Michaël Ciani

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Michaël Ciani

| image = Mickaël Ciani 2.jpg

| caption =

| fullname = Michaël Henry Ciani{{cite web |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=31672 |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 13 de enero de 2016, en Barcelona |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 13 January 2016, in Barcelona |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190615012613/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=31672 |archive-date=15 June 2019 |language=es}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|4|6|df=y}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur20953.html |title=Michaël Ciani |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=6 April 2025 |language=fr}}

| birth_place = Clichy-la-Garenne, Hauts-de-Seine, France

| height = 1.89 m

| currentclub =

| position = Centre back

| youthyears1 = 1996–2000

| youthclubs1 = ES Colombes

| youthyears2 = 2000–2001

| youthclubs2 = Racing Paris

| years1 = 2001–2003 | clubs1 = Racing Paris | caps1 = 1 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2003–2004 | clubs2 = Charleroi | caps2 = 18 | goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2004–2005 | clubs3 = Auxerre | caps3 = 0 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2005–2006 | clubs4 = Sedan | caps4 = 37 | goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2006–2009 | clubs5 = Lorient | caps5 = 98 | goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2009–2012 | clubs6 = Bordeaux | caps6 = 91 | goals6 = 6

| years7 = 2012–2015 | clubs7 = Lazio | caps7 = 48 | goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2015 | clubs8 = Sporting CP | caps8 = 0 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2015–2016 | clubs9 = Espanyol | caps9 = 3 | goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2016–2017 | clubs10 = Lorient | caps10 = 24 | goals10 = 3

| years11 = 2017–2018 | clubs11 = LA Galaxy | caps11 = 27 | goals11 = 2

| totalcaps = 347

| totalgoals = 21

| nationalyears1 = 2003–2004

| nationalteam1 = France U21

| nationalcaps1 = 5

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2010

| nationalteam2 = France

| nationalcaps2 = 1

| nationalgoals2 = 0

}}

Michaël Henry Ciani (born 6 April 1984) is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Club career

His performances during the 2008–09 season led to increased speculation that Ciani would sign with another club with the player preferring a move to the Premier League over Ligue 1 contenders Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain.[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5372888,00.html Ciani favours Prem switch]

On 28 July 2009, Ciani and Bordeaux reached an agreement on a four-year contract with the Aquitaine-based club paying Lorient €4 million for his services. The defender was recruited by Laurent Blanc as a replacement for the departed Souleymane Diawara who joined Marseille.[http://www.mercato365.com/infos-clubs/bordeaux/article_336889_Bordeaux-Ciani-a-signe.shtml Bordeaux: Ciani a signé]

On 18 July 2015, Ciani reached an agreement on a two-year contract with Sporting CP after his three-year contract with Lazio ended.[http://www.sporting.pt/Noticias/Futebol/Fut_Prof/notfutprof_cianicomunicado_180715_151999.asp Comunicado Sporting SAD: Contratação de Ciani] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721212725/http://www.sporting.pt/Noticias/Futebol/Fut_Prof/notfutprof_cianicomunicado_180715_151999.asp |date=21 July 2015 }} Roughly one month later, however, he signed a two-year deal with RCD Espanyol.[http://www.rcdespanyol.com/ca/actualitat/principi-dacord-per-ciani/_n:1013/ Principi d'acord per Ciani (Agreement in principle for Ciani)]; RCD Espanyol, 16 August 2015 {{in lang|ca}}

On 31 August 2016, after only three matches for the Pericos, Ciani rescinded his contract.[http://www.rcdespanyol.com/ca/actualitat/ciani-deixa-el-club/_n:3475/ Ciani deixa el club (Ciani leaves the club)]; RCD Espanyol, 31 August 2016 {{in lang|ca}}

On 2 September 2017, Ciani was signed by MLS club LA Galaxy as a free agent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2017/09/02/la-galaxy-sign-french-defender-michael-ciani|title=LA Galaxy sign French defender Michael Ciani|date=2 September 2017|work=LA Galaxy|access-date=2 September 2017|language=en}} Ciani scored his first goal for the Galaxy against FC Dallas on 22 October 2017. Ciani was released by LA Galaxy at the end of their 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2018/11/26/la-galaxy-exercise-2019-contract-options-four-players|title=LA Galaxy exercise 2019 contract options on four players|date=26 November 2018|publisher=LAGalaxy.com}}

On 20 October 2019, 35-year old Ciani announced his retirement.[https://www.besoccer.com/new/ciani-draws-a-halt-to-his-career-730025 Ciani draws a halt to his career], besoccer.com 20 October 2019

International career

Ciani made his international debut for France in 2010.[http://www.fff.fr/servfff/historique/historique_new.php?liste=O&id=CIANI%20Micha%EBl CIANI MICHAEL], fff.fr, accessed 11 March 2010