Stephan Lichtsteiner ( german pronunciation : [ lɪçtʃtaɪnər ] ; born 6 October 1984 ) is a swiss former professional football player. [ 4 ] An attacking right-back or wing-back, he was known for his energetic runs down the right wing, angstrom well as his stamina and athleticism, which earned him the nicknames “ Forrest Gump “ and “ The Swiss Express “. [ 5 ] He began his professional career with Grasshopper, winning a league title in 2002–03, and moved to Lille in 2005, helping the french club to Champions League qualification in his first season with the team. In 2008, he joined italian club Lazio, and won both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana the take after year. In 2011, he signed for Juventus for a fee of €10 million. He played 257 total games for the Turin side over seven years and won 14 trophies, including the Serie A title in each of his seasons with the team. In the summer of 2018, he was signed by Premier League side Arsenal, where he spent a season before moving to german club Augsburg the follow summer. Lichsteiner announced his retirement from football after a season at the clubhouse.
Reading: Stephan Lichtsteiner
A full moon international from 2006 to 2019, Lichtsteiner earned over 100 caps for Switzerland, making him their third base most capped musician of all time. He represented his state at two UEFA european Championships and three FIFA World Cups. In 2015, he was named swiss Footballer of the class. He is presently on the board of directors of HC Lugano. [ 6 ]
early years [edit ]
Lichtsteiner was born in Adligenswil, Canton of Lucerne and played for the local football golf club. He left home as a adolescent to play for Grasshopper Zürich. While living in Zürich he completed a banking apprenticeship with Credit Suisse but ultimately chose a career in football. [ 7 ]
Club career [edit ]
Grasshopper [edit ]
Lichtsteiner made his foremost team debut with Grasshopper Zürich during the 2001–02 season in the former Nationalliga A ( now the swiss Super League ) but only made one league appearance. The take after season, he began to establish himself as a first team regular and helped the club to the league title. [ 7 ]
Lille [edit ]
During the 2004–05 season Lichtsteiner sealed a transfer to french side Lille OSC as one of five swiss players to enter Ligue 1 during the summer of 2005. He became a regular in his inaugural season and helped Lille to a third-place ending to secure a Champions League spot. His last temper ended disappointingly as Lille finished seventh in the league and missed out on european football adjacent season precisely by a indicate. however he did end with 4 goals, his highest match therefore far. [ 8 ]
latium [edit ]
After some beneficial performances at UEFA Euro 2008, respective clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Everton, expressed concern in signing Lichtsteiner. [ 9 ] He rejected PSG ‘s command and, in July, signed a four-year sign with italian side S.S. Lazio for an undisclosed tip believed to be in the region of €1.5 million [ 10 ] as a successor for mate swiss international Valon Behrami, who went to West Ham United. [ 11 ] In the April Derby della Capitale against cross-city rivals Roma, he scored his beginning finish to put Lazio 3–1 up in a heat bowler hat meet, which ended in a 4–2 win to Lazio, and resulted in numerous bookings. [ 12 ] Lichtsteiner himself was besides booked for a heat confrontation with Roma defender Christian Panucci, after the italian had fouled him. [ 13 ] During the temper, Lichtsteiner formed an attack tandem down the flanks with serbian international full-back Aleksandar Kolarov on the early side of the pitch. Although Lazio finished one-tenth, they ended the season on a high gear by winning the Coppa Italia, and frankincense earning a station in the UEFA Europa League the future season. He played a depart in Lazio ‘s successful political campaign, scoring in the penalty shoot-out against Sampdoria in the concluding, and besides claimed the Supercoppa Italiana at the begin of the adjacent season. After Kolarov ‘s deviation, his future at Lazio became increasingly in doubt, as several clubs expressed interest in him. At the end of the 2010–11 temper, he opted not to see out the final year of his contract, despite the Biancocelesti qualify for the Europa League. [ 14 ]
Juventus [edit ]
Lichtsteiner playing for Juventus in December 2013 On 27 June 2011, Juventus confirmed that Lichtsteiner had undergone a medical in Turin and reached an agreement with Lazio to pay €10 million in three installments. [ 15 ] The transfer was confirmed on 1 July 2011. He marked his debut on 11 September 2011 against Parma by scoring the first gear goal in the 4–1 home plate victory, the first league goal to be scored in Juventus ‘ fresh stadium. [ 16 ] Juventus went on to win the Scudetto and he played a vital part in their potent defensive record, alone missing a handful of matches through injury and suspensions. [ 5 ] Lichtsteiner repeated his unfold matchday feat the following season by converting his left-sided counterpart Kwadwo Asamoah ‘s pass in the 2–0 gain. [ 17 ] He played fewer matches during 2013–14 