Laurent Robert
Robert in 2011
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laurent Robert | ||
| Date of birth | 21 May 1975 | ||
| Place of birth | Saint-Benoît, Réunion | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Playing position | Left winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1994–1999 | Montpellier | 124 | (19) |
| 1999–2001 | Paris Saint-Germain | 61 | (24) |
| 2001–2006 | Newcastle United | 129 | (30) |
| 2005–2006 | → Portsmouth (loan) | 17 | (1) |
| 2006 | Benfica | 13 | (2) |
| 2006–2007 | Levante | 13 | (0) |
| 2008 | Derby County | 0 | (0) |
| 2008 | Toronto FC | 17 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | Larissa | 6 | (0) |
| Total | 384 | (77) | |
| National team | |||
| 1999–2001 | France | 9 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:19, 4 December 2009 (UTC). |
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Laurent Robert (born 21 May 1975 in Saint-Benoît, Réunion) is a French former footballer. He played as a left winger, and represented the French national football team.
Robert began his professional career in his native France before making a move to English side Newcastle United, where he made his reputation as a free-kick specialist. His career has been noted for a number of high-profile disagreements with club management.
Robert started his career at Montpellier, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain in 1999, and became a full international that Summer. In a Champions League match against Rosenborg in 2000 he set up the sixth goal in a 7–2 win.
In 2001, he joined English club Newcastle United for a fee of £9.5 million. During his stay at the club, Robert was known for his pace and crossing ability, and was often called upon to take corners and free kicks. He had a tendency to shoot from long ranges in both open play and free kicks (scoring four goals in the 2004–05 campaign, all from set pieces) and has scored from almost 40 yards (37 m) from goal – one of his most powerful shots has been measured at around 75 mph. The club qualified for the UEFA Champions League in his first season by finishing fourth, their best finish in five years. However, at the start of the following season there were reports he was unhappy at the signings made by Robson in the summer of 2002. Despite this he still chipped in with the goals as the club made it to the second group stage of the Champions League before finishing third in the Premiership.
His partnership on the left wing with full back Olivier Bernard earned the two reputations as fans' favourites for their displays. Robert's trademark corners and free kicks, combined with his pace and athleticism added to his reputation in England. He scored many long distance wonder goals and free kicks, two against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2003 in a 4-0 win. It has been regarded as one of his finest displays. Newcastle went on to finish a slightly disappointing 5th when compared to the 3rd they achieved in the 2002-03 season, but the side managed to reach the semi finals of the Uefa Cup despite the effect of injuries.
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