Arnaud Maire (born March 6, 1979) is a French former professional footballer who played as a defender. Primarily a centre-back, he spent the majority of his career in the French second division, Ligue 2, making over 200 appearances.
Biography and Career
Born in Auxerre, France, Maire began his professional career with FC Istres. He made his debut with the club and quickly established himself as a reliable defender.
- FC Istres (1998–2002): Maire started his senior career here, gaining experience in the lower professional divisions of French football.
- US Créteil-Lusitanos (2002–2006): He moved to Créteil, where he became a more prominent figure in their defense in Ligue 2. He played consistently for four seasons.
- Dijon FCO (2006–2012): This was perhaps the most significant period of Maire's career. He joined Dijon in 2006 and became a key player and captain for the club. He was instrumental in their historic promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2011–2012 season. While Dijon ultimately returned to Ligue 2 after one season, Maire captained the team during their top-flight campaign. He left the club in 2012 after 192 league appearances.
- AC Arles-Avignon (2012–2014): After leaving Dijon, Maire joined AC Arles-Avignon, also in Ligue 2. He continued to play a defensive role for two seasons before retiring from professional football in 2014.
Maire was known for his leadership on the field, his strong defensive tackling, and his experience, which he brought to every team he played for. He made a total of 267 appearances in Ligue 2 throughout his career, along with 29 appearances in Ligue 1.
Playing Style
Arnaud Maire was primarily a central defender, known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and leadership qualities. He was a disciplined player who rarely made rash challenges and was adept at organizing the defense. His experience was often cited as a valuable asset to his teams.
Career Statistics (Summary)
| Club | Seasons | League Apps (Goals) |
|---|---|---|
| FC Istres | 1998–2002 | 30 (0) |
| US Créteil-Lusitanos | 2002–2006 | 129 (1) |
| Dijon FCO | 2006–2012 | 192 (7) |
| AC Arles-Avignon | 2012–2014 | 55 (1) |
| Total | 406 (9) |
Note: Includes Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 appearances only. Cup competitions not included in this summary.
References
- Information compiled from various football databases and sports news archives.
Categories:
- French footballers
- Living people
- 1979 births
- FC Istres players
- US Créteil-Lusitanos players
- Dijon FCO players
- AC Arles-Avignon players
- Ligue 1 players
- Ligue 2 players
- Football defenders