Johan Djourou

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Danon Issouf Johannes Djourou Gbadjere ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; born 18 January 1987), known as Johan Djourou, is a Swiss former professional footballer who played as a centre back.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to his profile on the website of his former club Arsenal, Djourou possessed "pace, power and whole-hearted commitment" in addition to his versatility.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="height">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He played as a defensive midfielder in his youth for former club Étoile Carouge, but when he arrived at Arsenal, he was converted to a central defender. He occasionally filled in at full back for Arsenal and played several games in central midfield while on loan to Birmingham City. He spent time on loan at Hannover 96 in 2013 before joining fellow Bundesliga team Hamburger SV, initially on loan, later that year. After three years with Hamburg he went on to play for Turkish Super Lig club Antalyaspor, SPAL of Serie A, the Swiss Super League's Sion and Neuchâtel Xamax, and finally Nordsjælland in the Danish Superliga.

Djourou represented Switzerland from 2006 to 2018, earning 76 caps. He was called up by the nation at three FIFA World Cups and two UEFA European Championships.

Club career

Early career

Djourou was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast,<ref name=Hugman/><ref name="Djourou Personal Life">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to Ivorian parents Joachim and Angeline, and was later adopted by his father's first wife, Danièle, a Swiss woman.<ref name="Djourou The Independent">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou later acknowledged that he has two mothers in his life.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Djourou Interview January 2016"/>

They moved to Geneva when he was 17 months old.<ref name="Djourou The Independent"/> According to his father, Djourou began playing football when he was a baby, saying: "I would grab balls in stores and play football in the store."<ref name="Djourou The Independent"/> Djourou enrolled at the Payerne Training Center when he was 13 and then, in 2002, Djourou joined local second division side Étoile Carouge as a midfielder at 15.<ref name="Djourou Personal Life"/><ref name="Djourou The Independent"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He joined Arsenal on 1 August 2003.<ref name="Djourou Personal Life"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Arsenal

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Djourou taking a throw-in against Reading

Djourou made his first senior start for Arsenal in a 3–1 victory against Everton in the League Cup, having made his first appearance after 89 minutes of the corresponding match in the previous round against Manchester City on 27 October 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He later made three appearances at the end of the 2004–05 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 21 January 2005, Djourou signed a two-year contract extension with the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

His first appearance of the 2005–06 season came on 29 November 2005 against Reading in the Round of 16 of the League Cup, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then played in the third round clash with Cardiff City.<ref>Template:Cite news
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou made his full Premiership debut for Arsenal in the 7–0 victory over Middlesbrough on 14 January 2006, playing at centre-back with Philippe Senderos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He started Arsenal's FA Cup fourth round clash with Bolton Wanderers as part of a makeshift defence, a game in which Arsenal lost 1–0.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 2006, Djourou played in the league games against West Ham United, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers.<ref>Template:Cite news
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After a five match absence, he returned to the first team, coming on as a substitute against Aston Villa in Arsenal's 5–0 victory, replacing the injured Emmanuel Eboué.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou then started in a league match against Portsmouth on 12 April 2006, a game which also saw the comeback of Sol Campbell, in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make twelve appearances in all competitions.

File:Clarence Seedorf, Johan Djourou & Thomas Vermaelen (4867669744).jpg
Djourou about to tackle A.C. Milan's Clarence Seedorf

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Manager Arsène Wenger said that he would be planning on using Djourou in the first team ahead of the new season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He started the whole game in the opening game of the season in Arsenal's first ever match at Emirates Stadium in a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou then played in both legs against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, as Arsenal won 5–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then helped Arsenal keep two separate clean sheets; which the first one occurred between 17 September 2006 and 23 September 2006 and the second one occurred between 14 October 2006 and 22 October 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 1 November 2006, it was announced that Djourou signed a six-year contract extension with the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly after, however, he missed four matches, due to international commitment and competitions, he returned to the first team against Fulham on 29 November 2006, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute, in a 2–1 loss.<ref>Template:Cite news
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was followed by keeping two consecutive clean sheets against Tottenham Hotspur and FC Porto.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next two months saw Djourou make only two appearances due to being sidelined with injuries.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 11 February 2007 when he returned to the first team against Wigan Athletic, starting a match and played 51 minutes before being substituted, in a 2–1 win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, his return was short-lived when Djourou suffered a knee injury that kept him out throughout February.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 3 March 2007 when he returned to the starting line-up, in a 2–1 win against Reading.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After not playing for two months, Djourou returned to the starting line-up in the last game of the season against Portsmouth, playing in the defensive midfield position, as Arsenal drew 0–0.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the end of the 2006–07 season, he went on to make thirty appearances in all competitions.

