Steve Savidan
Encyclopedia
Steve Savidan is a retired French
footballer who played as a striker.
A late bloomer
, he played for seven different clubs, mostly in the country's second
and third divisions
. At the age of 30, he reached the French national team
for his sole cap
.
, his hometown team. He attracted attention from LB Châteauroux
and was transferred after two seasons. Out of 20 games, he only managed to score three goals as a substitute and, at the end of the year, was sold to AC Ajaccio
.
Savidan would spend also only one year at his new club, before returning to former side Angers. In 2002–03, he was bought by AS Beauvais, and failed to score a single goal over the entire course of the season, being transferred to AS Angoulême subsequently. As the club operated then in the third level
, thus lacking professional status, Savidan would also work briefly as a waste collector
and bartender
. He finished that season with his best individual effort at the time, with 12 goals.
At age 26, Savidan signed with Valenciennes FC
, also in the third division. Mainly due to his impressive scoring rate, the club went straight into the top flight
in just two seasons. During the latter, Valenciennes were crowned league winners, as Savidan finished joint-top scorer, at 16.
In his first game in the first level, at AJ Auxerre
(aged 28), he netted in a 1–1 draw, on 5 August 2006. On 10 February of the following year, Savidan had an impressive performance, scoring four goals in a spectacular 5–2 away win, against FC Nantes. He would finish the season as the competition's second top scorer, behind veteran Pauleta
.
Settled in Valenciennes, Savidan opened a restaurant
called K9 (K for wife Karine, and 9 for his shirt number). However, he signed for SM Caen
in summer 2008 for a reported fee of €
5 million.
Savidan scored fourteen goals in the 2008–09 season, but Caen was relegated to division two. Subsequently, he arranged a move to AS Monaco FC
, in the €
5million region; however, a defect in his heart was detected upon his medical, and the 31-year old ended his career on 4 July 2009, on the advice of the club's doctors.
In the fall of 2009, Savidan - who played ice hockey
in his childhood - joined hometown club ASG Angers
, serving as coach of the under-9 team.
during his two-year stint in the top level at Valenciennes, where he displayed good form.
However, on 13 November 2008, aged 30, he was picked to the national team by coach
Raymond Domenech
, who was impressed by the player's start to the 2008–09 campaign. He played the second half of the 0–0 home draw against Uruguay
, on the 19th.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer who played as a striker.
A late bloomer
Late bloomer
A late bloomer is a person whose talents or capabilities are not visible to others until later than usual. The term is used metaphorically to describe a child or adolescent who develops more slowly than others in their age group, but eventually catches up and in some cases overtakes their peers, or...
, he played for seven different clubs, mostly in the country's second
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...
and third divisions
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...
. At the age of 30, he reached the French national team
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
for his sole cap
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...
.
Club career
Savidan's first year of professional football was spent with Angers SCOAngers 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...
, his hometown team. He attracted attention from LB Châteauroux
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...
and was transferred after two seasons. Out of 20 games, he only managed to score three goals as a substitute and, at the end of the year, was sold to AC Ajaccio
AC Ajaccio
Athletic Club Ajaccio is a French association football club based in the city of Ajaccio on the island of Corsica. The club was founded in 1910 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, having finished 2nd in the 2010–11 campaign in Ligue 2. The club president is Alain...
.
Savidan would spend also only one year at his new club, before returning to former side Angers. In 2002–03, he was bought by AS Beauvais, and failed to score a single goal over the entire course of the season, being transferred to AS Angoulême subsequently. As the club operated then in the third level
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...
, thus lacking professional status, Savidan would also work briefly as a waste collector
Waste collector
A waste collector is a person employed by a public or private enterprise to collect and remove refuse and recyclables from residential, commercial, industrial or other collection site for further processing and disposal...
and bartender
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
. He finished that season with his best individual effort at the time, with 12 goals.
At age 26, Savidan signed with Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
, also in the third division. Mainly due to his impressive scoring rate, the club went straight into the top flight
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....
in just two seasons. During the latter, Valenciennes were crowned league winners, as Savidan finished joint-top scorer, at 16.
In his first game in the first level, at AJ 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...
(aged 28), he netted in a 1–1 draw, on 5 August 2006. On 10 February of the following year, Savidan had an impressive performance, scoring four goals in a spectacular 5–2 away win, against FC Nantes. He would finish the season as the competition's second top scorer, behind veteran Pauleta
Pauleta
Pedro Miguel Carreiro Resendes, OIH , commonly known as Pauleta , is a retired Portuguese footballer who played as a striker....
.
Settled in Valenciennes, Savidan opened a restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
called K9 (K for wife Karine, and 9 for his shirt number). However, he signed for SM Caen
SM Caen
Stade Malherbe Caen is a professional French football team, playing in the city of Caen, Normandy. The club was founded on 17 November 1913 following the merger of Club Malherbe Caennais and Club Sportif Caennais...
in summer 2008 for a reported fee of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
5 million.
Savidan scored fourteen goals in the 2008–09 season, but Caen was relegated to division two. Subsequently, he arranged a move to AS Monaco FC
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...
, in the €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
5million region; however, a defect in his heart was detected upon his medical, and the 31-year old ended his career on 4 July 2009, on the advice of the club's doctors.
In the fall of 2009, Savidan - who played ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
in his childhood - joined hometown club ASG Angers
Ducs d'Angers
The Association des Sports de Glisse d'Angers is a French ice hockey team based in Angers playing in the Ligue Magnus. The team currently use the name of "Les Ducs d'Angers " ....
, serving as coach of the under-9 team.
International career
Savidan did not receive any call-ups to represent FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
during his two-year stint in the top level at Valenciennes, where he displayed good form.
However, on 13 November 2008, aged 30, he was picked to the national team by coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech
Raymond Domenech is a retired French footballer and the former manager of the France national team.-2006 World Cup:On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the...
, who was impressed by the player's start to the 2008–09 campaign. He played the second half of the 0–0 home draw against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
, on the 19th.
Individual
- Second DivisionLigue 2Ligue 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...
: Top scorer 2005–06 - Third DivisionChampionnat NationalThe 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...
: Top scorer 2004–05