Mathieu Bodmer

Mathieu Bodmer (born 22 November 1982 in Évreux, Normandy, France) is a France Normandy football (soccer) who currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais as a central midfielder.

Club career

Early career

Bodmer began his professional career at ALM Évreux at the age of fourteen (the 1997-1998 season). He soon moved to SM Caen, a club in the second division of French football, where he made his debut in 2000. He would play in 24 matches that season and by the end of the 2002-2003 season, he had played in 79 matches for the club, scoring a total of four goals. His hard-working performances helped Caen keep a mid-table position (they would achieve promotion to Ligue 1 the season after his departure), also earning him a €1 million transfer to Lille OSC in Ligue 1.

Lille

The 2003-2004 season served as an auspicious introduction to top league football, where he would play against the likes of Michael Essien. He earned 33 appearances for the first-team in his debut season, scoring two goals; however, the 2004-05 season was the most productive. Lille enjoyed a miraculous second-place finish (and a short-lived title challenge against Olympique Lyonnais, who earned their fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title that season), giving them a place in the UEFA Champions League. They were considered minnows in that competition, but Bodmer, as a holding midfielder, helped Lille achieve a hard-fought draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford (football).

His impressive performances earned the interest of Arsène Wenger, manager of Arsenal F.C], who had considered buying him in the spring (season) of 2005 , but he was rebuffed by Lille president Michel Seydoux. Periodically, he has been linked with other big-name clubs, including Manchester United. He did sign a contract extension at Lille in December 2005, extending his stay at the club until 2011.

Lyon

On June 14 2007, Lyon officially announced that they would be unveiling Kader Keïta and Bodmer to the media, the pair having already passed their medicals at the Stade Gerland. On June 16 2007, Lyon confirmed the signing of Bodmer from Lille for a Euro6.5m fee. Bodmer was given the number 5 shirt, previously worn by Caçapa. Bodmer made his Ligue 1 debut for Lyon in Lyon's Matchday 2 loss to Toulouse. He played the full 90 minutes. Bodmer scored his first goal on August 29, 2007 against Sochaux in Lyon's 2-1 win. It was the game winning goal.

International career

Bodmer has yet to be capped for France national football team despite his club performances although will probably be capped soon after his move to Olympique Lyon.

Sources