Sébastien Frey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sébastien Frey

Frey with Bursaspor in 2014
Personal information
Date of birth	(1980-03-18) 18 March 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Thonon-les-Bains, France
Height	1.89 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1997–1998	Cannes	24	(0)
1998–2001	Inter Milan	35	(0)
1999–2000	→ Hellas Verona (loan)	30	(0)
2001–2006	Parma	132	(0)
2005–2006	→ Fiorentina (loan)	18	(0)
2006–2011	Fiorentina	157	(0)
2011–2013	Genoa	74	(0)
2013–2015	Bursaspor	27	(0)
Total		497	(0)
National team
	France U-21	4	(0)
2007–2008	France	2	(0)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Sébastien Frey (born 18 March 1980) is a French former professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper.

Frey started his club career in France with Cannes in 1997. He spent most of his career playing in Italy's top league, Serie A. He played for famous teams like Inter Milan, Hellas Verona, Parma, Fiorentina, and Genoa. He finished his career in 2015 after two seasons with the Turkish team Bursaspor. Sébastien also played for the France national football team twice between 2007 and 2008. He was part of the team for UEFA Euro 2008, but he did not play in any matches.

Sébastien Frey: A Goalkeeper's Journey

His Club Career Beginnings

Starting at Cannes

Sébastien Frey was born in Thonon-les-Bains, France. He began his football journey with the French team AS Cannes in 1997. He was only 17 years old. On 20 September 1997, he played his first professional game. It was a 1–1 draw against Rennes. By the end of the 1997–98 season, Frey had played 24 league games. He became the main goalkeeper for the team.

Moving to Inter Milan

After two good seasons at Cannes, Frey caught the eye of big clubs. Inter Milan in Italy was very interested in him. He decided to join Inter. At first, he was the third-choice goalkeeper. But soon, he became the second choice. On 21 March 1999, Frey played his first game for Inter against Genoa. He played seven league games that season.

Loan to Verona and Return to Inter

In 1999, Frey went on loan to Verona. He played 30 league games there. He helped the team avoid being moved down to a lower league. The next year, he came back to Inter. He became the youngest goalkeeper in Inter's history. He was also the first foreign player to be a main goalkeeper for the team. He even got to be the team captain sometimes. However, Inter decided to make changes, and Frey was put up for transfer.

Playing for Parma

After leaving Inter, Frey joined Parma in 2001. He replaced Gianluigi Buffon, a very famous goalkeeper. Buffon had been sold to Juventus for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper. It was a big challenge for Frey to fill his shoes.

Frey did very well at Parma. He showed his great talent and became a key player. He regularly played in the UEFA Cup, a European competition. He helped Parma win the Coppa Italia (Italian Cup) in 2002. This was Parma's third time winning the title since 1992. Even though he was a star, Parma had financial problems. So, Frey had to be sold.

Frey playing in a match for Fiorentina.

Time at Fiorentina

In 2005, Frey joined Fiorentina on loan. He had a great season there. At the end of the year, Fiorentina bought him permanently for €6 million. He became a very important part of the team.

In January 2006, Frey got a serious leg injury during a game. This kept him out of play for several months. Fiorentina had to sign another goalkeeper to replace him temporarily. But Frey worked hard to get back in shape. He regained his starting spot in goal.

In December 2007, Frey had another knee injury. He had surgery and returned a month later. His excellent play led to a new contract. Fiorentina reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup that season. In the 2008–09 Serie A season, Frey was outstanding. He let in less than one goal per game. In November 2010, he injured his knee again, which ended his season.

Moving to Genoa and Bursaspor

In 2011, Frey joined Genoa on a five-year deal. He left Fiorentina because a new goalkeeper had joined. His time at Genoa was not as successful. The team struggled and was often in the relegation zone. Frey left after two years.

On 15 July 2013, Frey moved to the Turkish club Bursaspor. He played for two seasons there. In the 2014–15 season, he did not play any games. His contract was ended on 9 July 2015. Sébastien Frey then retired from professional football. He shared a message on Instagram, thanking the club.

International Career with France

Frey was first called up to play for the French national team in November 2004. However, he did not play in that match. He earned his first cap (played his first game) for France on 21 November 2007. This was a qualifier for UEFA Euro 2008 against Ukraine. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. He was part of France's Euro 2008 squad. On 20 August 2008, Frey announced he was retiring from international football. He was 28 years old and wanted to focus on his club career.

His Style of Play

Sébastien Frey was known for being a great leader and very calm on the field. He had a strong character and was very consistent. Many people thought he was one of the best goalkeepers in Italy during his career. He was a dynamic and agile keeper, meaning he could move quickly and make amazing saves. He was great at stopping shots and catching balls in the air. He was also known for his quick reactions and athleticism. Frey was good at rushing out to stop attackers in one-on-one situations. He was also good with the ball at his feet, as he used to play as an outfield player when he was younger.

Personal Life

Football runs in Sébastien Frey's family. His grandfather, André, was a French international footballer. His father, Raymond, was also a professional goalkeeper. His younger brother, Nicolas, played as a defensive midfielder for Serie A team Chievo. Sébastien Frey is a Buddhist and follows the Soka Gakkai branch. He has said that former Fiorentina legend Roberto Baggio was one of his spiritual mentors.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honours

Parma

• Coppa Italia: 2001–02

Individual

• Guerin d'Oro: 2000
• ACF Fiorentina Hall of Fame: 2022

See also

In Spanish: Sébastien Frey para niños