Laurent Merlin
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laurent Merlin | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Chivas USA | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
Laurent Merlin ( born September 17th, 1984 in Marseille, France ) is a French youth international currently at MLS team, Chivas USA. Merlin is a centre forward. Merlin started his career as a youngster with the Olympique de Marseille reserve team, where he quickly progressed into the senior squad and earned two caps over two seasons with the seniors. He was then snapped up by Corsica based French league team, AC Ajaccio. Laurent got his first senior goal with the club before being loaned to LB Chateauroux and on his return was sold to Chivas USA.
Laurent Merlin's Career
Olympique de Marseille
At the age of just ten, Laurent was training with the giants of French football Olympique de Marseille. From the youth team there he was able to make a name for himself, and soon found himself in Olympique de Marseille 2, the Marseille reserve team. Whilst at Marseille, Laurent only played in two matches and soon found himself surplus to requirements at l'Ohème.
Transfer to AC Ajaccio
It was in 2004 when Laurent Merlin signed for fellow French Ligue one side, Monaco-based, AC Ajaccio. At Ajaccio, Laurent played twelve games in his first two seasons, ten more than when at Olympique de Marseille, a club at which he'd been a part of the senior squad for two seasons. In these twelve games, he scored one goal.
In the following season, Merlin started just the one single game for Ajaccio, soon becoming another back-up player like he was at Olympique de Marseille. In the early months of 2006, Laurent Merlin was loaned by AC Ajaccio to lower league, French side, LB Chateauroux.
LB Chateauroux
Merlin started three games for Chateauroux, but soon returned to Ajaccio. He would then be able to move to Chivas USA, via other clubs on the way
Moving to America
Laurent Merlin trialled with MLS side, LA Galaxy, before joining fellow American club, Chivas USA. Merlin has started only a handfull of games for the goats, but has nevertheless got an assist.
International career
Merlin possesses an impressive career on the youth, international scene, with caps from Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19 level. He has not yet represented the France senior, national team.