Steven Defour

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steven Defour
Dinamo-Anderleht (4).jpg
Defour playing for Anderlecht in 2015
Personal information
Full name Steven Arnold Defour[1]
Date of birth (1988-04-15) 15 April 1988 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Mechelen, Belgium
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1997 Zennester Hombeek
1997–2004 Mechelen
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Genk 30 (1)
2006–2011 Standard Liège 127 (13)
2011–2014 Porto 65 (3)
2014–2016 Anderlecht 63 (9)
2016–2019 Burnley 51 (2)
2019–2020 Antwerp 11 (0)
2020–2021 Mechelen 16 (0)
Total 363 (28)
National team
2003 Belgium U15 5 (1)
2003–2004 Belgium U16 11 (1)
2004–2005 Belgium U17 11 (1)
2005 Belgium U18 1 (0)
2006–2017 Belgium 52 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Steven Arnold Defour (born 15 April 1988) is a Belgian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

In his senior career he played for Genk, Standard Liège, Porto, Anderlecht, Burnley, Antwerp and Mechelen, winning a total of nine honours with the second and third clubs.

Defour earned his first cap for Belgium in 2006, and represented the nation in the 2014 World Cup.

Club career[]

Racing Genk[]

Born in Mechelen, Defour played youth football with local K.V. Mechelen, moving to K.R.C. Genk in 2004 due to the club's financial difficulties. He made his Pro League debut during the 2004–05 season and, at just 17, became first choice, finishing the 2005–06 campaign with 26 games and one goal to help his team to the fifth position.

When Genk failed to qualify for European competition, Defour tried to move to AFC Ajax in the summer of 2006. Enraged by earlier reports that Ajax had approached the player to broker a deal without their consent, Genk did not accept the proposed transfer fee, and after protracted negotiations, Ajax pulled out of the deal. Defour tried to force a transfer by threatening to leave, using a Belgian law that allowed professional athletes on fixed-term contracts to leave their employers before the end of the stipulated term, but Ajax did not express a renewed interest in his services, and he ended up signing for Standard Liège for a much-reduced transfer fee, effectively breaking a gentlemen's agreement between Belgian sides not to sign under-contract players using the aforementioned law.[3][4][5]

Standard Liège[]

Defour joined Standard on a five-year deal,[6] being appointed team captain at the start of his second year after taking over from Portugal's Sérgio Conceição – he was just 19 years old.[7] He received the Belgian Golden Shoe at the end of the season in the process, leading the Reds to their first league title in 25 years.[8]

In late 2009, shortly after scoring four goals in 31 games to help Standard renew their domestic supremacy, Defour broke his right foot. During his period of recovery he received a letter from Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, wishing him all the best in his recovery,[9] and this led to persistent rumours of a switch to the English club, but he refuted these by saying "I do know that Manchester United are monitoring me – if everything goes well and I continue playing as I am, there is a better chance of me leaving than there was at the start of the season";[10] eventually, nothing came of it.

Porto[]

Defour playing for Porto in 2013

On 15 August 2011, Portuguese club FC Porto agreed with Standard Liége[11] to buy the sporting rights of Defour for €6 million, and he signed a five-year contract.[12][13] He finished his first year with 37 appearances all competitions comprised and added two goals,[14][15] helping his new team win the Primeira Liga championship.[16]

On 18 September 2012, Defour netted Porto's second goal against GNK Dinamo Zagreb in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League (2–0 away win).[17] On 13 March of the following year, for the same competition but in the round of 16, he was booked twice and subsequently sent off in the 49th minute of the second leg of the tie at Málaga CF, as the northerners lost 0–2 at La Rosaleda Stadium and 1–2 on aggregate.[18]

Anderlecht[]

On 13 August 2014, Defour signed a five-year deal with R.S.C. Anderlecht, for €6 million. On 25 January of the following year, when playing at Standard Liège, he was sent off for deliberately kicking the ball at home fans who had unfurled a banner depicting his severed head under the slogan "Red or Dead". His ejection caused the visiting supporters to rip out their seats and throw them onto the pitch,[19] and the banner received criticism from both the Royal Belgian Football Association and the league.[20]

Burnley[]

