David Bellion

Bellion was born in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine,{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/david-bellion-14977/ |title=David Bellion |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=7 April 2020}} to a Senegalese father and French mother.{{cite web|url=https://www.espnfc.com/england/news/2002/1025/20021025sfcbellion.html|title=ESPN.com Soccernet England: News - Senegal want Black Cats' Bellion|website=ESPN FC}} He started his career at Cannes at the age of 14, and earned a move to English club Sunderland in the summer of 2001. In his youth, he was a talented athlete, competing in the 2001 National Indoor Youth Championships, where he won the 60 metres.http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2007/20070807_141337Dev.html{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Bellion signed for Premier League club Sunderland in July 2001.{{cite news|url=http://www.safc.com/news.asp?article=51276&aindex=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011121005812/http://www.safc.com/news.asp?article=51276&aindex=1 |archive-date=21 November 2001 |title=Young French Striker Signs |website=SAFC.com |publisher=Sunderland Association Football Club |first=Graham |last=Walker |date=3 July 2001 |access-date=9 May 2020}} He made his debut at Fulham in August 2001, coming on as a substitute. His first senior goal was against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light which gave Sunderland a 1–0 win in September 2002.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2272638.stm|title=Sunderland edge to victory|website=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2002 |access-date=27 August 2009}} It was his only Premier League goal for Sunderland. Following the goal, Bellion became a first-team regular at Sunderland, although he was unable to save them from relegation with the third-lowest Premier League points tally ever. During the 2002–03 season, Sunderland offered a new contract,{{cite news|title=Black Cats plan talks|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/2251016/|website=Sky Sports|date=27 November 2002|access-date=26 November 2012}} but he turned it down{{cite news|title=Bellion rejects Black Cats offer|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2253423/|website=Sky Sports|date=23 December 2002|access-date=26 November 2012}} as he wanted to leave the club.{{cite news|title=Bellion reveals exit plans|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2253011/|website=Sky Sports|date=28 December 2002|access-date=26 November 2012}} He agreed a move to Manchester United in July 2003,{{cite news|title=Bellion makes United move|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2269578/|website=Sky Sports|date=1 July 2003|access-date=26 November 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108035704/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2269578/|archivedate=8 January 2020}} although the transfer was completed amid "tapping up" allegations that were resolved by Sunderland,{{cite news|title=Black Cats request Bellion tribunal|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2269648/|website=Sky Sports|date=2 July 2003|access-date=26 November 2012}} receiving a compensation payment of £2 million, rising to £3 million depending on appearances, in an out-of-court agreement.{{cite news|title=United agree Bellion fee|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2278997/|website=Sky Sports|date=16 October 2003|access-date=26 November 2012}}

Bellion scored on his Manchester United debut against Celtic on the club's pre-season American tour. His first competitive goal came at Leeds United in the League Cup,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3204813.stm |title=Leeds 2–3 Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=28 October 2003 |access-date=16 September 2009 }} and he scored two goals in the 2003–04 season, against Everton{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3316125.stm |title=Man Utd 3–2 Everton |website=BBC Sport |date=26 December 2003 |access-date=16 September 2009 }} and Tottenham Hotspur,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3507784.stm |title=Man Utd 3–0 Tottenham |website=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2004 |access-date=16 September 2009 }} both at Old Trafford. During the season, he made his Champions League debut when he came on as a substitute in the 5–0 win over Panathinaikos in the group stage.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3109724.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326192031/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3109724.stm |archive-date=26 March 2020 |title=Man Utd wreak Greek havoc |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 September 2003 |access-date=27 April 2020}}{{soccerbase season|25356|2003|accessdate=27 April 2020}}

Despite being compared to Thierry Henry and early-season goals against Norwich City{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3564566.stm |title=Man Utd 2–1 Norwich |website=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2004 |access-date=16 September 2009 }} and Bolton Wanderers,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3599088.stm |title=Bolton 2–2 Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=11 September 2004 |access-date=16 September 2009 }} the 2004–05 campaign proved frustrating for Bellion as he found himself increasingly frozen out of the first-team squad. His season was curtailed in early May, when he suffered a fractured fibula against Charlton Athletic Reserves.{{cite news|title=Bellion injury agony|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2335129/|website=Sky Sports|date=13 May 2005|access-date=26 November 2012}} During 2004–05, Bellion scored his first Champions League goal (not including qualifiers){{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3594376.stm |title=Man Utd 3-0 D Bucharest |website=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020 }} in a 6–2 win over Fenerbahçe and was involved in the squad for the FA Community Shield in a 3–1 loss against Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3677174.stm |title=Man Utd 6-2 Fenerbahce |website=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2004 |access-date=27 March 2020 }}