Loan to Birmingham City

On 10 August 2007, Djourou signed for Birmingham City on loan for five months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He made his debut two days later against the previous season's FA Cup and League Cup winners Chelsea. This was a closely fought contest in which Chelsea ran out eventual 3–2 winners, in which Djourou cleared off the line from Frank Lampard to keep Birmingham City in the game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He then helped the club keep two consecutive clean sheets between 15 September 2007 and 22 September 2007 against gifted Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou continued to play for Birmingham consistently through his loan period until 22 December 2007, when he gifted Bolton Wanderers' Nicolas Anelka a goal via an errant throw-in.This marked his last appearance for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Although Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was keen to retain him, Djourou returned to Arsenal at the end of his loan spell, as cover for Kolo Touré and Alex Song who were playing in the 2008 African Cup of Nations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> By the time he returned to his parent club, Djourou made 13 appearances in all competitions.

Return to Arsenal

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Djourou at the 2010 Emirates Cup

Shortly after returning from a loan spell at Birmingham City, Djourou made his first Arsenal's appearance of the 2007–08 season, coming against Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals of the League Cup, and played 45 minutes before being substituted at half time, as they drew 1–1.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> However, he suffered a groin injury that saw him sidelined for three months.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Although Djourou returned to the substitute bench in mid–April, it wasn't until on 28 April 2008 when he returned to the first team, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute, in a 6–2 win against Derby County.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the end of the 2007–08 season, Djourou made three appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.

In May 2008, Djourou stated that he would be willing to partner Cesc Fàbregas in midfield after the departure of Mathieu Flamini to A.C. Milan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Instead, he played in the centre of defence as first choice backup following the departure of fellow Swiss defender Philippe Senderos to A.C. Milan on a season-long loan.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou made his first appearance of the 2008–09 season, starting the whole game, and kept a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win against West Bromwich Albion in the opening game of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He played in both legs against FC Twente in UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, as Arsenal won 6–0 on aggregate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 22 September 2008, Djourou signed a new long-term contract.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following the absence of William Gallas, he started in the next seven matches for the club.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During his first team run ins, Djourou scored an own goal against Chelsea on 30 November 2008, but Arsenal managed to catch up and went on to win 2–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This lasted until he tweaked his calf in the warm-up and dropped out at the last minute prior to a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa on 22 December 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After missing two matches as a result, Djourou returned to the starting line-up against Plymouth Argyle in the third round of the FA Cup and helped Arsenal win 3–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since returning from injury, he found himself in and out of the first team for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, on 11 April 2009, in a league match against Wigan Athletic, Djourou suffered a knee injury which later required surgery.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> But he made a recovery from a knee injury and returned to the first team, and came on as a second-half substitute, in a 2–0 win against Middlesbrough on 26 April 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou later made two more appearances later in the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He went on to make 29 appearances in all competitions.

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Djourou about to chase the ball while playing for Arsenal in 2012

