Louis Saha was born in Paris on August 8, 1978.
He began his football career with FC Soisy-Andilly-Margency and later moved to Clairefontaine. At the age of 15 he started playing in the Metz youth teams and two years later signed his first professional contract. He debuted in Ligue 1 on August 8 1997 in the match against Bordeaux. He scored after 60 seconds. After a first season with 26 appearances, in his second he found difficulty in getting playing time (just 6 games) so in January 1999 he was sent on loan to Newcastle. He did not play much there either (12 games), but the experience was a good one and when he returned to Metz for the 1999-00 season he made 35 appearances with 12 goals.
In 2000 he signed for Fulham who were in Division 1. They managed to get promoted to the Premier League and he stayed three and a half seasons in London with 142 appearances with 63 goals.
In January 2004 the big move to Manchester United. In four and a half years he played 124 games (42 goals), won two premierships in 2006-07 and 2007-08, a League Cup in 2005-06 and two Community Shields in 2007 and 2008. His stay in Manchester was hampered by numerous injuries which did not allow him to play more.
In 2008 he signed for Everton on a pay-as-you play deal. He was not exactly fit when he joined so he offered to train without being paid while he was injured. In three and a half years he played 115 games for the Toffees with 35 goals. In 2009 Everton played the FA Cup final against Chelsea. He scored after 25 seconds, the fastest goal in a Cup Final. Everton, however, lost. Having had numerous injuries, and not being as competitive, in January 2012 he signed for Tottenham but played little, as he then did in the six months with Sunderland. His last attempt was with Lazio. He signed for the Biancocelesti in January 2013 but he was way past his prime and his contribution was minimal, just six appearances. He did however win the Coppa Italia of 2012-13, though not playing a single match in the competition.
At the end of his stay in Rome he retired.
Saha has 20 caps for France with 4 goals. He played two games in Euro 2004 in Portugal and three in the 2006 World Cup in Germany when France were beaten by Italy in the final on penalties.
He was a good forward in his prime, but arrived at Lazio a little bit too late in his career.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Serie Aappearances |
2012-13 | 6 |
Sources