Sebastien Bassong

At 37 years old, Sebastien Bassong has this physical status:

Sébastien Aymar Bassong Nguena (born 9 July 1986) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender.

Personal life

Bassong's parents were from Cameroon, making him play for Cameroon. Bassong revealed he started playing football, quoting: "Naturally, like all the kids in the Parisian suburbs. When you live there, you play football as you go to school. This is the sport that can be practiced by going out on the street. So I started this way, it came without even asking me the question. Then, as I went, I enjoyed more and more." Bassong has four brothers and one sister. However, his parents did not applaud his son's exploits in football, as they wanted him to study. As a result, he balanced his football and studies and eventually earned his baccalaureate Es and studied marketing techniques. As Bassong grew older, he remained interested in football and his father was eventually give in and allowed him to play the sport. Growing up, he supported Paris Saint-Germain. In the interview with The Guardian, Bassong mentioned that he has two children.

When Bassong moved to Newcastle United, he began learning English quickly. By February 2009, Bassong has an excellent early grasp of the English language and lifestyle. Bassong also mentioned that he's a Christian and said that he reads the Bible every day.

In November 2012, Bassong was fined £1,000 for carrying a baton, which was described as "police-style", in his car. In May 2013, he made national headline when The Sun published pictures of Bassong holding a gun, which was posted on the internet. Afterwards, he apologised for his action and was fined by Norwich City. Three months later, Bassong spoke out in an interview about the incident.

In August 2017, Bassong was charged and found guilty for speeding at 110 mph at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court and was banned from driving for 40 days, fined £440 and told to pay court costs.

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Club career

Metz, a French immigrant, joined Bassong out of the Clairefontaine academy in Paris, France. He was promoted to the reserve side of the FC Metz youth team after progressing through the ranks of the youth team.

Bassong was drafted to the first team and made his professional debut for FC Metz, beginning the whole game against Strasbourg on August 23, 2005, preserving a clean sheet in a process. Bassong made his debut on the side in 2005-06 and made only a handful of first team appearances for the team. Bassong made twenty-four appearances in his first professional season at FC Metz. He was given his first professional deal after the 2005–06 season, which he ended with a three-year deal.

Bassong made his first appearance for FC Metz in the 2006–07 season, establishing himself in the defensive role. As the season progressed, he said he made progress in the first team. Bassong has been playing every match since the 2006–07 season, though he hasn't been able to attend one match due to international obligations. Since being recalled to the starting lineup, he helped the team keep five clean sheets between the 30th of March 2007 and the 2007-27th. Bassong was able to help the team beat Amiens 2–0 on April 20 to secure their position in Ligue 1 next season after being relegated in the previous season. In a 2–1 loss against Strasbourg on May 18, Bassong scored his first professional goal for the team. He made thirty-eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions during the 2006–07 season.

Bassong was also out of the season in 2007–08 due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the pre-season. In a 5–1 loss to Lyon on September 15, it wasn't until he returned to the team's starting line on September 15th. Bassong was soon out of work with suspension and another injury midway through the 2007–08 season. Bassong made twenty-four appearances in all competitions at the end of the 2007–08 season, which saw FC Metz relegated once more.

Bassong played seventy-nine times and scoring once in the French second class during his three years with FC Metz.

Bassong was given a one-week trial with Newcastle United in July 2008, marking his debut in a pre-season friendly against Doncaster Rovers. Newcastle had agreed a fee of £500,000 with Metz for Bassong on July 30, which was confirmed.

Bassong made his professional debut for Newcastle on August 26, 2008, in a League Cup match away from Coventry City, before playing his first league game for Newcastle against Arsenal five days later, when he came on as a replacement for José Enrique. Bassong made a few first team appearances for the club since joining the team, playing in a left-back role. Despite the club's mediocrities in the league, manager Joe Kinnear lauded his results. Bassong regained control after José Enrique's return to the team, landing in the center-back position. However, he was not issued his first red card for the club against Wigan Athletic on December 26, 2008. Bassong returned from suspension to his first team appearance after suffering from a groin injury and then being sent-off once more on May 16th, the season's first home defeat to Fulham. Bassong made thirty-four appearances in all competitions during his first season at Newcastle United.

Bassong was voted Newcastle Player of the Season for 2008-09. He was voted by the club's supporters as the best signing this season. Bassong expressed his desire to leave the club following Newcastle's promotion to the Championship, and Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur were all linked. However, the club was keen on selling him for £15 million. Bassong expressed his desire to leave the club in July 2009, but he later cited "shambolic political situation at the club, with no manager or owner in place, and pre-season is underway." Bassong was fined by Newcastle United for not traveling with the squad during the club's pre-season tour.

