GUY DEMEL

Born: 13 June 1981, Orsay, France
Former clubs: Nimes Olympique, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Dortmund II, Hamburger SV

A versatile right-sided defender or midfielder who is also capable of playing at centre-back, Guy Demel has played professionally in France and Germany while also spending a year with Arsenal early in his career.

Capped more than 20 times by Ivory Coast, France-born Demel came through the ranks at Nimes Olympique before moving to Arsenal and subsequently enjoying success during a four-year spell with Borussia Dortmund.

The powerful player established himself in the Ivory Coast national side during six seasons with Hamburger SV, where he played alongside the likes of Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart and former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

2011/12

Joined West Ham United on a two-year contract with the option of a third year from Hamburger SV on 31 August 2011...Appeared in the development squad's 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on 12 September 2011, only to suffer a hamstring injury...Made his first-team debut for West Ham United in a 2-0 npower Championship victory at Middlesbrough on 29 November 2011...Suffered a thigh injury in the 3-0 npower Championship defeat at Reading on 10 December 2011...Returned to first-team duty in the 4-0 npower Championship victory at Barnsley on 6 April 2012...Started five of West Ham United's closing six npower Championship fixtures...Completed his first 90 minutes in a West Ham United shirt in the 2-1 final-day victory over Hull City at the Boleyn Ground on 28 April 2012...Started both legs of the npower Championship Play-Off semi-final victory over Cardiff City, assisting Ricardo Vaz Te's goal in the second leg at the Boleyn Ground.

International career

Was in the Ivory Coast squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he did not play...Was involved as the Elephants finished as runners-up at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2006...Appeared at the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations...Was called-up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, starting the group-stage fixtures against Brazil and Portugal.

Before West Ham United

Began his professional career with Ligue 2 club Nimes Olympique, making one league appearance before being snapped up by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in 2000...Spent a single season with the Gunners before heading for German giants Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga title and reached the UEFA Cup final in his first season at the club...Made 41 first-team appearances over four seasons at Signal Iduna Park - including one in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup - plus 27 more for Borussia Dortmund II...Signed for Hamburger SV in 2005, quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular, appearing at both right-back, on the right wing or in a central defensive midfield role...Made 199 appearances for Hamburger SV, including an impressive 52 in European competitions, scoring four goals...Finished in the top-eight of the Bundesliga in each of Demel's six seasons at Hamburger SV, helping them to compete in the UEFA Cup, UEFA Europa League and the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League.

Any other business

Has his own website here...