Geremi

Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso (born 20 December 1978), known simply as Geremi, is a Cameroonian former footballer. He was a versatile player able to play at right back, right midfield or defensive midfielder, known for his power, combative style and free-kick ability. Geremi is often regarded as one of the greatest practitioners of the step over and often used it to fool his opponents before scoring one of his many goals.

Geremi
Geremi with Newcastle United in 2009
Personal information
Full name Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso[1]
Date of birth (1978-12-20) 20 December 1978
Place of birth Bafoussam, Cameroon
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Right back, midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1996 Racing Bafoussam 28 (5)
1996–1997 Cerro Porteño 6 (0)
1997–1999 Gençlerbirliği 57 (9)
1999–2003 Real Madrid 45 (0)
2002–2003 → Middlesbrough (loan) 33 (7)
2003–2007 Chelsea 72 (4)
2007–2009 Newcastle United 49 (2)
2010 Ankaragücü 12 (2)
2010–2011 AEL 10 (0)
Total 312 (29)
National team
1996–2010 Cameroon 118 (13)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

The most successful periods of Geremi's club career came at Real Madrid and Chelsea, winning the UEFA Champions League with the first and domestic honours with the latter.

Geremi earned 118 caps for Cameroon from 1996 to 2010, scoring 13 goals. He was a member of their squad for seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning in 2000 and 2002, as well as the World Cup in 2002 and 2010 and a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.

Club career

Early career

Geremi was born in Bafoussam, Cameroon. Raised into a footballing family, Geremi was encouraged to remain focused on school by his father, a former player. But as duties for his club and national teams pulled him away from his studies, he eventually decided to pursue his playing career. Geremi gave up on studying for his university entrance exams and began playing professionally.

Geremi began his career with a local side in Bafoussam, Racing FC, in 1995. A first-division club in the Cameroon's MTN Elite One, Racing had won the league championship the year before 16-year-old Geremi arrived and won the league cup, the Cameroonian Cup, in his only season as a professional at the club.

In 1996, Geremi was offered a contract with a Paraguayan first division club, Cerro Porteño, after being spotted playing for the Cameroon national team in Brazil. He played only a few months in Paraguay, before moving to European club football in 1997 at the age of 18.

Turkey and Spain

Geremi spent two seasons in Turkey with Gençlerbirliği, racking up 57 appearances, before a move to Real Madrid materialised for him. In his three years at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Geremi won two Champions League winners medals with the Spanish giants. He scored two goals whilst at Madrid; his first was a late winner in a 2000 FIFA Club World Championship tie against Raja Casablanca after his side had been reduced to eight men.[3] His second came against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the 2001–02 UEFA Champions League.[4] At Real Madrid, Geremi was nominated for the Ballon d'Or of 2000. In a tribute to Geremi, four years after he left the club, former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque told Spanish newspaper Marca, that Njitap and Steve McManaman were the two most important players in his squad, because "together they kept the whole team united".[5]

Seeking more regular football, Geremi moved to Middlesbrough for the 2002–03 season on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a successful season.

In 2003, a sentence from FIFA obliged Cerro Porteño to pay Geremi US$450,000.[6]

Chelsea
Geremi line up for Chelsea.

After an impressive FIFA Confederations Cup campaign with Cameroon, Chelsea paid Real Madrid £6.9 million for him in July 2003,[7] and he went on to have an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge. Although towards the end of his career at Chelsea, under José Mourinho he was played less regularly and when he was played he was put in his unpreferred position of right-back. Geremi, however, was held in high regard by Mourinho. During an interview, he said about Geremi, "In my team I love to have Geremi on the bench because he's a low-profile player who is ready to help, ready to fight for the team, ready to do the job I want him to do. If I need him to play right-back, he can play right-back. If I need him to play right-winger, he can play right-winger. If I need him to pick up a man and mark him out of the game, he does it." In his final year at Chelsea, Geremi scored the winning goal in a home match against West Ham United, a long-range free-kick. This turned out to be his last goal in a Chelsea shirt. His final appearance for Chelsea came against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final second leg, which went to penalties.[8] Geremi came on as an extra-time substitute and went on to have his penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and Chelsea ultimately lost.[9]

During his time at Chelsea, the club won the Premier League in both 2004–05 and 2005–06, and Geremi was eligible for a winners' medal both seasons as he made 13[10] and 15[11] appearances respectively.

2007–08
Geremi (right) and Newcastle United´s teammate Nicky Butt.

