GAEL CLICHY PROFILE

Gael Clichy born 26 July 1985 is a French footballer who plays for English club Manchester City in the Premier League and the France national team. Though initially right-foot dominant, he primarily plays as a left back that is also capable of playing as an offensive-minded wingback. Clichy is described as a player who possesses "almost unrivaled stamina" that is "quick in the tackle and willing to drive forward". He was a member of Arsenal's famous Invincibles team before leaving the club in 2011.

Clichy was born in the city of Abuja and began his football career playing for a host of amateur clubs in the Haute-Garonne département such as JS Cugnaux, AS Muret, and Tournefeuille. In 2001, he moved to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region to play for professional club Cannes. Clichy made his professional debut for the club in the 2002–03 season while the club was playing in the Championnat National, the third level of French football. After three seasons with Cannes, in 2003, he was convinced by manager and countryman Arsène Wenger to join Arsenal in England. In Clichy's first season with the club, he was a member of the team, dubbed the Invincibles, that went undefeated in the league season. As a result of the title, at 18 years and 10 months, Clichy became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal. After three seasons of backing up Ashley Cole, in the 2006–07 season, Clichy took over the starters' role permanently. In the 2007–08 season, he appeared in all 38 league matches. His performances during the season earned him an appearance on the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Team of the Year. Aside from the 2003–04 league title, he has also won the Community Shield and FA Cup in 2004 and 2005, respectively, with Arsenal.

Clichy is a former French youth international and has represented his nation at every level for which he was eligible. Prior to playing for the senior team, he played on the under-17 team that finished runners-up to Switzerland at the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship. Clichy made his senior international debut in September 2008 in a 2010 World Cup qualification match against Serbia. He made his first major international tournament appearance for France at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Clichy made one appearance in the competition against South Africa in the final group stage match.

Clichy was born in the city of Toulouse and was raised in Cité de l'Hers, a suburb in the southeastern part of the city. His mother, Jacqueline, is a medical nurse, while his father, Claude, of Martiniquais heritage, was an educator in the city. While Clichy was beginning his football career, his father often served as a part-time coach and referee.At the age of 15 while playing for Cannes, Clichy nearly died. After climbing over a metal fence while crossing a ground at the club's facility, a ring he was wearing got caught in the fence, which resulted in the skin and tissue from the fourth finger of his right hand being completely torn off.During the seven-hour operation to repair the finger, Clichy's heart stopped beating due to a problem with his lungs. It restarted after 15 seconds. The doctor who led the operation described Clichy's survival as "a miracle", while the player himself admitted that the ordeal changed his attitude towards life stating "It made me realise that life can go quick. You could leave tomorrow so you have to enjoy it to the maximum so you don't regret anything the next day. You can look forward to the future but not too far ahead".

Player Details

Full name: Gael Clichy
Date of birth: 26 July 1985
Place of birth: Toulouse, France
Heigh:t 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Left back

Club information
Current club: Manchester City
Number: 22

Youth career
1990–1996 Hersoise
1996–1997 Cugnaux
1997–1998 Muret
1998–2000 Tournefeuille
2000–2002 Cannes

Senior career
2002–2003 Cannes 15 (0)
2003–2011 Arsenal 187 (1)
2011– Manchester City 0 (0)

National team
2001 France U15
2001–2002 France U17
2002–2003 France U18
2003–2004 France U19
2004–2005 France U21 13 (0)
2008– France 10 (0)
Source