sport.wikisort.org - Athlete

Nigel Alfred Steven Atangana (born 9 September 1989) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for National League club Eastleigh.

Nigel Atangana

Personal information
Full name	Nigel Alfred Steven Atangana[1]
Date of birth	(1989-09-09) 9 September 1989 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth	Corbeil-Essonnes, France
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team	Eastleigh
Number	4
Youth career
1998–2003	Bry FC
2003–2005	St-Quentin-en-Yvelines
2005–2007	FC Flerien
2007–2008	Caen
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2009	Avranches	10	(0)
2009–2011	Dives	14	(0)
2011–2012	Riudellots	32	(3)
2012–2013	Gravelines	21	(1)
2013–2014	Havant & Waterlooville	43	(5)
2014–2016	Portsmouth	43	(1)
2016–2017	Leyton Orient	58	(0)
2017–2019	Cheltenham Town	58	(3)
2019–2022	Exeter City	66	(2)
2022–	Eastleigh	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:21, 11 May 2022 (UTC)

Career

Early career

Born in Corbeil-Essonnes, Atangana made his senior debuts with US Avranches in CFA 2, after having trials at Luton Town, Gillingham, West Bromwich Albion and Grays Athletic.[3] After subsequently representing SU Dives,[4] he moved to Spain, joining Girona FC and being assigned to CF Riudellots, the club's farm team.[5] Atangana was called up to the main squad in Segunda División in November, but failed to appear with the club.

In the 2013 summer Atangana moved to US Gravelines Foot, also in France's fifth division. He appeared in 21 matches and scored once (the winner in a 2–1 home success against US Ailly-Sur-Somme on 1 December 2012).

Havant & Waterlooville

In September 2013, Atangana signed with Havant & Waterlooville.[6] He made his debut on the 30th, starting in a 1–1 FA Trophy draw against Gloucester City.[7]

Atangana made his league debut on 19 October, starting in a 0–0 draw against Dover Athletic.[8] He scored his first goal for Hawks on 11 January of the following year, the game's only in a home win against Ebbsfleet United.[9]

Atangana finished the season with 43 appearances and five goals, being named Havant & Waterlooville' Player of the Year.[10]

Portsmouth

On 19 June 2014, Atangana signed a two-year contract with League Two side Portsmouth, for an undisclosed fee.[11] He made his debut for the club on 9 August, coming on as a substitute for fellow debutant Craig Westcarr in a 1–1 away draw against Exeter City.

Atangana scored his first Pompey goal on 20 December, netting the equalizer in a 1–1 draw at Cheltenham Town. He appeared in 30 matches during the campaign, mainly due to the injury of starter James Dunne.

Leyton Orient

On 20 January 2016, Atangana joined Leyton Orient on an 18-month contract until the end of the 2016–17 season for an undisclosed fee. Atangana was given the number 15 upon arrival.[12]

Cheltenham Town

On 28 May 2017, Atangana signed a two-year contract with League Two side Cheltenham Town. He officially joined the Robins on 1 July 2017 when his contract with Leyton Orient came to an end.[13]

Exeter City

On 20 May 2019 he joined League Two team Exeter City Football Club after leaving Cheltenham Town following a long term Achilles injury. [14] Upon breaking into the side after recovering, he quickly became a fan favourite for his solid defensive play and his consistently high work rate, earning the fan-voted Player of the Month award for December. [15] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw at home to Hartlepool United in the FA Cup first round.[16] After the 2020-21 season, fans found out that he signed a three-year contract after Exeter's retained list stated he was under contract for the 2021-22 season.[17] Atangana made 19 appearances during, but was released at the end of the 2021–22 season following Exeter's promotion to League One.[18]

Eastleigh

On 2 August 2022, Atangana joined National League club Eastleigh.[19]

Personal life

Atangana is of Cameroonian descent.[20]

Career statistics

As of end of 2021–22 season

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Avranches	2008–09[21]	CFA 2	10	0	—						10	0
Dives	2009–10	CFA 2	11	0	—						11	0
	2010–11[22]		3	0	—						3	0
	Total		14	0	—						14	0
Riudellots	2011–12[23]	Segona Catalana	32	3	—						32	3
Gravelines	2012–13[24]	CFA 2	21	1	—						21	1
Havant & Waterlooville	2013–14[25][26]	Conference South	28	3	2	0	—		13[lower-alpha 1]	2	43	5
Portsmouth	2014–15[24]	League Two	30	1	2	0	1	0	2[lower-alpha 2]	0	35	1
	2015–16[24]		13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
	Total		43	1	2	0	1	0	2	0	48	1
Leyton Orient	2015–16[27]	League Two	29	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	29	0
	2016–17[28]		29	0	1	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	32	0
	Total		58	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	61	0
Cheltenham Town	2017–18[29]	League Two	32	1	0	0	2	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	35	1
	2018–19[30]		26	2	3	0	1	0	4[lower-alpha 2]	0	34	2
	Total		58	3	3	0	3	0	5	0	69	3
Exeter City	2019–20[31]	League Two	22	1	4	1	0	0	6[lower-alpha 3]	0	32	2
	2020–21[32]		28	0	2	0	1	0	2[lower-alpha 2]	2	33	2
	2021–22[33]		16	1	1	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	19	1
	Total		66	2	7	1	2	0	9	2	84	5
Career total			320	13	15	1	7	0	30	4	371	18

References

External links

• Nigel Atangana at FootballDatabase.eu
• Nigel Atangana at Soccerway
• Hat-Trick profile (in French)

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