Bellion spent time on loan at West Ham United at the beginning of the 2005–06 season.{{cite news|title=Hammers sign Bellion|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2345361/|website=Sky Sports|date=17 August 2005|access-date=26 November 2012}} He scored on his debut, a League Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on 20 September 2005.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4258504.stm |title=Sheff Wed 2–4 West Ham |website=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2005 |access-date=27 August 2009 }} After the match, manager Alan Pardew praised Bellion, believing he could make an impact at the club.{{cite news|title=Pardew: Bell tolls for us|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2349110/|website=Sky Sports|date=22 September 2005|access-date=26 November 2012}} However, he never flourished and his first-team opportunities were limited and he went on to make just ten appearances for the club, mostly as a substitute.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

He returned to France on 9 January 2006, joining Nice on loan until the end of the season,{{cite news|title=Nice move for Bellion|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2362810/|website=Sky Sports|date=9 January 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}}{{cite news|title=Foot - Transfers Bellion on loan to Nice|trans-title=Foot - Transferts Bellion prêté à Nice|url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes_65/Football/breves2006/20060109_113834Dev.html|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=9 January 2006|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} a move that was later made permanent in June 2006. Speaking of his move, Bellion said it was good to be home in France, and he settled quickly at the club.{{cite news|title=Bellion: Nice to be home|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2364286/|website=Sky Sports|date=20 January 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}} Shortly after his move, Bellion made his debut, coming on as a substitute and receiving a yellow card, in a 0–0 draw against Nantes. Bellion scored in the quarter-final of Coupe de la Ligue in a 2–1 win over Bordeaux on 17 January 2006.{{cite news|title=Nice reach semis|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11808/2363846/|website=Sky Sports|date=18 January 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}} The club advanced to the semi-final and then progressed to the final but lost against Nancy on 22 April 2006. On 14 February 2006, he scored his first goal, the only goal in the match, against Saint-Étienne. Toward the end of the season, he scored three goals in three matches against Rennes, Ajaccio and Metz. At the end of the season, Bellion signed a permanent deal with the club.{{cite news|title=United confirm striker sale|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2373927/|website=Sky Sports|date=17 April 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}} After finally leaving Manchester United, Bellion said he had no hard feelings toward the club,{{cite news|title=Nice life suits Bellion|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2374556/|website=Sky Sports|date=23 April 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}} and also said his experience in English football was "frustrating".{{cite news|title=Bellion admits English frustration|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11822/2394948/|website=Sky Sports|date=6 November 2006|access-date=26 November 2012}}

In his first permanent season at Nice, Bellion's form dropped. He made several critical errors and misjudgements, and scored eight goals. Following an injury on 23 December 2006, in a 2–1 loss against Lens, it was announced that Bellion would be out for three weeks.{{cite news|title=Foot - L1 - Nice Bellion missing three weeks|trans-title=Foot - L1 - Nice Bellion absent trois semaines|url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes_65/Football/breves2007/20070109_164040Dev.html|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=9 January 2007|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Soon after, he had another injury on his right fibula.{{cite news|title=Foot - L1 - Nice Early Laslandes|trans-title=Foot - L1 - Nice Les débuts de Laslandes|url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes_65/Football/breves2007/20070112_085235Dev.html|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=12 January 2007|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He completed his recovery on 9 March 2007 after three months on the sidelines.{{cite news|title=Foot-L1-Nice Balmont back, Kone package|trans-title=Foot-L1-Nice Balmont de retour, Koné forfait|url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes_65/Football/breves2007/20070309_145658Dev.html|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=9 March 2007|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Despite this, Bellion finished his first season with eight goals, making him the club's joint top scorer in the league along with Bakari Koné.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

File:David Bellion 11.jpg]]

