Sébastien Pocognoli

Infobox Football biography
playername = Sébastien Pocognoli


fullname = Sébastien Pocognoli
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|8|1
cityofbirth = Seraing
countryofbirth = Belgium
height = height|m=1.82
position = Left Back / Left Winger
currentclub = AZ Alkmaar
clubnumber = 5
youthyears = 2002
2002–2003
youthclubs = Standard Liège
KRC Genk
years = 2003–2007
2007–
clubs = KRC Genk
AZ Alkmaar
caps(goals) = 46 (1)
28 (2)
nationalyears =
2008–
nationalteam = Belgium U21
Belgium
nationalcaps(goals) =
01 (0)
pcupdate = 14:10, 18 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 14:10, 14 September 2008 (UTC)

Sébastien Pocognoli (born August 1, 1987 in Seraing) is a Belgian football player of Italian origin [ [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/players/player=74681/index.html UEFA profile] ] who currently plays for AZ Alkmaar. His nickname is "Poco".

Career

Pocognoli began his career with Standard Liège, but left at the age of fifteen to join KRC Genk. In April 2004, he made his first-team debut aged just sixteen, and broke into the first-team in 2006 due to the injuries faced in Genk that season. He is known for his attacks from the wing, in the style of a left wing back, and also has a powerful shot

On 22 June 2007 he signed a five-year deal with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar ["AZ.nl", [http://www.az.nl/index.php?module=news&articleID=21122 Pocognoli voor vijf jaar naar AZ] ] .

A transfer to the English sides Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur has recently been rumoured.

International career

Pocognoli was a member of the Belgium under-21 team, and was part of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. Pocognoli helped them finish 2nd in their group, ahead of Portugal after scoring a crucial equalizer against the Netherlands, to book their place in the semi-final against Serbia, which they lost 2-0. Nevertheless Belgium is through to the Olympic football in Beijing in 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil.php?id=22407 Profile]