Jason Koumas: Difference between revisions
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| nationalteam = [[Wales national football team|Wales]] |
| nationalteam = [[Wales national football team|Wales]] |
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| nationalcaps(goals) = {{0}} |
| nationalcaps(goals) = {{0}}24 {{0}}(5) |
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| pcupdate = 17:00, 19 August 2007 (UTC) |
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Revision as of 09:04, 13 September 2007
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jason Koumas | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Wigan Athletic | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2007 | |||
Jason Koumas (born September 25, 1979 in Wrexham) is a professional football player for Premier League outfit Wigan Athletic. Formerly of Tranmere Rovers, Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion, he is a current Welsh international.
Koumas operates as a midfield playmaker, creating goals for others as well as scoring many himself. He was selected in both the 2005-06 and 2006-07 Football League Championship team of the season.
Career
Club career
Koumas (Greek Ιασωνας Κούμας) is of Greek Cypriot descent. He played youth football at the Liverpool Academy with players such as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen. However, he did not sign Youth Training Scheme forms with the club, instead opting to join Tranmere Rovers.
Koumas made his professional debut for Tranmere Rovers in the 1998-99 season. A series of impressive performances over the next four years won him many plaudits, including a place in the PFA Division Two team of the year for 2001-02.[1] Koumas established himself as a talented youngster with immense potential. In August 2002, this potential was spotted by then West Bromwich Albion manager, Gary Megson, who paid Rovers a fee of £2.25m to secure the services of the precocious play maker.[2]
A successful first season at Premiership level, including sensational solo goals against Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, saw Koumas win the club's Player of the Season award.[3] However, this wasn't enough to prevent Albion from suffering relegation to the Football League. Koumas inspired the Baggies promotion back to the Premiership in 2004, winning the First Division player of the month award for November 2003,[4] as well as being named in the First Division team of the year.[5] In the summer of 2004, Koumas signed a new contract with Albion,[6] but during the following season fell out with new boss Bryan Robson. Robson stated that he was "disappointed" with Koumas's attitude and placed him on the transfer list.[7] At the start of the 2005-06 season, Koumas was loaned out to Cardiff City.[8] This move proved an immediate success, with Koumas coming off the bench to score on his debut against Leeds United. Throughout the remainder of the season, Koumas consistently turned in talismanic, man-of-the-match winning performances, scoring 13 times in 44 appearances and earning himself hero status amongst the Bluebirds faithful as well as the club's Player of the Year award and a place in the Championship's PFA team of the season.[9]
Cardiff City then attempted to negotiate a transfer fee for Koumas before the start of the 2006-2007 season, however they failed to come to an agreement with West Brom. Koumas was effectively on strike throughout the negotiations and refused to return to the Hawthorns, even resorting to training on his own away from the club. On August 23 Koumas made a massive U-turn in his West Bromwich Albion career by signing a new three year deal at the club.[10] His club career was then rejuvenated under new manager Tony Mowbray, becoming a first team regular again, and put in several man of the match performances during 2006-2007. Koumas was named the Championship player of the year at the Football League Awards in March 2007,[11] and was also honoured in April with a place in the Championship team of the year.[12]
In July 2007 West Brom agreed a fee of 5.3 million pounds from Wigan Athletic, stating that it was a head turning offer. Koumas completed the move to Wigan on July 10.[13]
International career
The son of a Cypriot chip shop owner, Koumas was eligible to play for both Cyprus and Wales. When he received call ups for both countries, he opted for the latter. Koumas has played 22 times for his country, since making his international debut against Ukraine in 2001. He was part of Mark Hughes's Welsh team which narrowly missed out on qualification for Euro 2004, losing 1-0 to Russia in the play-offs.
His international career has thus far been blighted by his persistent failure to turn up to training. Most recently, pulling out of a squad get-together in San Sebastian in May 2006. However, manager John Toshack accepted his reasons, and Koumas himself vowed to improve his poor attendance record.
He exploded back onto the international scene with three goals in two matches, one against Cyprus in October 2006 which set Wales on their way to a 3-1 victory, and a spectacular brace in November 2006 against Liechtenstein which saw Wales run out comfortable 4-0 winners. John Toshack has since announced that Koumas will be one of his key components as Wales attempt to qualify for Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010.
Notes
- ^ "Double joy for Zamora". BBC Sport. 2002-04-15. Retrieved 2007-04-25.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "West Brom tie up Koumas deal". BBC Sport. 2002-08-29. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas wins West Brom award". BBC Sport. 2003-04-29. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas named player of the month". BBC Sport. 2003-12-03. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Henry retains PFA crown". BBC Sport. 2004-04-25. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas commits to Baggies". BBC Sport. 2004-07-15. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "West Brom put Koumas up for sale". BBC Sport. 2005-05-13. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas seals Cardiff loan switch". BBC Sport. 2005-07-27. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Welsh stars in team of the year". BBC Sport. 2006-04-24. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas signs new Baggies contract". BBC Sport. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Koumas handed Championship award". BBC Sport. 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC Sport. 2007-04-22. Retrieved 2007-04-23.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Wigan complete signing of Koumas". BBC Sport. 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Jason Koumas at Soccerbase
- Jason Koumas profile on the official Wigan Athletic website