On 16 August 2016, Defour signed for Premier League club Burnley for a club-record transfer fee of £8 million.[21][22] He made his competitive debut four days later, starting in a 2–0 home win over Liverpool in which he helped create the second goal by Andre Gray but was substituted early in the second half due to a lack of fitness.[23] On 10 September, also at Turf Moor, he scored his first goal for his new team to open a 1–1 draw with fellow promotee Hull City, and was praised after the match by manager Sean Dyche.[24]

During his later spell, Defour was constantly bothered by injury problems.[25] On 31 August 2019, he had his contract terminated citing personal reasons.[26]

Later career[]

In September 2019, aged 31, Defour joined Royal Antwerp F.C. on a one-year deal.[27][28] On 16 October 2020, he returned to Mechelen 13 years after leaving the Achter de Kazerne, agreeing to a performance-oriented contract.[29]

Defour announced his retirement on 11 May 2021.[30]

International career[]

Defour lining-up for Belgium in 2011

Defour made his debut for the Belgian senior team in May 2006, aged just 18.[31] He scored his first goal on 6 September 2008, in a 3–2 win against Estonia at his club ground the Stade Maurice Dufrasne for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.[32]

Defour scored once in three appearances in qualification for the 2014 World Cup, opening a 2–0 win away to Scotland on 6 September 2013.[33] He was selected for the finals in Brazil by manager Marc Wilmots,[34] making his debut in the competition on 26 June in the third group stage match against South Korea after Belgium had already won their first two outings and sealed qualification, and was sent off in the last minute of the first half of the eventual 1–0 success after a rash tackle on Kim Shin-wook.[35]

On 25 May 2018, 30-year-old Defour announced his retirement from international football.[36]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of match played 6 November 2020[37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Genk 2004–05 Belgian First Division 4 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 4 0
2005–06 Belgian First Division 26 1 2 0 — 1[a] 0 — 29 1
Total 30 1 2 0 — 1 0 — 33 1
Standard Liège 2006–07 Belgian First Division 29 4 7 1 — 4[b] 0 — 40 5
2007–08 Belgian First Division 24 1 3 1 — 3[a] 0 — 30 2
2008–09[38] Belgian Pro League 33 4 1 0 — 10[c] 0 1[d] 0 45 4
2009–10[38] Belgian Pro League 13 1 0 0 — 3[e] 0 1[d] 0 17 1
2010–11[38] Belgian Pro League 27 3 5 0 — — — 32 3
2011–12[38] Belgian Pro League 1 0 — — — 0 0 1 0
Total 127 13 16 2 — 20 0 2 0 165 15
Porto 2011–12[38] Primeira Liga 24 1 2 1 3 0 8[f] 0 0 0 37 2
2012–13[38] Primeira Liga 25 2 2 0 5 1 7[g] 1 1[h] 0 40 4
2013–14[38] Primeira Liga 16 0 6 1 4 0 9[i] 0 1[h] 0 36 1
Total 65 3 10 2 12 1 24 1 2 0 113 7
Anderlecht 2014–15[38] Belgian Pro League 29 6 4 1 — 6[j] 0 — 39 7
2015–16[38] Belgian Pro League 32 2 1 1 — 9[e] 0 — 42 3
2016–17[38] Belgian First Division A 2 1 — — 2[g] 0 — 4 1
Total 63 9 5 2 — 17 0 — 85 11
Burnley 2016–17[38] Premier League 21 1 3 1 0 0 — — 24 2
2017–18[38] Premier League 24 1 0 0 1 0 — — 25 1
2018–19[38] Premier League 6 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 — 9 0
Total 51 2 5 1 2 0 0 0 — 58 3
Royal Antwerp 2019–20[38] Belgian First Division A 11 0 1 0 — — — 12 0
Mechelen 2020–21[38] Belgian First Division A 2 0 0 0 — — — 2 0
Career total 349 28 39 7 14 1 62 1 4 0 468 37
  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, eight in UEFA Cup
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  9. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, four in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Europa League

International[]

Appearances and goals by national team and year[39]
National team Year Apps Goals
Belgium 2006 3 0
2007 9 0
2008 6 1
2009 5 0
2010 4 0
2011 5 0
2012 5 0
2013 5 1
2014 6 0
2016 3 0
2017 1 0
Total 52 2

Belgium score listed first, score column indicates score after each Defour goal.[39]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 September 2008 Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium 15  Estonia 2–1 3–2 2010 World Cup qualification
2 6 September 2013 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 39  Scotland 1–0 2–0 2014 World Cup qualification

Honours[]

