Charles Itandje

Charles Itandje
Personal information
Full name Charles-Hubert Itandje
Date of birth (1982-11-02) 2 November 1982
Place of birth Bobigny, France
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Gaziantepspor
Number 1
Youth career
1997–2000 Red Star
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2001 Red Star 9 (0)
2001–2007 Lens 196 (0)
2007–2010 Liverpool 7 (0)
2009–2010 → Kavala (loan) 25 (0)
2011–2013 Atromitos 67 (0)
2013–2015 PAOK 35 (0)
2013–2014 → Konyaspor (loan) 33 (0)
2015–2016 Çaykur Rizespor 33 (0)
2016– Gaziantepspor 0 (0)
National team‡
2002 France U21 5 (0)
2013– Cameroon 12 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12 March 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 13 December 2014

Charles-Hubert Itandje (born 2 November 1982) is a French-born Cameroonian professional footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Gaziantepspor as a goalkeeper.

Club career

RC Lens

Charles Itandje with RC Lens

Born in Bobigny (a suburb of Paris) of Cameroonian descent,[1] Itandje began his professional career at French club RC Lens in 2001, for whom he made 170 league appearances and 21 appearances in European games.[2] Lens were prepared to allow Itandje to leave for Liverpool after they signed two goalkeepers in the summer of 2007,[3] saying: "The directors of Lens have concluded the definitive sale of Charles Itandje to Liverpool Football Club. The Lens goalkeeper leaves Lens after six years of good and loyal service. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his future career."[4]

Liverpool

Itandje signed for Liverpool in August 2007,[5] as cover for Pepe Reina thus allowing Scott Carson to join Aston Villa on a season-long loan to play regularly.[3] Itandje said of his move: "At Liverpool there is a very good keeper who has been there three years. I am clearly going to be number 2. But, there are 60 matches a season and it is planned that I will play the League Cup and FA Cup."[6] He made his first team debut for Liverpool in a League Cup match against Reading on 25 September, which Liverpool won 4–2,[7] and in total, made three League Cup appearances and four FA Cup appearances for Liverpool in the 2007–08 season.[8]

He was made available for transfer in the summer of 2008 after Liverpool signed Diego Cavalieri but turned down a move to Galatasaray.[9] He made no further appearances for Liverpool and by January 2009 was seeking to leave the club.[10]

On 30 June 2010, Itandje returned to Liverpool. His contract with Liverpool was due to expire in January 2011 and he was at least fifth in the goalkeeping order, behind Pepe Reina, Brad Jones, Péter Gulácsi and Martin Hansen. Upon his return, his return was criticised by John Aldridge for not having playing time and instead collect his wages.[11] In total for Liverpool, Itandje played 7 times.

Hillsborough memorial incident

After the memorial service for the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in April 2009, complaints were made by members of the congregation that Itandje had been laughing and behaving inappropriately during the service.[12] His actions were condemned by the Liverpool hierarchy, who stated that they would be seeking to impose the maximum punishment possible.[12] Itandje apologised to the grieving families and to Liverpool fans for his behaviour and was suspended by the club for 14 days.[13] He did not play another game, at reserve or first team level, for the club.

In an exclusive interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Itandje spoke out about the Hillsborough incident for the first time. He said when he saw himself laughing on television, he described this as "awkward and unwelcome." As a result of this, Itandje stated the club never supported him for this and the club supporters started to threaten him saying: "Do not walk in the street, you'll get mugged." His increasing stress caused him to have eczema on his hand.[14]

Following his move to Atromitos, Itandje apologised emphatically:

I am sorry. I am sorry. I am sorry. A thousand times, I am sorry. To the club, to the fans and especially to the families, I am deeply sorry.[15]

Kavala and Atromitos

On 29 August 2009, Itandje moved on loan at Kavala for the whole of the season[16] despite interests from La Liga side Málaga and Sporting de Gijón.[17][18] Upon joining Kavala, Itandje says joining the club describes the experience as "exotic in a fairly ambitious club" and "unlike anything I have experienced" club. There is no fitness center, no training center£.[14] After being a second choice goalkeeper, Itandje managed to beat off competitions from veteran goalkeeper Željko Kalac to become a first choice goalkeeper.[19] Itandje went on to make 19 appearance for Kavala and Itandje also made 9 clean sheets for the club.

