Timothée Atouba (born 17 February 1982) is a Cameroonian footballer who played as a left back.
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Timothée Atouba Essama | ||
Date of birth | (1982-02-17) 17 February 1982 (age 40) | ||
Place of birth | Douala, Cameroon | ||
Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
Position(s) | Left back | ||
Youth career | |||
1996–1999 | Union Douala | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1998–1999 | Mineduc | 24 | (11) |
1999–2000 | Union Douala | 16 | (4) |
2000–2002 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 46 | (2) |
2002–2004 | FC Basel | 72 | (3) |
2004–2005 | Tottenham Hotspur | 18 | (1) |
2005–2009 | Hamburger SV | 83 | (1) |
2009–2011 | Ajax | 1 | (0) |
2012–2014 | Las Palmas | 8 | (1) |
Total | 268 | (23) | |
National team | |||
1999–2008 | Cameroon[1] | 44 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Atouba went to Europe to play for Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax.[2]
Atouba signed for Tottenham Hotspur in August 2004.[3][4] Although he played promising games in his first few months at the club, scoring the only goal in a win at Newcastle United,[5] he finished the season as an occasional left-back. After only one year in London he was deemed surplus to requirements.
Atouba was transferred to Hamburger SV in July 2005.[6] In 2006, Atouba caused a stir after several rash challenges led to goals against his German club in the Champions League. After receiving some jeering from a disgruntled crowd he reacted by raising his middle finger to them, and asking to be substituted. Having been substituted he repeated his actions and then received a red card.[7][8] In the summer of 2009, Atouba's contract in Hamburg ended.
In July 2009, he moved to Amsterdam, where he was reunited with ex-HSV-coach Martin Jol. He joined AFC Ajax on a two-year deal.[9][10] After injury problems during 2009, Atouba lost his place in the first eleven to Ajax-youngster Vurnon Anita.
In May 2012, Atouba was invited to a trial by the MLS expansion team, the Montreal Impact.[11] In November 2012, the Spanish team UD Las Palmas confirmed the signing of Atouba until the end of season 2012–13.[12]
He was part of the Cameroonian 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished top of their group in the first round of competition, before failing to secure qualification for the semi-finals.
FC Basel[13]
Hamburger SV[13]
Ajax[13]
2004 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament | |
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Goalkeepers | |
Defenders | |
Midfielders | |
Forwards |
Cameroon squads | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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