17 Facts About Sylvain Distin

Sylvain Distin was born on 16 December 1977 and is a French former professional footballer.

Sylvain Distin is left-footed and played as a centre-back, and was capable of playing at left-back.

Sylvain Distin moved to England in 2001, first joining Newcastle United on a loan move from PSG, before signing a permanent contract with Manchester City, where he spent five seasons.

Sylvain Distin then spent two years at Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup, before joining Everton in 2009.

Sylvain Distin then transferred to Gueugnon of Ligue 2, signing his first professional contract.

In total, Sylvain Distin played 207 times for Manchester City and scored six goals.

Sylvain Distin left City at the end of his contract in May 2007, seeking a "fresh challenge", and moved to Portsmouth on a three-year deal.

Sylvain Distin was appointed vice captain by Harry Redknapp and led Portsmouth in Sol Campbell's absences due to injury.

Sylvain Distin was later sent off resulting in Sporting's goal from the penalty spot after a poor touch following an equally poor Jack Rodwell pass.

Sylvain Distin scored his first league goal for the club against Liverpool on 16 January 2011, heading in from a corner at the start of the second half.

On 24 January 2013, Sylvain Distin signed a new one-year contract with Everton, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2014.

Sylvain Distin signed a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2015.

Sylvain Distin spent one season with Bournemouth and was released when his contract expired at the end of June 2016.

In 2003 Sylvain Distin represented the L'equipe de l'amitie in a posthumous testimonial game for his former Manchester City teammate, Marc-Vivien Foe, versus the Cameroon national football team.

Sylvain Distin was approached to play in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup by the Guadeloupean federation, but he rejected the advances as he didn't feel it would be beneficial for his pre-season routine with Everton.

In March 2013, Sylvain Distin made his 402nd English Premier League appearance, the most of any foreign outfield player, but he never received any international call-ups.

In May 2014, Sylvain Distin humorously announced his international retirement on Twitter, calling his record of 0 caps for France a "wonderful experience".