On 8 December 2010, it was announced that Itandje would be leaving Liverpool, being released from his contract. He joined Greek club Atromitos on a free transfer on 1 January 2011.[15] Upon his departure from Liverpool, Newspaper Liverpool Echo were relieved of finally getting rid of Itandje.[20] Since joining Greece permanently, Itandje have become the first choice goalkeeper throughout his Atromitos career.

He started the Greek Cup final for Atromitos who lost 3–0 to AEK at the OAKA stadium in Athens and also started in another Greek Cup final for Atromitos, which they lost 2-1 to Olympiacos at the OAKA stadium in Athens for the second time, which Atromitos played in. Despite losing the Greek Cup, Itandje, nevertheless, helped the club placed fifth place, which resulted a qualification in the Europa League. In the Europa League Qualification Round against Newcastle United, Itandje played in both legs, as Newcastle United win 2-1 on aggregate, thus putting Atromitos out of the Europa League.[21]

During his time at Atromitos, Itandje credited Giorgos Donis on helping him, quoting: "I am very proud that my coach says very good things about me. For this I came to the group. O Donis brought me much because he believed in me and told me to come in Atromitos."[19]

PAOK

On 29 January 2013, he signed a 2-year contract with PAOK, where he will be wearing number 27 shirt, as well as, rejoining Donis.[22]

On 10 July 2013, he signed a one-year contract on loan with Turkish side Konyaspor from PAOK.[23] Upon joining the club, he presented by the club's vice president and described "opening a new page in of career" and aim to succeed.[24] Itandje made his debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3-2 win over Fenerbahçe.[25] Since then, Itandje had become a first choice goalkeeper throughout the season at Konyaspor and kept nine clean sheet in thirty-three appearance, where he was ever present until he wasn't included for the final game of the season.

He returned to PAOK after his lending to Konyaspor and during the second half of the 2014/15 season became the first choice goalkeeper helping the club to improve its performance, especially after the advent of the new coach, Georgios Charalambous Georgiadis.[26]

International career

Itandje has represented France on several occasions, making his debut against Yugoslavia in November 2002.[27]

In 2006, he was called up for pre-selection for the French squad after a fine season at RC Lens.[28][29] He was selected for the équipe de France espoirs (the under-21 team), and became known for his dance to destabilize opponents during the penalty shootout.

In October 2010 he was cleared by FIFA to represent Cameroon after expressing his desire to play for the Cameroon national team.[30][31]

Itandje made his international debut in the World Cup Qualifier against Togo and soon made himself the number 1 choice.[32] He then went on to play in Cameroon's opening game in the World Cup against Mexico.[33] During the match, Itandje was subjected of homophobic chant, calling him a Spanish word "puto" ("male prostitute" in Mexican slang) every time he touched the ball by the Mexican supporters.[34] He then continued in their following two games against Croatia and Brazil. Cameroon lost all of these games, resulting in them being knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage.

Career statistics

As of 7 June 2015[35][36][37][38]
Club Season League Cup[A] Continental[B] Others[C] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Red Star 2000–01 90––––––90
Total 90––––––90
Lens 2001–02 00––––––00
2002–03 220––––––220
2003–04 360––30––390
2004–05 380––––––380
2005–06 370––50––420
2006–07 380––80––460
Total 1710––160––1870
Liverpool 2007–08 0040––3070
2008–09 00––––––00
Total 0040––3070
Kavala (loan) 2009–10 19020––––210
Total 19020––––210
Liverpool 2010–11 00––––––00
Total 00––––––00
Atromitos 2010–11 7030––––100
2011–12 25050––60360
2012–13 190––20––210
Total 510802060670
PAOK 2012–13 100--––––100
Total 100--––––100
Konyaspor 2013–14 330--––––330
Total 330--––––330
PAOK 2014–15 25010––––260
Total 25010––––260
Career total 3180150180903600

Notes

A. ^ Includes appearances in the Greek Cup and FA Cup.
B. ^ Includes appearances in the UEFA Europa League.
C. ^ Includes appearances in the League Cup and Superleague Greece play-offs.