Spurs revealed on August 6, 2009, he had passed a medical at Spurs, completing a five-year contract and completing a £8 million transfer to the North London club on the same day. Newcastle United have previously refused a £10 million loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

In a 2–1 win over Liverpool, Bassong scored on his debut for the club, bringing the winner from a free kick cross from teammate Luka Modria in the 59th minute. He suffered a concussion "after falling awkwardly in a collision with Nicolas Anelka" and had to be replaced after losing 3–0 against Chelsea on September 22, 2009, and was forced to be replaced. Bassong's case was made "all clear," allowing him to return to the starting lineup for the team. He started in every match since the start of the season, but Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King were unable to play in one match until November after suffering from a hamstring injury. Bassong continued to play for his first team position after recovering from a hamstring injury, both in and out of the club's starting lineup. Bassong made thirty-eight appearances and scoring once in all leagues at the end of the 2009–2010 season.

Bassong scored Spurs' first goal in a 3–2 losing effort to Swiss club Young Boys in the start of Tottenham's 2010-11 Champions League campaign. However, he didn't start or make the bench for the second leg in which Spurs beat 4–0 (6–3 on aggregate), sending Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League group stage. Bassong fouled Samir Nasri in the penalty box on September 22, 2010, which Nasri, himself, converted the foul, and after the match, he said, "I touched his chest but I didn't grab him." He went down too quickly. I told him later that I just barely touched him." Bassong, on the other hand, found himself behind the pecking order in the center-backs and found himself in the substitute bench and cover role throughout the season. Bassong made 12 league appearances during the season during the 2010-11 season, with one league goal away at Birmingham City on December 4, 2010.

Bassong expressed his desire to leave Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the 2011–12 season, citing a lack of first-team opportunities at the club. During the summer transfer window, he was linked to Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers, but he stayed at Tottenham Hotspur. However, he continued to fall behind the pecking order in the centre-backs. Despite this, Bassong captained the team against Rubin Kazan for the first time in the UEFA Europa League, winning 1–0. Tottenham Hotspur lost 1–0 in the next match against Rubin Kazan on November 3rd. He was at fault for giving away a free kick that resulted in a goal from the opposition team. Bassong made thirteen appearances for Tottenham Hotspur this season by the time he returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the remainder of the 2011-12 season.

Bassong joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan until the 2011-12 season. He said he joined Wolverham Wanderers because of first team football.

In the 2–1 win over QPR, he made his Wolves debut, playing the full 90 minutes. After suffering a hamstring injury, he returned to the playing lineup and played in a number of games in the first team before being disqualified in the first half, which led to a 3–0 loss to Arsenal. However, his loan spell with Wolves did not stop the club from being relegated following a 2–0 home loss to Manchester City. Bassong made nine appearances for the team and returned to his parent club at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Bassong signed with Norwich City for an undisclosed fee on August 21, 2012. This transaction brought him right back to Chris Hughton, who was a student at Newcastle.

In a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road, Bassong made his Canaries debut against Queens Park Rangers. Since joining Norwich City, he quickly became a first team regular for the team, establishing himself in the center-back role. He started in the first four league matches before he suffered an injury against Newcastle United in the first minute of the first half as Norwich City defeated 1–0. He wasn't until October 6, 2012, that he returned to the first team in a 4–1 loss against Chelsea, that it wasn't until then. Bassong helped the team keep three clean sheets, winning two out of three matches out of three. Bassong scored his first goal for Norwich, a 90th-minute equalizer away from Everton in a follow-up match. He was abused by Everton supporters during the game, prompting Norwich City to report the abuse to the police. He scored once more at the start of December to help Norwich beat Sunderland by three points and 2–1. On December 8, 2012, he scored his third goal for Norwich City at Swansea City. Bassong was selected to the Sky Sports' Team of the Week for his efforts. During the match, he was again subjected to racial abuse from Swansea City supporters, leading Norwich City to announce the abuse to the police for the second time and investigating four separate instances of suspected or suspected racist violence that resulted in arrests. In May 2013, charges against a Swansea City supporter were dropped. Bassong continued to play in the first team for the remainder of the season despite recovering from injuries later in the season. He appeared in thirty-five appearances and scoring three times in all leagues at the end of the 2012–13 season. Bassong was named Norwich City's Player of the Season for 2012-2013, winning the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy on May 17th. He became the first celebrity from outside the United Kingdom to win the prestigious award.

Bassong was named as the team's captain ahead of the 2013–14 season on August 10, 2013, after Grant Holt's departure. Bassong did not get off the 2013–14 Premier League season because of an injury right before the start of pre-season. To get back to match fitness, he participated in developmental games and a League Cup match against Bury. After losing the Saints 1–0 on August 31, he returned against Southampton and helped the team keep a clean sheet. Bassong regained his first team position after returning from injury, establishing himself in the center-back position. However, he was the captain of Norwich City's 7–0 loss in the match against Manchester City on November 2, 2013, causing him to be pushed to the bench for the next match. Bassong played in the starting lineup for Norwich City, without the captaincy, where he helped the team defeat Crystal Palace 1–0 on November 30, 2013. He renewed his deal with the club on December 12nd 2013 and will keep him until 2016. Bassong returned as the club's captain against Swansea City, where he committed a mistake that resulted in Nathan Dyer's injury, winning the game 1–1. His results in a number of games in the 2013–14 season became the subject of immediate criticism from the club's supporters and pundits. As a result, he was suspended from the first team for the remainder of the season. Norwich, on the other hand, was relegated the same year as Cardiff City and Fulham. This was his third time he was relegated from the Premier League with a new team. Bassong made thirty appearances in all competitions from 2013 to 2014.

