Sébastien Bassong

Sébastien Bassong (born 9 July, 1986 in Paris) is a France-Cameroonian Association football Defender (association football) who currently plays for English Premier League side Newcastle United F.C..

Biography

Bassong is a graduate of the famous Clairefontaine youth academy. It has a high reputation of producing some of the world's most gifted players, including the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Louis Saha, William Gallas and Thierry Henry.

Bassong is a left-footed centre back but who can also play as a left back. He plays at centre back for the France national under-21 football team.

In July 2008 he was offered a one week trial at Newcastle United, and made his debut in a pre-season friendly against Doncaster Rovers. Newcastle fans weren't expecting him to play in that game and were unaware as to who he was in the number 46 shirt. They made numerous songs and chants about him, one being "If 46 scores we're on the pitch".

On 29 July 2008 it was reported on the official FC Metz website that the club had come to an agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer of Bassong and that he would sign a contract very soon. The fee is believed to be around £1.5m.

On 30 July, 2008 it was confirmed that Newcastle United had agreed a fee with FC Metz for Bassong.

In total, Bassong made 87 appearances over three seasons for Metz. He made his professional debut for Newcastle on 26 August in a Football League Cup game away to Coventry City F.C., before making his first league game for Newcastle away to Arsenal F.C. when he came on as a sub for José Enrique Sánchez.