temper due to injuries but contributed three goals in all competitions and won his third base consecutive Serie A title. His intersect and ball-playing ability from the right flank, ampere well as his ability to make attacking runs to get on the end of Andrea Pirlo ‘s farseeing passes, came to the bow as a right-sided wing-back in Conte ‘s 3–5–2 formation. [ 18 ] As a solution, he finished the season as Juventus ‘s top assist-maker in the league, aboard Paul Pogba, with eight. [ 19 ] [ 20 ] On 6 June 2015, Lichtsteiner started for Juventus in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final as the team were defeated 3–1 by Barcelona at Berlin ‘s Olympiastadion ; he was involved in Álvaro Morata ‘s temp equalize finish. [ 21 ] On 23 September 2015, Lichtsteiner was substituted at one-half time during a league match against Frosinone ascribable to breathing difficulty. It was late necessary for heart operation to be performed to correct cardiac cardiac arrhythmia, which caused him to be out for a calendar month. [ 22 ] On 3 November 2015, Lichtsteiner returned from injury, starting against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 2015–16 Champions League and scoring the equalizing goal in the 44th minute of a 1–1 away describe ; [ 23 ] the goal was former vote one of the best goals of the tournament that season. [ 24 ] At the beginning of the 2016–17 season, Lichtsteiner was excluded from Juventus ‘s squad for the UEFA Champions League group phase ; [ 25 ] this was due to the fact that the club had signed rightback Dani Alves, and had already filled their police squad quota, as Juventus were besides required to have four clubhouse young person products in the 25-men team, even though initially the lone former young product in the first team was Claudio Marchisio. Thus, Lichtsteiner was excluded to make direction for other players. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] Juventus had besides re-signed Juan Cuadrado on loan, which meant that Lichsteiner would face competition for the starting correct fullback/wingback/winger position, leading to rumours that he would be leaving the cabaret ; however, he late stated that he would be remaining with Juventus. [ 28 ] [ 29 ] Despite contest for a depart topographic point, Lichtsteiner took part in the 2016 Supercoppa Italiana on 23 December 2016, as one of the starting eleven, as Juventus lost to Milan on penalties. [ 30 ] On 2 February 2017, Lichsteiner renewed his sign until 30 June 2018. [ 31 ] On 7 March 2018, Lichtsteiner made his 250th appearance for Juventus in a 2–1 succeed over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium, in the second leg of the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, coming off the bench in the second half to help create Gonzalo Higuaín ‘s finish. [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] He made his two-hundredth Serie A appearance with the golf club in a 3–1 home succeed over Bologna on 5 May, after which he announced that he would be leaving the cabaret at the end of the season. [ 35 ] On 19 May, Lichtsteiner made his 257th and final appearance for Juventus in the last match of the season in a 2–1 home acquire over Verona as the baseball club celebrated winning their one-seventh consecutive league style ; during the lapp match, he missed a punishment, and was given a kickoff subsequently during the game when he came off, despite Juventus having already made all three substitutions. [ 36 ]
arsenal [edit ]
On 5 June 2018, Lichtsteiner signed for Arsenal on a free transplant. [ 37 ] He made his armory debut on 12 August, coming on as a utility in the 35th hour for the injured Ainsley Maitland-Niles in an eventual 2–0 home get the better of to Manchester City. [ 38 ] On 31 October, Lichtsteiner scored his only goal for Arsenal in the first half of a 2–1 family gain over Blackpool in the fourth polish of the 2018–19 EFL Cup. [ 39 ] On 3 June 2019, it was announced that Lichtsteiner would leave Arsenal after fair one season at the club. [ 40 ]
FC Augsburg [edit ]
On 19 August 2019, Bundesliga side FC Augsburg announced the bless of Lichtsteiner on a free remove for the 2019–20 season. [ 41 ] He made his debut five days subsequently in a 1–1 home draw with 1. FC Union Berlin, becoming the club ‘s oldest always musician at 36 years and six months. [ 42 ] On 12 August 2020, Lichtsteiner announced that he would retire from football. [ 43 ]
International career [edit ]
Lichtsteiner defending against Sergio Agüero of Argentina in a 2012 friendly match
Read more: Sevilla FC