After Touré's departure to Manchester City, Djourou had a chance to break into the starting eleven.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he suffered a knee injury while on international duty.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It was announced on 6 September 2009 that Djourou's recovery period would take an estimated of six to eight months; Arsène Wenger stated: "He will have to be patient this season."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After returning to training in April, Djourou made his return from injury, coming on as a second-half substitute the injured Mikaël Silvestre, in the 4–0 win over Fulham in Arsenal's final game of the season, in what turned out to be his only appearance in the 2009–10 campaign.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Djourou said he's expecting competitions following the new signing of Laurent Koscielny.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou appeared two times in the first two months of the season, and was placed on the substitute bench as a result.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Due to Thomas Vermaelen's injury at the beginning of the 2010–11 campaign, Djourou received more opportunities to play.<ref>Template:Cite news
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou then played a role when he set up two goals, in a 5–1 win against Shakhtar Donetsk on 19 October 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wenger admitted that he rotated the Swiss international because he missed an entire year and did not want to lose him.<ref>Template:Cite news
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Djourou became Arsenal's first-choice centre-back, playing in all eight games in January 2011, during which time Arsenal conceded no Premier League goals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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Template:Cite news</ref> His performance was praised by the club's captain Cesc Fàbregas.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He played in both legs of the semi-finals against Ipswich Town to help Arsenal win 3–1 on aggregate to reach the Football League Cup Final.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou scored his first goal for Arsenal on 5 February, in the third minute of a 4–4 draw against Newcastle United at St. James' Park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He, once again, helped the club's defence keep three consecutive clean sheets between 12 February 2011 and 5 March 2011 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City and Sunderland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 27 February 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Laurent Koscielny against Birmingham City in the 2011 Football League Cup Final held at Wembley Stadium in a 2–1 defeat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 12 March 2011, while playing in the quarter finals of the FA Cup away to Manchester United at Old Trafford, Djourou suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in a collision with teammate Bacary Sagna.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou was carried from the field and Wenger later confirmed that he would be unavailable for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. This came as a major blow to Arsenal's title challenge, up until then having not lost a Premier League game with him on the field. As well as that Djourou had played a major part in defence in cover of the injured Vermaelen.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou recovered more quickly than expected, returning to play the whole of the 1–1 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on 17 April 2011, playing alongside Koscielny, and the North London Derby three days later.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> On 24 April 2011, against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, he conceded a penalty (missed by Kevin Davies) in a 2–1 defeat which effectively ended Arsenal's title hopes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2010–11 season, he played in a total of 37 matches for the Gunners in all competitions. Local newspaper Islington Gazette gave Djourou's performance 8/10, saying: "Having missed over a year with a serious knee injury, his return coincided with a defensive shortage and he stepped into the breach admirably, not being on the losing side in the league until late April, when his form did start to fade. Has done enough to be first choice."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Djourou said he would fight for his place in the first team, having recovered from a shoulder injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Having described Arsenal's failure to not reach the UEFA Champions League group stage as 'unthinkable', Djourou played in both legs against Udinese and helped the club win 3–1 on aggregate to reach further in the Group Stage.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> However, on 28 August 2011, he played in the centre of a young Arsenal seriously weakened by injuries for a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Arsenal lost 8–2, in what was their heaviest defeat since 1896, a 115-year record.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Three days later Arsenal announced the signing of experienced German defender Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, and Djourou's first team opportunities became more limited in the centre-back position.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> As a result, he began to receive first team football by playing in the right-back position for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Despite being involved in the first team, Djourou, at times, found himself out of the starting eleven, due to competitions that saw him placed on the substitute bench and his own injury concern.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> In a 2–1 loss against Fulham on 2 January 2012, he was sent off for a second bookable offence.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> After serving a one match suspension, Djourou returned to the starting line-up against Swansea City on 15 January 2012, and set up Arsenal's second goal of the game, in a 3–2 loss.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> The following month saw him signed a three-year contract extension until summer 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> The second half of the season continued to see his first team opportunities limited.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> During the 2011–12 season, he started 19 times for Arsenal and made 8 substitute appearances.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Djourou was told by Manager Ottmar Hitzfeld that he must leave Arsenal in hopes of getting a call up from Switzerland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This led Djourou to comment over his future at the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> However, he announced his intention to stay at Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Unfortunately, Djourou's first team opportunities at the club continued to be limited and only appeared two times in the first half of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> As a result, Djourou was told by Wenger that he can leave Arsenal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite leaving the club, Djourou reflected on his time at Arsenal, saying: "I loved him, first of all to have the chance to spend that time with him, for him to build me. He built many players but first of all he gave me the chance to express myself. I think what I liked about the boss was the way he handled every case, you would say it was similar but also so different."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Loan to Hannover

On 3 January 2013, Djourou confirmed that he was set to move to Bundesliga club Hannover on loan until the end of the season, with no option to buy included in the deal. He said, "I joined the club who wanted me the most. At my age, the priority is to play regularly. To do this, I did not hesitate to refuse offers with the most exclusive clubs who made important financial efforts."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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Djourou made his Hannover 96 debut, starting the whole game, in a 5–4 loss against Schalke 04 on 18 January 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since joining the club, he quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in the centre-back position.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou then helped Hannover 96 keep two consecutive clean sheets between 30 March 2013 and 7 April 2013 against FC Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> This lasted until he tore his hamstring that saw him miss three matches.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until the last game of the season against Fortuna Düsseldorf when Djourou returned to the starting line-up and kept a clean sheet, in a 3–0 win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2012–13 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions. Following this, his time at Hannover 96 came to an end and he returned to his parent club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Hamburger SV