Defour (left) with Belgian teammates Kevin Mirallas (middle) and Marouane Fellaini before a friendly against the United States on 29 May 2013

Club[]

Standard Liège[38]

Porto[38]

Individual[]

References[]

  1. ^ "2017/18 Premier League clubs publish retained lists". Premier League. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Steven Defour". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Defour 'slachtoffer' van 33 jaar oude vete" [Defour 'victim' of 33-year-old feud]. Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 5 May 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Transfer Defour naar Ajax van de baan" [Defour's transfer to Ajax not happening] (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Steven Defour verbreekt contract bij Genk" [Steven Defour breaks contract with Genk]. Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). 16 June 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Standard neemt Steven Defour over" [Standard sign Steven Defour] (in Dutch). Voetbal België. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Conceição praat met Standard" [Conceição in talks with Standard]. De Standaard (in Dutch). 4 January 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Toma, Razvan. "Belgium – Player of the Year Awards". RSSSF. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  9. ^ Defour ready to make next step; ESPN Soccernet, 26 October 2010
  10. ^ Defour ready to make Manchester United move Archived 29 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine; Talksport, 26 October 2010
  11. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Comunicado" [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  13. ^ "FC Porto deal for Defour". ESPN Soccernet. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  14. ^ "FC Porto cumpriu e goleou Pêro Pinheiro" [FC Porto got job done and routed Pêro Pinheiro]. Público (in Portuguese). 15 October 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  15. ^ "No meio da tempestade, veio a bonança (5–0)" [Amid the storm, came the calm (5–0)]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 23 October 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  16. ^ "Dragão em branco na festa de apresentação" [Dragon drew a blank in presentation party] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  17. ^ Crossan, David (18 September 2012). "Porto extend Dinamo losing streak". UEFA. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  18. ^ Hunter, Graham (13 March 2013). "Santa Cruz sends Málaga into last eight". UEFA. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Anderlecht's Steven Defour sees red over Standard Liège fans' banner". The Guardian. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  20. ^ "Standard Liege: Steven Defour sent off after fans' horror banner". BBC Sport. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  21. ^ "Burnley: Defour joins the Clarets". Burnley F.C. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  22. ^ "Steven Defour: Burnley sign Belgium midfielder from Anderlecht". BBC Sport. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  23. ^ Smith, Jamie (20 August 2016). "Keane, Defour and Gray stand out as Burnley stun Liverpool". ESPN FC. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Defour is cheap as chips – Dyche". BBC Sport. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  25. ^ Copeland, Robbie (8 March 2019). "Steven Defour 'unlikely' to return this season after undergoing operation on persistent calf issue". 90 Minut. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  26. ^ "Steven Defour: Burnley midfielder's contract cancelled 'for personal reasons'". BBC Sport. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  27. ^ "Antwerp pakt uit met kwartet: Defour, Hoedt, Gano en Benson trekken naar de Bosuil" [Antwerp unveil four: Defour, Hoedt, Gano and Benson go to Bosuil] (in Dutch). Sporza. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Steven Defour: Ex-Burnley midfielder joins Royal Antwerp". BBC Sport. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  29. ^ Brisart, Axel (16 October 2020). "Steven Defour voorgesteld bij KV Mechelen: "Emotioneel de belangrijkste transfer uit mijn carrière"" [Steven Defour presented at KV Mechelen: "Emotionally the most important transfer of my career"]. Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Afscheid in mineur: Defour stopt er nu al mee door blessure aan quadriceps" [Dramatic goodbye: Defour retires after quadriceps injury]. Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 11 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  31. ^ "René Vandereycken roept negen debutanten op" [René Vandereycken calls up nine first-timers]. Het Belang van Limburg (in Dutch). 6 May 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  32. ^ "Defour a déjà marqué contre l'Estonie: "Ah bon? J'avais oublié"" [Defour already scored against Estonia: "Ah good? I had forgotten"] (in French). RTBF. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  33. ^ Lamont, Alasdair (6 September 2013). "Scotland 0–2 Belgium". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  34. ^ "Belgium World Cup 2014 squad". The Daily Telegraph. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  35. ^ "Koreans crash to ten-man Belgium". FIFA. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  36. ^ Marshall, Tyrone (25 May 2018). "Steven Defour to focus on Burnley after international retirement". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  37. ^ Steven Defour at ESPN FC
  38. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "S. Defour". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b "Steven Defour". European Football. Retrieved 18 August 2016.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""