Anthony Knockaert facts for kids
Knockaert playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Patrick Knockaert | ||
| Date of birth | 20 November 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Roubaix, Nord, France | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–1999 | Wasquehal | ||
| 1999–2001 | Leers | ||
| 2001–2004 | Lens | ||
| 2004–2007 | Mouscron | ||
| 2007–2009 | Lesquin | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2009–2012 | Guingamp | 59 | (13) |
| 2012–2015 | Leicester City | 93 | (13) |
| 2015–2016 | Standard Liège | 20 | (5) |
| 2016–2020 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 127 | (25) |
| 2019–2020 | → Fulham (loan) | 38 | (3) |
| 2020–2023 | Fulham | 8 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Nottingham Forest (loan) | 34 | (2) |
| 2022–2023 | → Volos (loan) | 9 | (1) |
| 2023 | → Huddersfield Town (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Valenciennes | 21 | (1) |
| Total | 414 | (63) | |
| International career | |||
| 2011–2012 | France U20 | 10 | (4) |
| 2012 | France U21 | 3 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Anthony Patrick Knockaert (born 20 November 1991) is a French former professional footballer. He played as a winger, a player who runs down the sides of the field. Anthony retired from playing football in July 2024.
Contents
Anthony's Football Journey
Starting Out: Guingamp Years
Anthony Knockaert started his football journey in youth teams like Wasquehal and Lens. At one point, he almost gave up football because he was told he was too small. But he kept going!
In 2009, he joined Guingamp and signed his first professional contract. He made his debut in July 2010, scoring a goal in a cup match. He quickly became an important player for the team.
In the 2010–11 season, Anthony helped Guingamp get promoted to Ligue 2, a higher league in France. He scored 4 goals in 27 games that season. The next season, 2011–12, was even better for him. He scored 13 goals in 38 games, showing off his skills. His great performances caught the eye of many clubs across Europe.
Moving to England: Leicester City
On 1 August 2012, Anthony moved to England to play for Leicester City. He signed a three-year contract. He made his debut for Leicester on 18 August 2012.
He scored his first goal for Leicester with a free-kick in a League Cup game. His first league goals came on 2 October 2012, where he scored two amazing goals against Huddersfield Town. One was a long shot, and the other was a clever flick with his heel.
In May 2013, Anthony scored a winning goal against Nottingham Forest. This goal helped Leicester reach the play-offs, which are special games to decide promotion. In the play-off semi-final, he had a penalty kick saved, and Leicester unfortunately lost the game. Despite this, he was named Leicester's Young Player of the Year and won Goal of the Season for his amazing goal against Huddersfield. He played 47 games and scored 9 goals in his first season.
In the 2013–14 season, Anthony continued to play well. He scored important goals and helped Leicester win the Championship title. This meant Leicester City was promoted to the Premier League, the top football league in England! He played 50 games and scored 7 goals that season.
The 2014–15 season was his first in the Premier League. He found it harder to get a regular spot in the team. He played 11 games that season. At the end of the season, he decided to leave Leicester City. He thanked the fans and said he would never forget his time there.
Return to Europe: Standard Liège
On 4 June 2015, Anthony joined Standard Liège in Belgium. He started strong, scoring in his very first game for the club. He also scored in a UEFA Europa League match. By the end of 2015, he had scored 5 goals in 20 games. In January 2016, he decided to return to England.
Back to England: Brighton & Hove Albion
First Season at Brighton (2015–16)
On 7 January 2016, Anthony signed with Brighton & Hove Albion. He said he was excited about the club's goals. He made his debut five days later.
Anthony quickly made an impact at Brighton. He set up two goals in a game on 23 January 2016. He scored his first goal for Brighton on 5 February 2016. In April 2016, he was a key player, scoring against Burnley, Fulham, and twice against Queens Park Rangers. His great play earned him the Player of the Month award for April. Brighton tried to get promoted to the Premier League but lost in the play-offs. Anthony played 16 games and scored 5 goals that season.
Promotion to the Premier League (2016–17)
In the 2016–17 season, Anthony started very well, scoring three goals in Brighton's first five games. He also started playing in a more attacking role. He scored again in September and October 2016.
On 3 March 2017, Anthony signed a new contract with Brighton. On 9 April 2017, he was named the EFL Championship Player of the Year. This was a huge award for him! He finished the season with 15 goals in 45 games. Brighton was promoted to the Premier League, making it a fantastic season for him and the club.
Premier League Adventures (2017–19)
Brighton's first Premier League match in 34 years was against Manchester City. Anthony came on as a substitute. He scored his first Premier League goal on 15 October 2017, in a draw against Everton. He scored his second Premier League goal on 1 January 2018.
On 10 March 2018, he received a red card in a game against Everton. However, he helped Brighton stay in the Premier League by playing in a big win against Manchester United on 4 May 2018.
In the 2018–19 season, Anthony scored his first ever FA Cup goal in January 2019. On 9 March, he scored an amazing goal against Crystal Palace, which turned out to be the winning goal. This goal also won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for March. On 13 April, he received another red card in a game against Bournemouth.
Loan and Permanent Move to Fulham
On 21 July 2019, Anthony joined Fulham on a loan deal. He made his debut on 3 August. He scored his first goal for Fulham on 21 August in a big win against Millwall.
On 8 July 2020, Fulham made his move permanent, and he signed a three-year contract. Anthony played in Fulham's play-off matches, helping them win and get promoted back to the Premier League. This was his third promotion to the top flight with an English club!
Loan to Nottingham Forest
On 16 October 2020, Anthony joined Nottingham Forest on loan. He made his debut on 23 October. He scored his first goal for Forest on 9 December. His loan was extended until the end of the 2020–21 season. He scored two more goals for Forest, including one in an FA Cup game.
Loans to Volos and Huddersfield Town
On 10 September 2022, Anthony went on loan to Volos, a club in Greece. Then, on 11 January 2023, he joined Huddersfield Town on loan for the rest of the 2022–23 season.
Valenciennes and Retirement
In September 2023, Anthony joined Valenciennes, a club in France.
On 11 July 2024, Anthony Knockaert announced that he was retiring from professional football at the age of 32. He thanked his former club Brighton for their support after his father passed away.
Playing for France
Anthony played for the France under-20 team. He was then called up to the France under-21 team. He made his debut for the under-21 team on 10 September 2012, scoring a goal in a 2–1 win against Chile under-20. He played two more games for the France under-21 team.
Personal Life
Anthony has both French and Belgian citizenship. He has faced personal challenges in his life. In 2011, he lost his older brother, Steve. He dedicated a goal to his late brother. In 2016, his father, Patrick, passed away. Anthony has two children, a son named Ilyan and a daughter named Arla.
In September 2018, Anthony shared that he had been dealing with mental health issues.
Career Achievements
Anthony Knockaert achieved several honors during his career:
- Guingamp
* Promoted to Ligue 2: 2010–11
- Leicester City
* Football League Championship Winner: 2013–14
- Brighton & Hove Albion
* EFL Championship Runner-up (promoted): 2016–17
- Fulham
* EFL Championship play-offs Winner: 2020
- Individual Awards
* PFA Championship Team of the Year: 2016–17 * EFL Team of the Season: 2016–17 * EFL Championship Player of the Year: 2016–17 * Football League Championship Player of the Month: April 2016 * Premier League Goal of the Month: March 2019
See also
In Spanish: Anthony Knockaert para niños