File:Johan Djourou 2014.jpg
Djourou training prior to a Hamburger SV's match in 2014

On 1 July 2013, Djourou undertook a medical before signing for Bundesliga side Hamburger SV on loan for a season. It was reported that this time, the deal did include an option to buy. He said: "I'm very happy now that everything is sorted. HSV are a big club, with a lot of quality and great fans. I am convinced that this is the right step for my career."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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However, his start to his Hamburger SV's career suffered a setback when Djourou suffered a groin injury that saw him miss the first three league matches of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 31 August 2013 when he made his debut for the club, starting the match and played 72 minutes before being substituted, in a 4–0 win against Eintracht Braunschweig.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since making his debut for Hamburger SV, Djourou started in the next six matches for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> In a match against Stuttgart on 20 October 2013, he scored an own goal, as Hamburger SV drew 3–3.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, in a follow-up match against SC Freiburg, Djourou suffered a groin injury once again and was substituted in the 22nd minute, resulting a 3–0 win for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was announced that he would be out for several weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 24 November 2013 when he returned to the starting line-up against Hannover 96, and helped Hamburger SV win 3–1.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Having started in the next five matches, Djourou tore his muscle fibre that kept him out for a month.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 8 February 2014 when he returned to the starting line-up, in a 3–0 win against Hertha BSC.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since returning from injury, Djourou regained his first team place for the next two months.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> This lasted until he, once again, injured his adductors while warming up prior to a 3–1 loss against Wolfsburg on 19 April 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Despite this, Djourou returned to the first team and played in both legs of the relegation play-off matches against Greuther Fürth, where a 1–1 draw kept Hamburg retaining their Bundesliga status via an away goal.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2013–14 season, he went on to make 26 appearances in all competitions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As the 2013–14 season was coming to an end, Hamburg confirmed on 2 April 2014 that they had activated the buying clause and signed Djourou on a permanent deal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the first round of the DFB–Pokal against Energie Cottbus and played 120 minutes with a 2–2 draw as a final score, resulting in a penalty shootout; and successfully converted the penalty in the shootout to help Hamburg win 4–2 to progress to the next round.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since the start of the 2014–15 season, he continued to establish himself in the starting eleven, playing in the centre-back position.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Following the absence of captain Rafael van der Vaart, Djourou captained the club for the first time against Hannover 96 on 14 September 2014, as Hamburger SV lost 2–0.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> He then captained Hamburger SV in the next four matches for the side.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> At times, Djourou did captained the side as the 2014–15 season progressed.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> However, in a match against Borussia Dortmund on 7 March 2015, Djourou suffered an injury in the 18th minute against and was substituted, as the club drew 0–0.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Up until now, he started in every match despite facing injury threat along the way.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 20 March 2015 when Djourou returned to the starting line-up against Hertha BSC, as Hamburger SV lost 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, his return was short-lived when he was sent off for a second bookable offence, in a 2–0 against Wolfsburg on 11 April 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After serving a one match suspension, Djourou returned to the starting line-up against FC Augsburg on 25 April 2015 and helped the club win 3–2.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He then played in both legs of the relegation play-off matches against Karlsruher SC, as Hamburg won 3–2 on aggregate to retain their Bundesliga status.<ref>Template:Cite news
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Reflecting on the 2014–15 season, Djourou said: "It must never be like this again. You can't do that again. This pressure is too much. And by that I mean everyone. The whole city, HSV and all of our fans."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He went on to make 36 appearances in all competitions.

At the start of the 2015–16 season, Djourou was appointed a new captain of Hamburger SV following the departure of Van der Vaart.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He then scored his first goal for the club, in his 70th appearance, as well as, setting up one of the goals, in a 3–2 win against Stuttgart on 22 August 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly after, however, Djourou tore his muscle fibre that kept him out for weeks.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 11 September 2015 when he returned to the starting line-up against Borussia Mönchengladbach and kept a clean sheet, as the club won 3–0.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou helped Hamburger SV keep two more clean sheets in the next two matches against Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Ingolstadt 04.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Since returning from injury, he regained his first team place, as well as, captaincy for the club.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou then scored his second goal for Hamburger SV, in a 3–1 loss against 1. FSV Mainz 05 on 5 December 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After missing one match due to influenza, he returned to the starting line-up on 19 December 2015 against FC Augsburg, as the club lost 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> In the second half of the season, Djourou appeared eleven times for the club as captain.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> This was due to his injury concerns, suspension and competitions that saw him placed on the substitute bench.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> In a 3–2 loss against Schalke 04 on 2 March 2016, he was sent off for a second bookable offence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the match, Djourou's sending off was criticised by Manager Bruno Labbadia, saying he let the team down.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Despite this, Djourou returned to the starting line-up and helped the club finish tenth place in the league.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2015–16 season, he went on to make 26 appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

