Aymeric Laporte is an international professional soccer star currently playing Manchester City Football Club of England as a center back. His agility, speed, and strength at the back reckon him as one of the powerful defenders in football.
The defender made history when Athletic Bilbao set aside the club’s strict custom about signing foreign players to sign him. He became the 2nd French player after Bixtente Lizarazu to feature for the Spanish club; plays 220 competitive games.
All odds were against him playing for the French National Team. However, fortune smiled on him when he was granted citizenship by Spanish authorities. Now he is eligible to play for the Spanish national team, as he has been named in the country’s 2020 Euro squad.
Who Is Aymeric Laporte?
Aymeric Laporte was born on 27th May 1994 in Agen, New Aquitaine in France by his sport-loving parents. He grew up with the desire to play alongside his brother Leo Laporte, who also plays football. He is currently 30 years old.
Having being raised in a family that loves sport, Laporte developed an interest in soccer and rugby. He even played both games when he was just 5.
The young lad started building his soccer skills at SU Agen Football before he got the invitation to join Athletic Bilbao. But his age put him in a disadvantaged position as he was too tender to journey out of France. They agreed where he was allowed to play for a season at Aviron Bayonnais FC.
After it became convenient for him, he traveled to the City of Bilbao in Northern Spain where he officially joined the club’s youth training academy in 2010. He beat the club’s tight rule about signing foreign players whose Basque’s origins are not well defined. Before debuting the club in November 2012, the defender featured for them in the farm and reserve teams.
Since he began playing the club’s senior side, the defender’s achievements include a La Liga Team of the Year in 2013 and a Supercopa de España in 2019.
He made a £57 million move from Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City FC in January 2018 and wore the number 14 jersey. He was part of the treble-winning squad of the English club in the 2018/19 season.
Now he is on course for the first major European trophy of his career as Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League Final on 29th May 2021.
Laporte’s Switch To La Roja
Aymeric Laporte took France by surprise after making a switch to La Roja. The switch became public following the decision of Spain’s Council of Ministers to grant automatic citizenship to the defender. Before the latest development, the player represented France at various youth levels 23 times but never got the chance to feature for the senior team.
Soccer lovers and fans in France criticized the defender’s decision to play for Spain. This follows his earlier remarks that it would be an honor to wear the blue shirt.
The fine center-back has been invited to feature for the French senior side on 3 different occasions but, didn’t get to play. He was last listed in 2019, but couldn’t join because of an injury.
As it stands now, his name is listed in the Squad that would represent Spain in Euro 2020.
Also, Read Nathan Ake- 7 Unknown Details About Him And His Steady Rise
How Rich Is Aymeric Laporte?
The defender’s estimated net worth is yet to be updated and revealed. But, there is every certainty that he is rich considering the deals he has signed with clubs he has played in the past and present.
Meanwhile, he earns a weekly salary of £120,000 and £6.2 million annually. His current contract expires in June 2025.
There are other interesting facts you need to know about him. Here are 7 of them.
7 Interesting Facts About Aymeric Laporte
1. He Is From A Family Of Sports Lovers/Players
The defender comes from a family that loves sport. It is on record that his father played rugby, while his mother played football. His brother Leo Laporte currently plays for Deportivo Alaves Youth in Spain.
2. Highest-Paid Defender In Manchester City FC
The defender’s £57 million moves made him one of the most expensive defenders in the world. Currently, he is the highest-paid defender in his club, receiving £12,000 a week, and £6.2 million a year in wages.
3. Sara Botello Is His Girlfriend
The defender has an exquisite woman by his side. She is Sara Botello a professional Spanish dancer. They first met while he was playing for Athletic Bilbao in Spain.
Asides from dancing, the stunning Botello is also a cheerleader.
4. The Defender Suffered Many Injuries
Though still within his prime playing stage, the defender has been injured at different times in his career. Some injuries include; a torn meniscus in 2013, and a broken fibula, and dislocated right ankle in 2016
5. Laporte Is A Huge Fan of Erstwhile Arsenal And France Forward Sylvain Wiltord
The defender developed a strong liking for Sylvain Wiltord while he was playing for Bordeaux. Wiltord is famous for winning 2 EPL titles and 2 FA Cups with Arsenal.
6. His Height And Weight
The powerful defender is tall. He stands at a height of 6feet 3 inches (1.91m). His height complements his body weight of 85kg.
7. Laporte Has Dual Citizenship
Since he was born and raised in France, he is French by nationality. However, Spain recently registered him as a Spanish citizen. So, he now holds dual citizenship.
Complete profile of Aymeric Laporte
| Aymeric Laporte | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alphonse Laporte |
| Date of Birth | 27 May 1994 |
| Age | 30 |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Birth place | Agen, France |
| Nationality | French, Spanish |
| Ethnicity | Basque descent |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Playing Position | Defender |
| Clubs | 2000–2009 SU Agen 2009–2010 Bayonne 2010–2011 Athletic Bilbao 2011–2012 Basconia 2012 Athletic Bilbao B 2012–2018 Athletic Bilbao 2018– Manchester City 2011 France U17 2011–2012 France U18 2012–2013 France U19 2013–2016 France U21 2021– Spain |
| Father | Mr. Laporte |
| Mother | Mrs. Laporte |
| Siblings | Léo Laporte |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Spouse/Partner | NA |
| Girlfriend | Sara Botello |
| Kids | NA |
| Religion | Christian |
| Estimated Net Worth: | Under review |
| Source of net worth | Football career |
| Height | Feet- (6ft 3in) Meters- 1.91m Centimeters-191m |
| Weight | 85kg |
| Eye color | Hazel |
| Hair color | Dark brown |
| Social media | Twitter |
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