References

  1. ↑ Charles Itandje Archived 12 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine., liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  2. ↑ "Charles-Hubert Itandje". Le site du Racing Club de Lens. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  3. 1 2 O'Rourke, Peter (9 August 2007). "Itandje agrees Reds move". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  4. ↑ "Reds clinch Itandje deal". Metro. Associated Newspapers Limited. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  5. ↑ "Villa close in on keeper Carson". BBC Sport. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  6. ↑ Fraser, Peter (18 August 2007). "Itandje wants Reds start". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  7. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (25 September 2007). "Reading 2–4 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  8. ↑ "Games played by Charles-Hubert Itandje in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  9. ↑ Haond, Patrick (1 August 2008). "Reds keeper rejects move". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  10. ↑ Haond, Patrick (27 January 2009). "Itandje desperate to quit". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  11. ↑ "John Aldridge: The sad case of Charles Itandje". Liverpool Echo. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  12. 1 2 Hunter, Andy (17 April 2009). "Liverpool to offload Charles Itandje after his Hillsborough service antics". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  13. ↑ "Memorial service player 'sorry'". BBC News. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  14. 1 2 "A Liverpool, on voulait ma peau". Le Jdd. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  15. 1 2 "Keeper Charles Itandje quits Liverpool for Atromitos". BBC News. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  16. ↑ Liverpool Allow Charles Itandje Join Kavala On Loan
  17. ↑ "Malaga move for Itandje". Sky Sports. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Liverpool outcast Charles Itandje set for Sporting Gijon move". Daily Mirror. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Στα έντεκα βήματα!". Gazzetta.gr. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  20. ↑ "Blood Red: Goodbye and good riddance to Liverpool FC misfit Charles Itandje". Liverpool Echo. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Newcastle United 2 - 1 Atromitos (2-1 on aggregate)". BBC Sport. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "Sign up and Itanz" [Υπέγραψε και ο Ιτάνζ] (in Greek). Gazetta.gr. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Charles Hubert Itandje Konyaspor'umuzda". konyaspor.org.tr. Konyaspor. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Torque Itandje Konyaspor'da" [Itandje Torku Konyaspor'da] (in Turkish). Liga TV. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Itandje dropped Fenerbahçe" [Foot TUR 1re j. Itandje fait tomber Fenerbahçe] (in French). L'Equipe. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  26. ↑ Η εξαίρεση, Σαρλ Ιτάνζ! (in Greek). sport24.gr. 1 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "France - U-21 - International Results - Details". rsssf.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  28. ↑ (French) List of the pre-selected players in the French A-squad in the season 2007–2008
  29. ↑ Haond, Patrick (26 April 2006). "Itandje eyes France chance". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  30. ↑ "FIFA clears Liverpool goalie Itandje to play for Cameroon". afrikansoccer.com. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  31. ↑ "Charles Itandje habilité à jouer avec le Cameroun". journalducameroun.com (in French). 13 October 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  32. ↑ "Cameroon's World Cup 2014 hopes pinned on Charles Itandje". Daily Telegraph. 9 February 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  33. ↑ "Mexico 1 0 Cameroon". BBC Sport. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  34. ↑ "Fifa drops 'gay chants' case of Mexico World Cup fans". BBC Sport. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  35. ↑ "Charles Itandje profile". Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  36. ↑ "Charles Itandje profile". Soccerway.
  37. ↑ "Charles-Hubert Itandje profile". Soccerbase.
  38. ↑ "Charles Itandje profile". ZeroZero.
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