Laurent Robert

Football player infobox
playername = Laurent Robert


fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1975|5|21
cityofbirth = Saint Benoit
countryofbirth = Reunion
height = height|m=1.73
currentclub = Larissa
clubnumber = 32
position = Left Winger
years = 1994-1999
1999-2001
2001-2006
2005
2006
2006-2007
2008
2008
2008-
clubs = Montpellier
Paris Saint-Germain
Newcastle United
→ Portsmouth (loan)
Benfica
Levante
Derby County
Toronto FC
Larissa
caps(goals) = 124 0(19)
061 0(24)
129 0(21)
017 00(1)
013 00(2)
013 00(0)
004 00(0)
017 00(1)
002 00(0)
nationalyears = 1999-2001
nationalteam = France
nationalcaps(goals) = 009 00(1)
pcupdate = October 4, 2008
ntupdate =

Laurent Robert (born May 21, 1975 in Saint Benoit, Reunion, French Overseas Departments) is a French left winger who currently plays for Larissa.

Club career

Robert started his career at Montpellier, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 1999. He made his debut for France shortly after, on August 18 1999, against Northern Ireland. In a Champions League match against Rosenborg in 2000 he set up six goals in a 7-2 win. Following a recall to the national team, Robert scored his first goal for France in a match against Turkey on November 15 2000.

Newcastle United

In 2001, he joined English club Newcastle United for a fee of £9.5 million. During his stay at the club, Robert was known for his pace and crossing ability, and was often called upon to take corners and free kicks. He had a tendency to shoot from long ranges in both open play and free kicks (scoring four goals in the 2004-05 campaign, all from set pieces) and has scored from almost convert|40|yd from goal - his powerful shot has been measured at around 75 mph. His stats for assists were very good and Bobby Robson stated this within the Newcastle United DVD season Review 2003-2004.

His penchant for spectacular goals was perhaps most notable during the 2003/04 season, particularly his goals against Tottenham and Fulham. His brace against Spurs consisted of a stunning first time volley on the turn, and a ferocius 35 yard pile driver from the left flank. His goal against Fulham saw him swing around acrobatically in mid air to back heel a cross into the bottom corner.

Robert's goal against Liverpool in the 2004/05 season at St James is used as the winner against the same team in Goal. Santiago Munez strikes it and it zooms out as Robert's free kick hits the top corner.In Goal 2 his overhead kick against Fulham is featured as a Santiago Munez's goal at the start.

Robert spent several seasons at the club, publicly falling out with Manager Graeme Souness. [ [http://www.4thegame.com/club/portsmouth-fc/player-profile/1539/laurentrobert.html Laurent Robert ] ] His public criticism of the latter, as well as the entire Newcastle squad, resulted in Newcastle's desire to offload the troubled winger following the 2004-05 season.

Portsmouth

Following his time at Newcastle United and a falling out with the club, Robert moved to fellow Premier League team Portsmouth in June 2005 in a unique deal which created much confusion within the press at the time. Unsure of whether the move to Portsmouth was on a permanent basis or a temporary loan move, it was later revealed by the two clubs that Robert was signed by Portsmouth on a year-long loan, with two additional years agreed following the completion of the loan. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/4092122.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Portsmouth | Pompey say Robert deal permanent ] ] The deal was created in order to expidite Robert's exit from St. James Park, while allowing Portsmouth to protect themselves from Robert's well-documented temperament. It was thought that Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin's French connection with Robert would allow the winger to revive his career on the south coast — this, however, would not occur.

In his time at Portsmouth, Robert scored only one goal, in a 2-1 away loss to West Bromwich Albion, and is most remembered by Portsmouth supporters for his refusal to sit on the bench for the club's 4-1 demolition of Sunderland, storming out of the ground despite the relegation-threatened club's position. [ [http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2529077,00.html Sky Sports | Football | Match Report | Sunderland v Portsmouth - 29th October 2005 ] ] The sacking of Perrin and return of manager Harry Redknapp meant a return for the final games of 2005 for Robert, but would shortly be followed by Robert's return to Newcastle after his unsuccessful stint. Newcastle would again look to offload the winger as soon as possible, and a move to Portugal would materialize.

L Benfica

It was not long before he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Ronald Koeman's Benfica side. Robert said: "This is a super club. To be able to play in the Champions League is fantastic and that's why I am here". He added: "They showed a lot of interest in me. I am very happy to be here."

Robert's first goal in the Portuguese Superliga was, not surprisingly, from a free-kick convert|40|yd away against arch-rivals FC Porto. A powerful but fairly central free kick was spilled into the net by the usually dependable Vitor Baia. However, his time at Benfica-despite their reputation for quality wingers-did not go well.

Levante

Laurent signed for Spanish La Liga side Levante UD on 11 July 2006 on a free transfer from Benfica. He played thirteen games before the season ended, twelve of those were incomplete (with one red card), scoring no goals.

Derby

Following a trial at Derby County , Laurent signed a contract that would run until the end of the season. Unfortunately in his time at Derby he failed to deliver any real quality to the team and was later released.

Toronto FC

MLS side Toronto FC announced on April 2, 2008 that they had signed Robert to a contract. [cite web |url=http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080402&content_id=147130&vkey=pr_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280| title=Toronto FC sign French MF Laurent Robert | author=Toronto FC | date=2008-04-02| accessdate=2008-04-02] He made his debut on April 5, 2008, against D.C. United in a 4-1 loss. Robert impressed, delivering a number of excellent set piece opportunities. Robert continued to impress in his team's second match against Los Angeles Galaxy, delivering a blazing free kick, from which the subsequent rebound was converted by Jarrod Smith on route to a 3-2 victory, Toronto's first of the 2008 season. On April 19 2008, Robert scored his only MLS goal on a free kick in the 31st minute of the first home game for Toronto FC against Real Salt Lake, and was named Man of the Match in a 1-0 victory for his squad. Robert's level of play declined considerably as the season progressed, and in his last game with the team he was pulled at half-time. He was waived by Toronto FC on August 19, 2008. [cite web |url=http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080819&content_id=181507&vkey=pr_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280| title=Toronto FC waives Laurent Robert | author=Toronto FC | date=2008-08-19| accessdate=2008-08-19]

Larissa FC

Super League Greece side Larissa FC announced on August 27 that they signed in Robert for 2 years, as a replacement for Nektarios Alexandrou who was released from his contract a few days before.

ee also

* List of current MLS players

References

External links

* [http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t280&player=robert_l&playerId=rob138606&statType=current Toronto FC Official Site Profile]
*soccerbase|id=19663|name=Laurent Robert
*lfpfr|101616