Laurent Batlles
Encyclopedia
Laurent Batlles is a French
footballer who plays for AS Saint-Étienne
as a midfielder
.
academy into the senior squad, playing his first game in the top division
against Olympique Lyonnais
, on 2 April 1994, a 0–1 defeat.
In 1999, Batlles joined FC Girondins de Bordeaux
after scoring 10 goals in 159 games. At Girondins, he played exactly half of the 1999–2000 season, adding eight games in Bordeaux's UEFA Champions League
campaign, scoring one goal. The following season he scored three in 32 appearances, appearing in 19 league games - with six goals - in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, before completing that campaign with Stade Rennais, where he scored twice in 13 games.
In January 2003, Batlles moved to Corsica
and SC Bastia
. He played in the remaining 19 games for his new club, a figure he repeated in the first half of 2003–04, without scoring, before joining Olympique de Marseille
, in another January transfer window move.
In one 1/2 seasons with l'OM, Batlles scored three goals in 15 games and played in eight of the team's UEFA Cup matches, which included the final
, lost 2–0 to Valencia CF
. The following season, he scored eight goals in 30 matches. After starting 2005–06 at Marseille (four appearances), he rejoined Toulouse, initially on loan, only missing three games throughout the campaign, as the team barely avoided relegation.
Battles joined permanently in 2006–07, after a successful loan spell, although he had a link to Marseille until June 2008. Again, he was an undisputed starter (31 matches and four goals), as Toulouse finished third in the league and reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League, eventually bowing out to Liverpool
.
In 2008–09, 33-year old Batlles joined newly promoted Grenoble Foot 38
. He was an automatic first-choice as the side retained its status. In June 2010, after Grenoble's top flight relegation
, he was released, quickly signing for AS Saint-Étienne
- the first team placed above the relegation zone - at nearly 35 years of age.
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 plays for AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
In 1993–94, Batlles emerged from the Toulouse FCToulouse FC
Toulouse Football Club is a French association football club based in the city of Toulouse. The club was founded in 1970 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Toulouse plays its home matches at the Stadium Municipal located within the city. The first team is managed by...
academy into the senior squad, playing his first game in the top division
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....
against Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
, on 2 April 1994, a 0–1 defeat.
In 1999, Batlles joined FC Girondins de 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....
after scoring 10 goals in 159 games. At Girondins, he played exactly half of the 1999–2000 season, adding eight games in Bordeaux's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
campaign, scoring one goal. The following season he scored three in 32 appearances, appearing in 19 league games - with six goals - in the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, before completing that campaign with Stade Rennais, where he scored twice in 13 games.
In January 2003, Batlles moved to Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
and SC Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
. He played in the remaining 19 games for his new club, a figure he repeated in the first half of 2003–04, without scoring, before joining Olympique de 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...
, in another January transfer window move.
In one 1/2 seasons with l'OM, Batlles scored three goals in 15 games and played in eight of the team's UEFA Cup matches, which included the final
2004 UEFA Cup Final
The 2004 UEFA Cup Final was played on May 19, 2004 at Gothenburg, between Valencia CF of Spain and Olympique de Marseille of France. Valencia won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente and Mista...
, lost 2–0 to Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. The following season, he scored eight goals in 30 matches. After starting 2005–06 at Marseille (four appearances), he rejoined Toulouse, initially on loan, only missing three games throughout the campaign, as the team barely avoided relegation.
Battles joined permanently in 2006–07, after a successful loan spell, although he had a link to Marseille until June 2008. Again, he was an undisputed starter (31 matches and four goals), as Toulouse finished third in the league and reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League, eventually bowing out to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
In 2008–09, 33-year old Batlles joined newly promoted Grenoble Foot 38
Grenoble Foot 38
Grenoble Foot 38, commonly referred to as simply Grenoble, is a French association football club based in Grenoble, a city situated at the foot of the French Alps. The original incarnation of the club was founded in 1892 and, in 1997, was formed into the club that exists today as a result of a merger...
. He was an automatic first-choice as the side retained its status. In June 2010, after Grenoble's top flight relegation
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
, he was released, quickly signing for AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
- the first team placed above the relegation zone - at nearly 35 years of age.