Bellion joined Bordeaux on 15 July 2007, signing a four-year deal for a fee rumoured to total €4.5 million. He was signed as a replacement for Jean-Claude Darcheville.{{cite news|title=Bordeaux bag Bellion|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11800/2609896/|website=Sky Sports|date=29 July 2007|access-date=26 November 2012}} He marked his first match by scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Lens. Up until the second half of the season, he was in impressive form, scoring eight goals in twelve matches. However, in the second half, he only scored four goals. The club would end up in second place behind Lyon, who won their seventh title. Despite failing to win the league and his faltering form in the latter half, Bellion said it was his best season.{{cite news|title=Foot - L1 Chamakh: "My best season"|trans-title=Foot - L1 Chamakh : "Ma meilleure saison"|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/recherche/search.php?r=Bellion%20David&s=football&p=38|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=16 May 2008|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The following 2008–09 season, Bellion became third-choice striker behind Marouane Chamakh and Fernando Cavenaghi, limiting his first-team opportunities.{{cite news|title=Foot - C1 - Bordeaux Chamakh and not Cavenaghi|trans-title=Foot - C1 - Bordeaux Chamakh et non Cavenaghi|url=http://www2.lequipe.fr/redirect-v6/homes_65/Football/breves2008/20081104_201021_chamakh-plutot-que-cavenaghi_Dev.html|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=4 November 2008|access-date=28 June 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He managed to score four goals this season while mostly playing off the bench. In the UEFA Cup third round against Galatasaray, he scored past Morgan De Sanctis in just eleven seconds, the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA Cup, but Bordeaux lost 4–3. Towards the end of the season, the club would win not only the Coupe de la Ligue but also the league.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Bellion signed a three-year contract with the club, keeping him there until 2014.{{cite news|title=Bellion pens Bordeaux deal|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/5627722/|website=Sky Sports|date=14 October 2009|access-date=26 November 2012}} He did not regret this, when asked by L'Équipe after the season ended whether he regretted signing a contract in the interview.{{cite news|title=Bellion: "I was dead|trans-title=Bellion : "J'étais mort"|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bellion-j-etais-mort/119936|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=2 July 2010|access-date=28 June 2013}} Bellion spoken out of his first team, saying he had become more increasingly frustrated at the club, due to lack of regular football.{{cite news|title=Bellion reveals frustration|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11800/6075284/|website=Sky Sports|date=4 April 2010|access-date=26 November 2012}}{{cite news|title=Bellion: "I saw it very bad"|trans-title=Foot - L1 - Bordeaux : Bellion: "Je vis ça très mal"|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bellion-je-vis-ca-tres-mal/98965|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=1 April 2010|access-date=28 June 2013}} However, in three seasons, Bellion was barely used in the first team and stayed on the substitutes bench, even upon his return on loan from Nice and also his own injury concerns. In an interview with Goal.com, Bellion claims that he was ignored by the team's management.{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Nice's David Bellion Critical Of Girondins De Bordeaux Coach Jean Tigana|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2011/01/26/2323820/exclusive-nices-david-bellion-critical-of-girondins-de|website=Goal.com|date=26 January 2011|access-date=28 June 2013}}

In December 2010, Bellion returned to Nice on loan until the end of the season, to gain first-team experience.{{cite web |url=http://www.ogcnice.com/actualite/news.php?clef=6697 |title=Accord pour le prêt de Bellion |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101192923/http://www.ogcnice.com/actualite/news.php?clef=6697 |archive-date=1 January 2011}} Shortly after moving, he believed the move would relaunch his career. However, his time at Nice was 'forgettable', due to his lack of goals, goals that he had produced four years ago, and much to the fans' dismay and also his own injury concerns, like being injured in a taxi for example.{{cite news|title=Bellion injured in taxi|trans-title=Bellion blessé en taxi|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bellion-blesse-en-taxi/191711|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=13 April 2011|access-date=28 June 2013}} He departed back to Bordeaux at the end of the season.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Bellion scored his first goal in two years since September 2010 in the Europa League in a 1–0 win over Marítimo on 8 November 2012.{{cite news|title=The bare minimum for Bordeaux|trans-title=Foot - Ligue Europa - Gr. D : Le minimum syndical pour Bordeaux|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-minimum-syndical-pour-bordeaux/325492|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=8 November 2012|access-date=28 June 2013}} After the match, Bellion spoke of his first goal as "running a rhythm" to score.{{cite news|title=Bellion: "I can make myself winnow!"|trans-title=Foot - Ligue Europa : Bellion: "Je peux me faire vanner !"|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bellion-je-peux-me-faire-vanner/325510|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=8 November 2012|access-date=28 June 2013}} He scored again, in the second round of Coupe de France, in a 2–1 win to Moulins. A few weeks later, Bellion scored his first league in over four years, in a 2–0 win against Valenciennes.{{cite news|title=Bordeaux spends fourth|trans-title=Bordeaux passe la 4e|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bordeaux-passe-la-4e/347507|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=2 February 2013|access-date=28 June 2013}} After the match, Bellion described his first goal in over a year as "mini relief and a small reward".{{cite news|title=Bellion: "I waited my turn"|trans-title=Foot - Ligue 1 - Bordeaux : Bellion :"J'ai attendu mon tour"|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Bellion-j-ai-attendu-mon-tour/347527|newspaper=L'Equipe|language=fr|date=3 February 2013|access-date=28 June 2013}} However, towards the end of the season, Bellion was soon less included, especially missing out from the squad, when the club won the Coupe de France.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

