association football club based in Châteauroux. The football team is a part of a sports club that consists of several other sports and was founded in 1883. The team currently plays in Ligue 2, the second division of French football, having finished 16th in...
in 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...
on loan from 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...
. Bourgeois 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...
having played for the France under-19 team
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
. Bourgeois plays as an attacking midfielder and in the striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
position.
Early career
Bourgeois began his career, at age 5, playing for his hometown club FC Brunoy. After spending a year at the club, he moved to nearby communeCommunes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
Villecresnes
Villecresnes
Villecresnes is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Transport:Villecresnes is served by no station of the Paris Métro, RER, or suburban rail network. The closest station to Villecresnes is Boissy-Saint-Léger station on Paris RER line A...
joining ASPTT Villecresnes. Bourgeois performed well at the club and, as a result, drew interest from professional club US Créteil-Lusitanos
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...
, who offered the player a spot in their youth academy. After discussing the move, Bourgeois's parents denied the move with efforts to keep the young player close to home. After two more years at Villecresnes, he was allowed move to Créteil
Créteil
-Health:As of 1 January 2006, 27 pharmacies, about 60 dentists, about 60 general practitioners, 10 pediatricians, and a half-dozen ophthalmologists and dermatologists constitute the general medical staff of the city.Health facilities include:...
. Despite enduring struggles early on at Créteil, Bourgeois became one of the club's most sought after prospects. After two years at the club, he had generated interest from 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....
clubs Paris Saint-Germain, Lille
Lille OSC
LOSC Lille Métropole is a French association football club based in Lille. The club was founded in 1944 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football. Lille plays its home matches at the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. In 2012, the...
, Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
, and Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
. He was later spotted by another Ligue 1 club, 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...
, following a youth tournament. With Auxerre being close to his hometown Brunoy and the club's youth system being nationally recognized, Bourgeois agreed to the move signing a four-year aspirant (youth) contract until the age of 18.
Auxerre
Bourgeois initially started with the club's under-16 team. His consistent play saw him promoted to the under-18 team for the 2008–09 season. Following the season, he was promoted to the club's CFA team and made his debut on 8 August 2009 playing 59 minutes in a 1–1 draw with MantesFC Mantes
Football Club Mantois 78 are a French football club that was founded in 1994. The club is based in Mantes-la-Ville in the suburbs of Paris and is of the Yvelines department. The club's relatively late foundation is due to a merger between three other clubs from the region...
. He scored his first CFA goal on 30 August against La Vitréenne
La Vitréenne FC
La Vitréenne Football Club is a French football club which was founded in 1973. The club is based in Vitré, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany. The club currently plays in the Championnat de France Amateurs Group D, the fourth tier of the French football league system....
bagging the equalising goal in the 69th minute. The following week, he scored again, this time against Quimper Cornouaille. Auxerre won the match 2–1. Because of his successful play in the reserves, on 16 October, Auxerre manager Jean Fernandez
Jean Fernandez
Jean Fernandez is a football manager, currently manages AS Nancy. He has previously managed FC Metz and Olympique Marseille, where French national team star Franck Ribéry saw him as a mentor...
called the player up for their league match 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 didn't feature in the match, but later made the bench against Paris Saint-Germain in November. Bourgeois did make his professional debut in that match appearing as a substitute in the 87th minute for Aurélien Capoue
Aurélien Capoue
Aurélien Capoue is a French football midfielder, currently playing for French club US Boulogne.-International career:Capoue made his debut for Guadeloupe at the CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals in June 2007 against Haiti...
. Auxerre lost the match 1–0.