David Sommeil
Encyclopedia
David Sommeil is a retired French
footballer who last played as a defender
for Ligue 1
club Valenciennes
.
, making his professional debut on February 8, 1994 against Le Havre AC
. He subsequently played for Rennes
before coming to prominence with Bordeaux
, where he was capped by France
at 'B' level.
Sommeil was signed by Kevin Keegan
for Manchester City
in January 2003, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of £
3.5 million. Despite an initial run of first team games and being the first Manchester City player to score a league goal at the City of Manchester Stadium
in the opening home game of the 2003-04 season, Sommeil lost his place in January and had limited playing for the next two seasons.
In February 2004, he joined Olympique Marseille
on loan, in a deal that brought Daniel Van Buyten to England on loan in exchange. He returned to City for the start of the 2004/05 season but was dogged by injuries during the season and only managed two appearances. Sommeil played in just 16 games in 2005-06, partly due to a fractured cheek bone, forcing him to wear a protective mask on his return, and also due to a three games ban for a challenge on Spurs'
Lee Young-Pyo
.
Out of contract in May 2006, after less than 50 games for City, he was one of ten players released by Manchester City, but made a quick return to the Premiership when he signed a two-year contract with newly-promoted Sheffield United on May 24, 2006. Sommeil made just five Premier League appearances for The Blades
following his move from Manchester City. On 19 July 2007, Sommeil left Sheffield United and signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1
outfit Valenciennes
.
Sommeil has experience of European competition having played 18 games in the UEFA Cup for Bordeaux (14 games) and Manchester City (4 games).
During a training session on the 20th of August 2008 with his club Valenciennes FC
David suffered a suspected heart attack. The 34-year-old player collapsed during the session but his exact condition was not immediately known. After six days in a coma he regained consciousness but was still to recover his speech. By October 9, Sommeil had regained the ability to speak and use both of his arms, and was able to walk again, his condition "improving".
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
footballer who last played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
club Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
.
Football career
Sommeil started his career with non-league Saint-Lo before turning professional with SM CaenSM Caen
Stade Malherbe Caen is a professional French football team, playing in the city of Caen, Normandy. The club was founded on 17 November 1913 following the merger of Club Malherbe Caennais and Club Sportif Caennais...
, making his professional debut on February 8, 1994 against Le Havre AC
Le Havre AC
Le Havre Athletic Club Football Association is a French association football club based in Le Havre. The club was founded originally as an athletics and rugby club in 1872, thus making it the oldest association football and rugby club registered in France...
. He subsequently played for Rennes
Stade Rennais FC
Stade Rennais Football Club is a French association football club based in Rennes. The club was founded in 1901 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Rennes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Route de Lorient located within the city...
before coming to prominence with Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
, where he was capped by France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
at 'B' level.
Sommeil was signed by Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in January 2003, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
3.5 million. Despite an initial run of first team games and being the first Manchester City player to score a league goal at the City of Manchester Stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
in the opening home game of the 2003-04 season, Sommeil lost his place in January and had limited playing for the next two seasons.
In February 2004, he joined Olympique Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
on loan, in a deal that brought Daniel Van Buyten to England on loan in exchange. He returned to City for the start of the 2004/05 season but was dogged by injuries during the season and only managed two appearances. Sommeil played in just 16 games in 2005-06, partly due to a fractured cheek bone, forcing him to wear a protective mask on his return, and also due to a three games ban for a challenge on Spurs'
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
Lee Young-Pyo
Lee Young-Pyo
Lee Young-Pyo is a South Korean football player. Lee is recognized for his speed and dribbling skills. His former manager Martin Jol once called him "the best left-back in Holland"....
.
Out of contract in May 2006, after less than 50 games for City, he was one of ten players released by Manchester City, but made a quick return to the Premiership when he signed a two-year contract with newly-promoted Sheffield United on May 24, 2006. Sommeil made just five Premier League appearances for The Blades
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
following his move from Manchester City. On 19 July 2007, Sommeil left Sheffield United and signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
outfit Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
.
Sommeil has experience of European competition having played 18 games in the UEFA Cup for Bordeaux (14 games) and Manchester City (4 games).
During a training session on the 20th of August 2008 with his club Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
David suffered a suspected heart attack. The 34-year-old player collapsed during the session but his exact condition was not immediately known. After six days in a coma he regained consciousness but was still to recover his speech. By October 9, Sommeil had regained the ability to speak and use both of his arms, and was able to walk again, his condition "improving".