Geremi signed for Newcastle United on 6 July 2007 on a three-year deal, making him the fourth signing of the summer by manager Sam Allardyce.[12] He was appointed club captain for the 2007–08 season by then manager Allardyce, but lost the armband after new manager Kevin Keegan awarded the captaincy to Michael Owen on 20 January 2008.[13]

Geremi made his Newcastle debut on the opening day of the 2007–08 FA Premier League season in a 3–1 away win over Bolton Wanderers, going on to start the next six games for Newcastle before being an unused substitute in the League Cup third round defeat at Arsenal.

In January 2008, Geremi departed for the 2008 African Cup of Nations with Cameroon. He returned to Newcastle in February after Cameroon finished as runners-up. His first game since returning was on 23 February in a 5–1 away defeat to Manchester United. His first start since returning came on 17 March 2008 in a 1–1 draw away at Birmingham City.

Geremi scored his first goal for Newcastle in a 4–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 30 March with a well-taken free-kick[14] and the second a header in the 2–2 draw at Upton Park on 26 April against West Ham.[15] Geremi made 27 league appearances for Newcastle United during his first season at the club, starting 24 of the 27 league games and scoring on two occasions, with five assists.

2008–09

Geremi made his first appearances of the 2008–09 Premier League season appearing as a half time substitute in a 1–0 home win over Bolton on 23 August 2008. In September 2008, Newcastle found themselves under yet another new manager. As a result, Geremi's game time dropped over the course of the season, with the midfielder making 11 league starts without a goal and contributing only three assists. Newcastle was relegated at the end of the season, finishing one point from safety after losing their final game of the season against Aston Villa.

In the 2009–10 season, Geremi's minutes dropped even more dramatically, with only three league starts in the first five months of the season. He scored his third Newcastle goal – and first of the 2009–10 club season – in a League Cup match against Huddersfield Town on 26 August 2009.[16] Geremi left Newcastle in the 2010 January transfer window to join Turkish club MKE Ankaragücü. Shortly after, however, Newcastle said the deal had not been finalized and the player remained at Newcastle. On transfer deadline day, 1 February, Newcastle finally agreed to terms and Geremi went to Turkey on a new 18-month deal.

Ankaragücü

On 31 January 2010, Geremi's transfer to Ankaragücü of the Süper Lig was announced; he signed a one-and-a-half year contract with the Turkish club.[17][18]

AEL

On 25 August 2010, Geremi moved to Superleague Greece club AE Larissa on a two-year contract.[19] On 11 January 2011, it was announced on the official site of Larissa that the contract had been terminated.[20]

International career

Geremi began his Cameroon international career with the youth teams, most notably in the 1995 U-20 Youth World Cup finals. Geremi started all four games for the national team before they lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals.

Geremi's senior debut came not much later, appearing in a match against Gabon in October 1996. From there, the midfielder went on to feature in four of Cameroon's six qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, though he was left out of the finals squad after the nation qualified.

Geremi won Olympic Gold with Cameroon in Sydney in 2000 when he captained his country. He has also won two Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002 as they demonstrated their superiority not only in Africa but at world level too.

Geremi was part of the Cameroon side that qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan he also played in all three of Cameroon's World Cup final games in 2002 and scored a free-kick in a 2–2 friendly draw with England shortly before the tournament.

The squad failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, finishing one point behind qualifiers Ivory Coast in their table. Geremi started nine of the squad's ten games at holding midfielder, however, and scored twice during the campaign.

The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations brought Cameroon's best finish since 2002, managing to reach the finals before losing 1–0 to Egypt. Geremi again played every one of Cameroon's games and was named to the Team of the Tournament for his performances.

Geremi earned his 100th cap for Cameroon on 11 February 2009, scoring a goal as part of a 3–1 friendly win against Guinea in Paris, a game in which he scored from a free-kick.

Geremi played in 11 2010 World Cup qualification matches Cameroon finished top of Group A in the third round of qualification, scoring one goal along the way.

In January 2010, Geremi and his teammates traveled to Angola for the 2010 Cup of Nations, falling to eventual champions Egypt in a 3–1 extra time loss.

Geremi was part of the Cameroon squad that took part in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Playing in all three of Cameron's matches as they finished bottom of Group E.

