Yann Sommer
Encyclopedia
Yann Sommer is a Swiss
footballer
who plays as a goalkeeper
for FC Basel
in the Swiss Super League
.
. He moved to the FC Basel
youth in 2003. He signed his first professional contract with FC Basel
in 2005. He became the first choice goalkeeper in the Under-21 squad almost immediately, fending off opposition like Jayson Leutwiler
and Orkan Avci, and was third choice for the senior squad behind Franco Costanzo
and Louis Crayton
.
During the Summer of 2007, he signed a new contract, dated until 2011, and was loaned out to Liechtenstein
er club FC Vaduz
to gain first-team experience in an environment somewhat more competitive than with the Reserves in the Swiss 1. Liga
. He was made the first-choice goalkeeper and played 33 matches over the course of the Swiss Challenge League 2007–08 season, playing a major part in Vaduz's promotion to the Swiss Super League
. His loan deal was extended, lasting until January 2009. He made his Super League debut for Vaduz on 20 July 2008 in the 2:1 away win against FC Luzern. Sommer was recalled to Basel on January 7 2009 because their first choice goalie was injured.
He made his Super League debut for Basel in a 3–2 defeat to BSC Young Boys
at the Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf
on 7 February 2009. He played six games for Basel up until the end of the season. On 16 June 2009, he joined Grasshopper-Club Zürich
on a one season-long loan. During his season for the Grasshoppers he played 33 League matches.
On 14 June 2010 Yann Sommer signed a five year contract with FC Basel. He served as second goalie behind Franco Costanzo
. During March 2011 FC Basel announced that they would not prolong the contract with Costanzo and therefore Sommer was to become the teams first-choice goalkeeper. Sommer played five Super League games during the 2010-11 season and so was part of the championship winning team.
Yann Sommer played his UEFA Champions League
debut on the 14 September 2011 in the 2:1 home win against Oțelul Galați
.
at various age levels including Under-16's, Under-17's
, Under-19's
and Under-21's
. He was Goalkeeper and captain of the Swiss U-21 team that competed in the final tournament of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
, hosted by Denmark
between 11 and 25 June 2011. The Swiss team reached the final without conceding a goal, but lost to Spain U-21
2-0.
Basel
International
Individual
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who plays as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
.
Club career
As a child Sommer played in the youth teams of his local side FC Herrliberg and later by FC Concordia BaselFC Concordia Basel
FC Concordia Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. The club was founded in 1907. They play in the 2nd regional league which is the fifth level, and their home stadium is Rankhof Stadium....
. He moved to the FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
youth in 2003. He signed his first professional contract with FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in 2005. He became the first choice goalkeeper in the Under-21 squad almost immediately, fending off opposition like Jayson Leutwiler
Jayson Leutwiler
Jayson Leutwiler is a Swiss footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Yverdon-Sport FC in the Swiss Challenge League, on loan from FC Basel.-Football career:...
and Orkan Avci, and was third choice for the senior squad behind Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
and Louis Crayton
Louis Crayton
Louis Crayton is a Liberian footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Europe:...
.
During the Summer of 2007, he signed a new contract, dated until 2011, and was loaned out to Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
er club FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
to gain first-team experience in an environment somewhat more competitive than with the Reserves in the Swiss 1. Liga
Swiss 1. Liga (football)
1. Liga is the third tier of the Swiss Football League. The division is split into three groups of 16 teams, by geographical region.-Regional Format:...
. He was made the first-choice goalkeeper and played 33 matches over the course of the Swiss Challenge League 2007–08 season, playing a major part in Vaduz's promotion to the Swiss Super League
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
. His loan deal was extended, lasting until January 2009. He made his Super League debut for Vaduz on 20 July 2008 in the 2:1 away win against FC Luzern. Sommer was recalled to Basel on January 7 2009 because their first choice goalie was injured.
He made his Super League debut for Basel in a 3–2 defeat to BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
at the Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf
Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf
The Stade de Suisse Wankdorf is a football stadium in Bern, Switzerland.It is the home ground of the Swiss football team BSC Young Boys, and is currently the second biggest all-seater football stadium in Switzerland....
on 7 February 2009. He played six games for Basel up until the end of the season. On 16 June 2009, he joined Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
on a one season-long loan. During his season for the Grasshoppers he played 33 League matches.
On 14 June 2010 Yann Sommer signed a five year contract with FC Basel. He served as second goalie behind Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo
Franco Costanzo is an Argentine international football goalkeeper, who plays now for Olympiacos Piraeus FC. He has earned the reputation of being an eccentric goalkeeper by often dribbling the ball past the opposition's strikers and by making somewhat unorthodox saves...
. During March 2011 FC Basel announced that they would not prolong the contract with Costanzo and therefore Sommer was to become the teams first-choice goalkeeper. Sommer played five Super League games during the 2010-11 season and so was part of the championship winning team.
Yann Sommer played his UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
debut on the 14 September 2011 in the 2:1 home win against Oțelul Galați
FC Otelul Galati
Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and...
.
International career
Yann Sommer has represented SwitzerlandSwitzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
at various age levels including Under-16's, Under-17's
Switzerland national under-17 football team
The Switzerland national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and in the FIFA U-17 World Cup...
, Under-19's
Switzerland national under-19 football team
The Swiss national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Switzerland controlled by Swiss Football Association.-See also:* Switzerland national football team* Switzerland national under-21 football team...
and Under-21's
Switzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
. He was Goalkeeper and captain of the Swiss U-21 team that competed in the final tournament of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
, hosted by Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
between 11 and 25 June 2011. The Swiss team reached the final without conceding a goal, but lost to Spain U-21
Spain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
2-0.
Honours
Vaduz- Swiss Challenge League Champion: 2008
Basel
- Swiss Super League ChampionSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
: 2011 - Uhrencup WinnerUhrencupThe Uhrencup is a club football tournament, held annually in Switzerland.The tournament usually features four teams , each playing two matches, and is held in July at Stadion Brühl in Grenchen. As a friendly tournament, the format tends to be fluid...
: 2011
International
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
: Finalist
Individual
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
: Team of the Tournament