Martin Djetou


Martin Okelo Djetou is a French former footballer who played as a defender.

Club career

Djetou was born in Brogohlo, in the Ivory Coast. His clubs included Strasbourg, Monaco, Parma, Fulham, Nice, Bolton Wanderers and Istres and SC Schiltigheim. At Monaco he was part of the squad that won Ligue 1 in 1997 and 2000.
Djetou made his name as a powerful defensive midfielder for Monaco, most notably dominating a Champions League quarter final against Manchester United in 1998. Following that game Djetou - who also played in defence - was linked with a host of top European clubs, but chose Parma as his next destination.
Prior to his brief spell at Bolton, his only other experience in English football came by the way of a two-year loan spell at Fulham where he amassed over half a century of appearances but a permanent deal could not be agreed with Italian club Parma.
In November 2006 he was awarded a trial at English club Leeds United but was not offered a permanent deal. After his spell with Bolton, he moved back to France, joining up with Istres. However, after some sluggish performances, he was released from his contract in 2006.
In 2007, he stopped his professional career, started to play for SC Schiltigheim and retired in summer 2008.

International career

The Ivorian-born Djetou has won full international honours with France, the country he grew up and was member of the Football at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996. He was in France's preliminary squad of 28 players for the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil. However, he was one of 6 players axed by head coach Aime Jacquet just before the tournament began. France went on to be victorious in the tournament and become national heroes.

Personal life

In 2007, Djetou opened a beauty parlour, in the town of Illkirch.

Honours

;Strasbourg
;Monaco