Bassong was criticized by new Manager Neil Adams to fight for his first team position in the 2014–15 season. Bassong converted the number shirt to thirty. However, he fell out of favour with the first team by manager Neil Adams at the start of the 2014–15 season. Bassong's loan spell at Watford came to an end, and boss Alex Neil gave him a chance to return to the first team. In a 0–0 draw against Birmingham City on January 30, he returned to the first team on January 30, keeping a clean sheet. Bassong got off the field against Watford on February 21, 2015, the team he was loaned during the season, winning by 3–0. He regained his first team spot for the remainder of the season after returning to Norwich City. Since returning from a loan spell at Watford and playing a role in the Championship play-offs, Norwich City has been lauded. He started the whole game in the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough, beating Norwich City 2–0 to guarantee promotion to play in Premier League football next season. He lauded Manager Neil for giving him his first team chance after returning from injury. Bassong made thirty-two appearances in all competitions during the 2014–15 season.

Bassong was given a number six shirt ahead of the 2015–16 season. He also signed a contract extension, extending his employment until 2017. Bassong made his first team appearance for the team since the 2015–16 season, establishing himself in the center-back position. Bassong praised him for restoring his football career from the start of the 2015–16 season, having played his first team football under Alex Neil's leadership since the 2015–16 season. He appeared on two clean sheets in two matches between December 28th, 2015, and January 2nd, 2016. Bassong scored his first goal for the club in more than three years in a 5-4 victory over Liverpool on January 23, 2016. He played in every match for the team until he had a fitness issue. Bassong spent the remainder of the 2015–16 season on the back of a season with Timm Klose and Ryan Bennett, who saw him on the substitute bench. Norwich City was relegated to the Football League Championship for the second time in two years, and Bassong made history by registering six relegations in a decade.

Bassong was expected to leave the club ahead of the 2016-2017 season because he had one year remaining on his deal. He found himself in the substitution bench and found his playing time reduced at the start of the 2016–17 season. In a 6–1 victory over Coventry City in the second round of the EFL Cup, his first appearance of the 2016–17 season came on August 23, 2016. He captained the team against Everton, who defeated 2–0 for the first time this season. Bassong had a string of first team football from mid-November to late-December, notably playing in the center-back position. He made thirteen appearances in all competitions from the 2016–17 season.

Bassong was one of seven players to be cut by Norwich City after the 2016–17 Championship season on May 2nd. He became Norwich City's fan favorite as a result of his "strong, quick, a great organ."

Bassong was loaned to Watford, a Championship rival, as well as notable signing Odion Ighalo.

In a 3–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on October 18, Bassong made his Watford debut and watched the whole game. Since making his debut, he was quickly recruited into first team football, playing eleven times for the team. Bassong returned to Norwich in the January window despite two injuries while at Watford. Bassong earned both medals at Watford and Norwich City after his loan spell with Watford came to an end.

Bassong was released by Norwich City in the 2017-18 season as a free agent, playing in preparations and tying for a move to Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City. Bassong signed a short-term contract with Peterborough United in October 2018 after spending 18 months as a free agent.

In a 2–1 victory over Luton Town in the EFL Trophy season, Bassong made his Peterborough United debut, starting the whole game. However, this will be his first appearance for the club as he tried to recover from his knee injury as well as competition. Bassong is expected to leave Peterborough United by the end of January, according to a press release on January 11th.

Volos signed Bassong on a one-year deal, according to the company on July 24th. He was given the number four shirt when he first joined the team.

In a 2–1 victory over Panionios in the season's first game, Bassong made his Volos debut by starting the whole game. Nevertheless, his time at the club was plagued with injuries until he was released by Volos in December. Bassong made three appearances for the team by the time he left Volos.

He appeared in a pre-season friendly for Haringey Borough, Isthmian League team Haringey Borough, in September 2019.

International career

Bassong was a defensive midfielder for the France under-21 national team, competing in two games against the Netherlands and Japan in the summer of 2007, before moving to Newcastle.

Bassong said in an interview that if he were called up to the Cameroon squad, he would accept the call. Due to his inability to play in a national under-21 match for France, he is eligible for Cameroon. He was called up by the Cameroon national team against Morocco on May 25, 2009, and he made his national team debut against Austria on August 12th.

Bassong and his late Tottenham teammate Benoît Assou-Ekotto were selected for the 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa. He wears the number 5 jersey for Cameroon on a daily basis. He appeared in the World Cup for two times as Cameroon were eliminated in the Group Stage, and Cameroon was disqualified in the Group Stage. Bassong made three more appearances by the end of the tournament by the end of 2010.

Bassong was called up to the national team after almost two years absence, with him on the national team as an unreserved replacement against Togo on March 23r 2013. It wasn't until he made his first appearances for Cameroon in four years, he appeared as a late replacement in a 1–0 victory over Gambia on September 6, 2015, that he had to stop them. Bassong's first appearance in four years came as the national team defeated Nigeria 3–0 on October 11, 2015.

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