Ahead of the 2016–17 season, Djourou continued to regain his captaincy for Hamburger SV.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> However, he continued to plagued by injuries in the first four months to the season.<ref>Template:Cite news
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As a result of his injuries, Djourou was replaced as captain by Gōtoku Sakai.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He then helped the club keep two consecutive clean sheets between 4 December 2016 and 10 December 2016 against Darmstadt 98 and FC Augsburg.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> By the second half of the season, Djourou's first team opportunities soon became limited, due to his own injury concerns and competitions that saw him placed on the substitute bench.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> In late March, he was criticised for conducting an interview after criticising Manager Markus Gisdol and had to make an apology.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Despite the apology, Djourou continued to remain on the sidelines for the rest of the 2016–17 season.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2016–17 season, Djourou made sixteen appearances in all competitions.

Following this, he was among several players to be released by Hamburger SV after being told that their contract would not be renewed.<ref>Template:Cite news
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Upon learning about this, Djourou made a statement on his social media account, thanking the club, players and teammates for making him a better player throughout his time at Hamburger SV.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Antalyaspor

On 7 August 2017, Djourou completed a free transfer to Antalyaspor after the expiry of his contract with Hamburg, signing a two-year contract with an option to extend the deal by 12 months.<ref>Template:Cite news
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After not appearing in the first two league matches of the season, he made his Antalyaspor debut, starting the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Yeni Malatyaspor on 26 August 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 loss against Sivasspor on 30 September 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Since making his debut for Antalyaspor, he started in the next six matches before suffering an injury that kept him out for three months.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> While on the sidelines, Djourou was linked with a move to Genoa but the club refused to let him go.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It wasn't until on 12 February 2018 when he returned to the first team, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute, in a 3–0 loss against Galatasaray.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite suffering from an illness, Djourou continued to regain his first team place for the rest of the 2017–18 season.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> At the end of the 2017–18 season, he went on to make eighteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Following this, Djourou was among several players whose future at Antalyaspor was being reconsidered by the club's management, despite having a year left on his contract.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Later career

On 21 July 2018, Djourou signed with Italian Serie A club S.P.A.L. on a one-year contract with an option for a second year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut for the club, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1–0 loss against Torino on 2 September 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Djourou found his first team opportunities limited at S.P.A.L., due to competitions and his own injury concern.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> He made just six appearances before leaving by mutual consent in January 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 23 January 2020, Djourou completed a free transfer to Sion for the rest of the Swiss Super League season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut for the club, coming on as a 39th-minute substitute for the injured Jean Ruiz, in a 1–1 draw against FC Zürich on 2 February 2020.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In a follow-up match against BSC Young Boys, however, Djourou suffered a muscle injury and was substituted in the 14th minute, as Sion lost 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This turns out to be his last appearance for the club and made two appearances.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was one of nine players dismissed on 20 March for refusing a pay cut during the coronavirus pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The dispute was eventually resolved in August after Djourou took the case to court.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Djourou then moved to Neuchâtel Xamax on 29 May 2020, together with fellow Sion dismissee Xavier Kouassi.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut for the club, playing in the sweeper position, in a 2–1 win against FC Thun in the league's first match in three months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Djourou was plagued by injuries that affected most his time at Neuchâtel Xamax.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite this, he went on to make seven appearances for the club.

On transfer deadline day, 5 October 2020, Djourou joined Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjælland on a two-year deal.<ref>FCN henter Johan Djourou Template:Webarchive, fcn.dk, 5 October 2020</ref> He made his debut for the club in a Danish Cup match against FC Græsrødderne.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 4 June 2021, Djourou announced his retirement at the age of 34. He cited physical pain from playing, as well as business interests in a football academy and a podcast.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

International career

File:080603 djourou01.jpg
Djourou at Euro 2008 with Switzerland

Youth career

Djourou represented Switzerland up to the U21 levels.<ref>Template:Cite news
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He was a member of the Swiss under-19 squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2004 European Championships.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Following the end of the tournament, UEFA said about Djourou's performance, saying: " A substitute in Switzerland's first three matches, he produced a fine display after coming on against Ukraine and was his country's best player in the semi-final defeat by Turkey."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He went on to make eight appearances and scoring once for the U19 side.

