Sylvain Distin

Sylvain Distin (born 16 December, 1977 in Bagnolet, France) is a French footballer who is currently captain of Manchester City.

Distin the half brother of fellow footballer Nicholas Anelka started his career first played for French non league side Joue-les-Tours, moving to Paris Saint-Germain a season later. His time at PSG was shortlived, as after a year Distin moved again, in a loan move to Newcastle United. Following the loan spell, Newcastle wished to sign Distin permanently, but Distin instead opted to sign for Manchester City as he wished to play in his preferred position of central defence (Distin had mainly been used as a left sided defender as Newcastle). Consistent performances in his first Manchester City season resulted in Distin being named Manchester City's Player of the Year for the 2002/03 season. At the start of the 2003/04 season Distin was named captain of Manchester City following the retirement of Ali Benarbia.

Not known for his goals, but his brilliant strength on and off the ball and his excellent defending skills, Distin is one of the first names on Stuart "Psycho" Pearce's list for Manchester City and has spent four seasons there scoring three times.

In 2005 Distin was named by Pele as the "greatest central defender" in Europe, winning they Sorbonne award, for the best French Player in England for the 2nd year in a row and is pressing for an international recall.