Personal life

Geremi's father, Samuel, is a former footballer and Cameroon international in the 1970s. Samuel, a striker, was nicknamed "Poison Arrow" for his powerful shot and free-kicks. Geremi's father was allowed five wives due to his status as a footballer, and Geremi has 17 siblings in Cameroon.[21]

Geremi's cousin, Pierre Webó,[22] was also a professional footballer, and played alongside Geremi for Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[23]

Honours

Racing Bafoussam

Real Madrid

Chelsea

Newcastle United

Cameroon

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[25][26][27][28][29]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental[nb 1] Other[nb 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Racing Bafoussam 1995 MTN Elite one 50–––50
1996 235––235
Total 285——285
Cerro Porteño 1997 Primera División 60––40–100
Gençlerbirliği 1997–98 Super League 28431–––315
1998–99 29531–––326
Total 57962———6311
Real Madrid 1999–00 Primera División 20020–80–300
2000–01 16000–9051301
2001–02 9020–5100161
Total 45040—22151762
Middlesbrough 2002–03 Premier League 3371000––347
Chelsea 2003–04 Premier League 2511030100–391
2004–05 130201040–200
2005–06 15230102010222
2006–07 19130302010281
Total 7249080180201094
Newcastle United 2007–08 Premier League 2720010––282
2008–09 1500020––170
2009–10 Championship 700021––91
Total 49200510000543
Ankaragücü 2009–10 Süper Lig 12200–––122
AEL 2010–11 Superleague 10010–––110
Career total 312292121314417139734

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[30]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Cameroon 199630
199790
199840
199940
200090
200180
2002141
200391
2004100
200563
200672
200751
2008112
200992
2010101
Total11813
  • Africa Cup of Nations: Team of all Tournaments

International goals
List of international goals scored by Geremi
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.26 May 2002Universiade Memorial Stadium, Kobe, Japan England2–2DrawInternational friendly
2.21 June 2003Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France Turkey1–0Win2003 FIFA Confederations Cup
3.9 February 2005Stade Dominique Duvauchelle, Creteil, France Senegal1–0WinFriendly
4.27 March 2005Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon Sudan2–1Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.4 June 2005Stade de l'Amitié, Cotonou, Benin Benin1–4Win2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
6.29 January 2006Cairo Military Academy Stadium, Cairo, Egypt DR Congo2–0Win2006 Africa Cup of Nations
7.3 September 2006Stade Amahoro, Kigali, Rwanda Rwanda0–3Win2008 Africa Nations Cup qualification
8.17 June 2007Stade Omnisports Roumdé Adjia, Garoua, Cameroon Rwanda2–1Win2008 Africa Nations Cup qualification
9.26 January 2008Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana Zambia5–1Win2008 Africa Cup of Nations
10.4 February 2008Tamale Stadium, Tamale, Ghana Tunisia2–3Win2008 Africa Cup of Nations
11.11 February 2009Stade Robert Bobin, Bondoufle, France Guinea3–1WinFriendly
12.10 October 2009Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon Togo3–0Win2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
13.17 January 2010Estádio Nacional da Tundavala, Lubango, Angola Zambia3–2Win2010 Africa Cup of Nations

Notes
  1. Includes appearance in 2000 UEFA Super Cup.
  2. Includes four appearances, one goal in 2000 FIFA Club World Championship, one appearance in 2000 Intercontinental Cup.

References
  1. "Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso" (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  2. "Player Profile: Geremi". Premier League.
  3. "Surreal win for eight-man Real". BBC Sport. 10 January 2000. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. "Bayern comeback stuns Real". BBC Sport. 2 April 2002. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  5. "Del Bosque: "Geremi y McManaman hacían equipo"". AS.com. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  6. AS, Diario (23 December 2003). "Geremi hunde económicamente al Cerro Porteño". Más Fútbol - AS.com.
  7. "Geremi completes Blues move". Sky Sports. 16 July 2003. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
  8. "Games played by Geremi in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  9. "Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Agg: 1-1)". BBC. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  10. "Games played by Geremi in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  11. "Games played by Geremi in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  12. "Geremi completes Newcastle move". BBC Sport. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  13. "Big Sam Names Toon Captain". Newcastle United F.C. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  14. "Tottenham 1–4 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  15. "West Ham 2–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  16. "Newcastle 4 – 3 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  17. "Newcastle ace joins Ankaragucu". Ontheminute.com. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  18. "Geremi resmen Ankaragücü'nde" (in Turkish). NTVSpor. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  19. "Cameroon's Geremi Njitap Signs For Greek Club Larissa". Goal.com. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  20. "Τέλος από την ΑΕΛ ο Γκέρεμι". Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  21. "Toon ace Geremi's grief for sister". Evening Chronicle. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  22. Picard, Laurent. "Webo keen on Prem move". Sky Sports. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  23. Daly, James (19 June 2010). "Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner leads Denmark attack in World Cup 2010 clash with Cameroon". Goal. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  24. "Geremi: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  25. "Geremi Career Stats". Football Database.eu. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  26. "Geremi Njitap". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  27. "Geremi Europe Stats". UEFA.com. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  28. "Geremi Turkey Stats". TFF. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  29. "Geremi Chelsea Stats". Bounder Friardale.co.uk. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  30. "Geremi Fotso Njitap – Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
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