Alex Song

Profile Football Stars | Alex Song | Song was called-up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and was the only Cameroonian named in the Team of the Tournament. Known for his colorful hair dye, Song also possesses a French passport. Song was born in Douala, Cameroon and lost his father at the age of three.

Song joined the Bastia youth team in 2003-04 and became a part of the first team the following season with 31 appearances. Bastia were playing in French Ligue 1 during the time Alex Song had a stint there. Song was Noted for his high versatility  While playing for Bastia, he was selected as a part of French U-16 football team. He later chose to represent Cameroon his country of birth. During his time at Bastia, he attracted attention from numerous clubs, Including Inter, Juventus, Manchester United, Lyon, and Middlesbrough. During his time at Bastia Song made a total of 32 league appearances.

Song impressed Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger as a trialist during Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Austria, and Arsenal secured his services on loan for the 2005-06 season on 11 August 2005. Song made his Premiership debut during Arsenal's 2-0 win against Everton on 19 September 2005 as a substitute. He played in several UEFA Champions League matches and made several Premiership starts near the end of the season, when first team players were injured or being rested. Song again assisted van Persie who scored a volley, during a match against Everton roomates also proved to be the only goal as the 125th anniversary game ended 1-0 to Arsenal. Song also assisting Showed his skills in the following matches: In an FA Cup match against Leeds United, Song played a wonderful through ball past Leeds United's four returning players to the legend, Thierry Henry. Song played a wonderful overhead pass to Theo Walcott and claimed an assist against Aston Villa on 24 March 2012. Arsenal went on to win the game 3-0.

Song was first capped by Cameroon in 2005. He was named in the Cameroon squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He played for Cameroon in their first group match, a 4-2 defeat against holders Egypt; he replaced Stéphane Mbia at half time, joining his cousin Rigobert on the pitch.  Song was called-up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and was the only Cameroonian named in the Team of the Tournament.  Song was included in the Cameroonian squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He did not Appear in his side's opening loss to Japan, but played the full 90 in Cameroon's disappointing 2-1 loss to Denmark.

Personal information
Full name Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong
Date of birth 9 September 1987 (age 24)
Place of birth Douala, Cameroon
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Midfielder

Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 25

Youth career
2001-2004 Bastia

Senior career
Years Team Apps
2004-2006 Bastia 32 (0)
2005-2006 Arsenal (loan) 5 (0)
2006-2012 Arsenal 138 (7)
2007 Charlton Athletic (loan) 12 (0)
2012-Barcelona 0 (0)

National team
2002-2003 France U16 6 (0)
2003-2004 Cameroon U17 3 (0)
2008 Cameroon U23 3 (0)
2005 Cameroon 30 (0)

Honours

Club
Arsenal
     UEFA Champions League
         runners-up (1): 2005-06
     Football League Cup
         runners-up (2): 2006-07, 2010-11

International
Cameroon U17
     African U-17 Championship: 2003

Cameroon
     African Cup of Nations runners-up: 2008
     2011 LG Cup (Morocco)

Individual
     Africa Cup of Nations Best XI: 2008, 2010