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Johann Vogel (footballer)

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Johann Vogel
Vogel in 2006
Personal information
Full name Johann Louis François Vogel
Date of birth (1977-03-08) 8 March 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Geneva, Switzerland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1984–1992 FC Meyrin
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1999 Grasshoppers 133 (13)
1999–2005 PSV 169 (7)
2005–2006 Milan 14 (0)
2006–2007 Betis 17 (0)
2008–2009 Blackburn Rovers 7 (0)
2012 Grasshoppers 3 (0)
Total 343 (20)
International career
Switzerland U21 7 (0)
1995–2007[1] Switzerland 94 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Johann Louis François Vogel (born 8 March 1977) is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent much of his professional career with Grasshopper Club Zürich and PSV. In his later career, he played for Milan, Betis, and Blackburn Rovers before returning to Grasshoppers. At international level, he amassed 94 caps scoring twice for the Switzerland national team.

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Geneva, to German father, and Swiss mother, Vogel joined Swiss amateur club FC Meyrin in his youth, but made the cut into professional football by joining Grasshopper Club Zürich. In his time at Grasshoppers, he usually played central defence or rightback although on occasion, he could be called to feature in a central defensive midfield role.

In his role as a defensive midfield player, in which he uses his ability to pass accurately and to effectively retain possession of the ball, Vogel can be counted on to add depth to either defence or attack.

PSV and Milan

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Dutch club PSV sought his services in 1999 and he became a prominent member of the team until he decided to leave to join Milan at the end of the 2004–05 season. In his final season with PSV, he was noted for forming a formidable midfield partnership with Mark van Bommel and Phillip Cocu where the club managed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League tournament.

Real Betis

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On 31 August 2006, he joined Real Betis in an exchange deal for Ricardo Oliveira. Vogel made his Betis debut against Athletic Bilbao on 10 September 2006 at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, which Betis won 3–0.

Vogel made his last La Liga appearance for Betis on 19 May 2007 against Tarragona. On 27 December 2007, he agreed to leave Betis after suing them.

Everton confirmed they were in talks to sign the player after being told he could leave his then club Real Betis in July 2007.[2] However the deal hit problems due to Real Betis wanting payment for him.[3]

Blackburn Rovers

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On 18 March 2008, he agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract (with Blackburn having an option for a further year) with Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.[4][5] Vogel joined fellow Swiss footballers Stéphane Henchoz and Bruno Berner at Ewood Park, as well as his former PSV-colleague André Ooijer. After receiving International clearance to play for Blackburn Rovers on 25 March, he was given the number 8 shirt[6] by Mark Hughes, the shirt vacated by Robbie Savage after his move to Derby County.

Vogel made his debut for Rovers on 5 April against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, in the 2008–09 season, Vogel found himself frozen out at Ewood Park. He came on as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat by Liverpool.

On 7 April 2009, his contract was terminated by Blackburn Rovers with immediate effect and by mutual consent.[7] After that, he announced his retirement from professional football.

Grasshoppers comeback

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Two and a half years after his retirement, Vogel decided to return to the field again. He made comeback with Grasshoppers where he made his professional debut and appeared in the starting line-up against FC Thun on 5 February 2012. After appearing in another two league matches, he retired for the second time.

International career

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Vogel made his debut for Switzerland on 8 March 1995 in a 1–1 draw against Greece. Vogel has played in Euro 1996, Euro 2004, 2006 World Cup and has made 94 appearances in total for his country. He scored his first goal on 10 March 1999 in a friendly against Austria.

Until 8 March 2007, he was the captain of Switzerland.

Career statistics

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Sources:[8]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Grasshoppers 1992–93 Super League 3 0 3 0
1993–94 4 0 4 0
1994–95 23 0 23 0
1995–96 24 0 24 0
1996–97 28 3 28 3
1997–98 24 5 1 0 25 5
1998–99 27 5 27 5
Total 133 13 0 0 1 0 134 13
PSV 1999–00 Eredivisie 31 2 4 0 35 2
2000–01 30 1 1 0 10 0 41 1
2001–02 25 1 8 0 33 1
2002–03 32 1 6 0 38 1
2003–04 24 1 7 0 31 1
2004–05 27 1 13 0 40 1
Total 169 7 1 0 48 0 218 7
Milan 2005–06 Serie A 14 0 3 0 5 0 22 0
Betis 2006–07 La Liga 17 0 1 0 18 0
2007–08 0 0 0 0
Total 17 0 1 0 18 0
Blackburn Rovers 2007–08 Premier League 6 0 6 0
2008–09 1 0 1 0
Total 7 0 7 0
Grasshoppers 2011–12 Super League 3 0 3 0
Career total 343 20 2 0 54 0 399 20

International goals

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# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 10 March 1999 Espenmoos, St. Gallen  Austria 1–1 2–4 Friendly
2. 15 August 2001 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna  Austria 1–0 2–1 Friendly

Honours

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Club

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Grasshoppers

PSV Eindhoven

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Johann Vogel – International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Vogel in talks with Everton and is set to have a medical". Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2007.
  3. ^ "Sky Sports – Football – Premier League – Everton". Sky Sports.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Blackburn Rovers sign Johann Vogel". Archived from the original on 21 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  5. ^ "Vogel signs deal with Blackburn". BBC. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  6. ^ "Blackburn Rover Website: Number 8 for Vogel". Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  7. ^ "Vogel Released by Rovers – Blackburn Rovers Website | Football | Premier League". Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
  8. ^ "Johann Vogel | Blackburn Rovers | Team | 1st Team Profiles". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Switzerland captain
2004-2007
Succeeded by