A former young person international, Lichtsteiner played in the 1999 U16 and the 2004 U21 european Championships. He was first gear called up to the aged police squad on two occasions in 2005 but was an unused alternate both times. On 11 November 2006, he made his senior debut in a friendly against Brazil which ended in a 2–1 loss. Although he missed out on the 2006 World Cup, Lichtsteiner was given a casual to prove himself as beginning choice justly back Philipp Degen was out with long-run injury. [ 44 ] In May, Köbi Kuhn named him in the police squad for the Euro 2008. He played every match at the tournament and finally replaced Degen as foremost choice right back. Switzerland ended the tournament with two losses and a gain. He retained his starting put under new coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and played every moment in 8 of the 10 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Lichtsteiner played seven games in UEFA Euro 2012 qualify, with the swiss failing to reach the finals in Poland and Ukraine. He scored his first gear external goal on 11 October 2010 in the final game, a 2–0 succeed over Montenegro in Basel. [ 45 ] In 2014 FIFA World Cup reservation, he played eight full matches in a successful campaign, scoring two first-half goals on 6 September 2013 in a 4–4 draw with Iceland at the Stade de Suisse. [ 46 ] Manager Vladimir Petković named him in the 23-man team for the finals in Brazil, [ 47 ] where he played every moment in a run to the last 16. ascribable to injury to regular captain Gökhan Inler, Lichtsteiner wore the swiss armband for the beginning clock time on 14 October 2014 in his 70th match, a 4–0 away win over San Marino in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying. [ 48 ] Prior to the finals in France Lichtsteiner was made permanent captain as Inler was dropped ascribable to lack of playing clock at cabaret level. [ 49 ] The swiss made it out of the group stage and faced Poland in the Round of 16. With the score at 1–1, the match was decided by penalties, and Lichtsteiner took first and scored but the swiss baffled as Granit Xhaka missed. [ 50 ] In 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Lichtsteiner scored in home wins over the Faroe Islands, Andorra and Hungary, as the swiss qualified through the play-offs. [ 51 ] [ 52 ] [ 53 ] He was named in Petković ‘s 23-man police squad for the finals in Russia. [ 54 ] On 8 June, in the final examination warm-up game against Japan, he became the fourth swiss to earn 100 external caps in the 2–0 victory. [ 55 ] He was fined 5,000 swiss francs after the 2–1 group succeed over Serbia for joining Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka in their controversial goal celebrations and subsequently defended their actions. [ 56 ]
style of play [edit ]
A dynamic, hard-working, consistent, and versatile defender, Lichtsteiner was capable of playing anywhere along the right flank, and had been deployed as an attacking full-back or wing-back in a four-man back-line, or besides as winger in a 3–5–2 formation. Although he predominantly played on the proper, he was besides used on the leave flank on juncture, or even as a improvised centre-back. A quick, physically solid, coherent, and tactically healthy player, he was known for his energetic runs up and down the wing, which enabled him to exploit spaces and get on the end of long balls, frankincense enabling him to help out at both ends of the pitch and cover the right flank effectively. His stamen, commitment and athleticism earned him the nicknames “ Forrest Gump “ and “ The Swiss Express “. [ 5 ] [ 57 ] [ 58 ] Although not particularly adept from a technical point of view, Lichsteiner was able of linking up with teammates and making attacking runs to get on the end of passes, which enabled him to get into positions from which he could create chances for strikers with crosses from the touchline, or evening score goals himself ; while he was chiefly regarded for his offensive contribution, he was besides known for being authentic defensively. however, at times Lichsteiner besides drew criticism in the media for lacking composure under pressure, being excessively foolhardy and aggressive in his challenges, and prone to defensive errors, adenine well as for being inconsistent in his ford and distribution from the right wing. [ 18 ] [ 59 ] [ 60 ] [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] [ 64 ] Lichtsteiner has been described by former FIFA referee Jonas Eriksson as the most disagreeable player he has met. According to Eriksson, Lichtsteiner “ is angry and crabbed. I try to explain, I try to be humble, but he ‘s hard to make contact with. It creates a bad atmosphere. ” [ 65 ]
personal biography [edit ]
Lichtsteiner is married to Manuela Markworth, an economist and fitness teacher. They have a daughter [ 66 ] [ 67 ] and a son. [ 68 ] Lichtsteiner acquired the nickname “ Forrest Gump “ from Lazio-supporting Radio Sei observer Guido de Angelis after making a run down his flank to score in the 4–2 bowler hat victory over crosstown rivals A.S. Roma. [ 69 ] His runs and athleticism has besides earned him the nickname “ The Swiss Express ” since moving to Juventus. [ 5 ]
career statistics [edit ]
club [edit ]
International [edit ]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[70][72]
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Switzerland
2006
1
0
2007
7
0
2008
11
0
2009
6
0
2010
11
0
2011
9
1
2012
9
1
2013
6
2
2014
11
1
2015
8
0
2016
9
1
2017
8
2
2018
8
0
2019
4
0
Total
108
8
International goals [edit ]
Switzerland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lichtsteiner’s goal. [ 70 ]
Honours [edit ]
Grasshopper [ 70 ]
Lazio [ 70 ]
Juventus [ 70 ]
Arsenal
Read more: Real Sociedad
Individual