In June 2013, Bellion was linked with a move to the United States, where he trained with the New York Cosmos on trial.{{cite news|title=Report: Former Manchester United player Bellion training with New York Cosmos|url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/report-former-manchester-united-player-bellion-training-with-new-york-cosmos/|website=Empire of Soccer|date=15 June 2013|access-date=28 June 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619000622/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/report-former-manchester-united-player-bellion-training-with-new-york-cosmos/|archive-date=19 June 2013}} Eventually, his trial with them ended after he rejected a move, and he travelled back to Bordeaux.{{cite news|title=David Bellion no longer in New York Cosmos' plans|url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/david-bellion-no-longer-in-new-york-cosmos-plans/|website=Empire of Soccer|date=23 June 2013|access-date=28 June 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628073838/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/david-bellion-no-longer-in-new-york-cosmos-plans/|archive-date=28 June 2013}}

In July 2014, after his contract with Bordeaux expired, Bellion joined Championnat National club Red Star.{{cite news|title=DAVID BELLION SIGNE AU RED STAR !|url=http://www.redstar.fr/actualites/lire/david-bellion-signe-au-red-star.html|publisher=Red Star F.C.|language=fr|date=2 July 2014|access-date=3 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164404/http://www.redstar.fr/actualites/lire/david-bellion-signe-au-red-star.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}} He registered a consolation goal on his first appearance on 8 August 2014 to Amiens,{{cite web |url=http://www.foot-national.com/1184-3363-185-saison-football-Bellion-David.html |title=David Bellion |publisher=Championnat National |language=fr |access-date=23 October 2017}} as Red Star were defeated 3–1.{{cite news |date=9 August 2014 |title=Le Red Star chute en terre picarde |trans-title=Red Star fall in Picardy soil |url=http://www.redstar.fr/actualites/lire/le-red-star-chute-en-terre-picarde.html |language=fr |publisher=Red Star F.C. |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230636/http://www.redstar.fr/actualites/lire/le-red-star-chute-en-terre-picarde.html |archive-date=23 October 2017 |url-status=dead}} Bellion's goals helped Red Star win the league and gain promotion to Ligue 2 after beating Istres with a 4–0 victory at home on 8 May 2015.{{cite news |date=9 May 2015 |title=Seize ans après l'avoir quittée, le Red Star fête son retour en Ligue 2 |trans-title=Sixteen years after leaving, Red Star celebrates her return to Ligue 2 |url=http://www.eurosport.fr/football/national/2014-2015/seize-ans-apres-l-avoir-quittee-le-red-star-fete-son-retour-en-ligue-2_sto4720271/story.shtml |language=fr |publisher=Eurosport |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=23 October 2017}} After ending his playing career in 2016, Bellion remained with the club after being appointed their creative director, building links between the club and the world of culture and the arts.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/in-bed-with-maradona/2018/jan/20/red-star-football-club-paris-jules-rimet-david-bellion |title=Red Star: the oldest, hippest and most political football club in Paris |last=Godfrey |first=Mark |date=20 January 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=20 January 2018}}

Manchester United

• FA Community Shield: 2003{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3125653.stm |title=Man Utd win Community Shield |website=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2003 |access-date=31 May 2019}}

Bordeaux

• Ligue 1: 2008–09{{cite news |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en//t/t2008-094012.html |title=Girondins de Bordeaux 2008-09 |website=BDFutbol |access-date=12 February 2020}}
• Trophée des Champions: 2008, 2009{{cite web|url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/bordeaux-lyon-les-compos_AN-200808020012.html |title=BORDEAUX – LYON : LES COMPOS |publisher=rmcsport.bfmtv.com |access-date=1 March 2021 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/fr/news/1729/france/2009/07/25/1403535/troph%C3%A9e-des-champions-bordeaux-guingamp-les-compos |title=Trophée des champions - Bordeaux-Guingamp, les compos |publisher=goal.com|access-date=1 March 2021 }}
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2008–09{{cite news |url=https://global.espn.com/football/lineups?gameId=262498 |title=Bordeaux vs Vannes |publisher=ESPN |access-date=12 February 2020}}

Red Star

• Championnat National: 2014–15{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Individual

• UNFP Player of the Month: August 2007{{cite news |date=18 September 2007 |title=Bellion élu meilleur joueur du mois d'août |trans-title=Bellion named August Player of the Month |url=http://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/bellion-elu-meilleur-joueur-mois-daout-5724.html |language=fr |website=BFM TV |access-date=23 October 2017}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellion, David}}

Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Sèvres

Category:French men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:AS Cannes players

Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players

Category:Manchester United F.C. players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

Category:OGC Nice players

Category:FC Girondins de Bordeaux players

Category:Red Star FC players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Premier League players

Category:France men's under-21 international footballers

Category:French expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:French Christians

Category:French sportspeople of Senegalese descent

Category:21st-century French sportsmen