The following year, Djourou was called up to the Switzerland U20 for the FIFA World Youth Championship in Netherlands.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He went on to play three times in the tournament, as the U20 side were eliminated in the Group Stage.<ref>Template:Cite news
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In September 2006, Djourou made two appearances during Swiss U21's qualification campaign for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Senior career

Having been eligible to play for Switzerland and Ivory Coast, Djourou opted to play for Switzerland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his senior Switzerland international debut in a friendly away to Scotland on 1 March 2006, coming on as a half-time substitute for Valon Behrami in the 3–1 win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:AUT vs. SUI 2015-11-17 (244).jpg
Djourou dribbling during Switzerland and Austria's match in November 2015

Djourou was called up to the Switzerland 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, despite not playing in the qualifiers.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Upon being called up, he said: "It's going to be amazing because I was born in Ivory Coast and still feel there is an African part of me. My biological mother still lives there and I have a lot of contact by telephone with my family there, so if I am picked to play for Switzerland against my 'other country' it is sure to be a special moment. It's always something special to be the youngest in the team but I'm not taking that aspect too seriously as we're here to play football and for that age doesn't really matter," Djourou said. "My own goal for the World Cup is just to play and now I have to prepare myself to show the coach that I'm ready."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His father successfully predicted that Djourou would play in the World Cup when he was ten.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou made his World Cup debut, coming on as 75th-minute substitute, in a 0–0 draw against France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He started Switzerland's round of 16 game against Ukraine, and was substituted injured in the first half.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The next two years saw Djourou continuing to feature in friendly matches for Switzerland.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> On 11 September 2007, he scored his first international goal to equalise near the end of a 4–3 loss to Japan in a tournament in Austria.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Djourou was named in the Swiss squad for their co-hosting of UEFA Euro 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he was placed on the substitute bench throughout the tournament, as Switzerland were eliminated in the Group Stage.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Following the conclusion of UEFA Euro 2008, Djourou appeared five times for Switzerland for the rest of the year.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> After missing nearly the entire season for Arsenal in 2009–10, he was left out of the Swiss squad for the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.<ref>Template:Cite news
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It wasn't until on 11 November 2010 when Djourou was called up to the Switzerland squad for the first time in over a year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his return to the national side, starting the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against Ukraine on 17 November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou's next appearance for Switzerland came on 4 June 2011, in a 2–2 draw against England.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He then helped Switzerland keep two consecutive clean sheets between 11 October 2011 and 11 November 2011 against Montenegro and Netherlands.<ref>Template:Cite news
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At the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Djourou helped Switzerland go on a four match unbeaten by the end of the 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> He then helped the national side keep three consecutive clean sheets between 6 February 2013 and 8 June 2013 against Greece and Cyprus.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou then helped Switzerland qualify for the World Cup after winning 2–1 against Albania on 11 October 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> Manager Vladimir Petković named him in the 23-man squad for the finals in Brazil, having made it on two occasions.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> For the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he played all four games as the Swiss reached the last 16.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Following the end of the tournament, Aargauer Zeitung made an evaluation of his performance.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Djourou kept four clean sheets for the national side between 14 October 2014 and 10 June 2015 during his playing time in Switzerland's four of the six matches.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> On 9 October 2015, Djourou scored his only other international goal in a 7–0 win over San Marino in St. Gallen for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, netting a penalty kick after Fabian Schär was fouled. The result took the Swiss to the finals in France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Once again, Manager Petković chose him in the 23-man squad for the finals in France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the summer's tournament, he played all four games of a run to the last 16, where Switzerland were eliminated in a 1–1 draw and penalty shootout against Poland.<ref>Template:Cite news
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File:SWE-SWI (14).jpg
Djourou making his only FIFA World Cup's appearance in Russia, coming against Sweden in the last 16

Following the conclusion of the UEFA Euro 2016, Djourou, once again, kept four clean sheets for the national side between 6 September 2016 and 3 September 2017 during his playing time in Switzerland's six of the nine matches.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> Despite missing out in play-offs, Switzerland went on to qualify for the World Cup after beating Northern Ireland 1–0 on aggregate.<ref>Template:Cite news
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Template:Cite news</ref> He was part of Vladimir Petković's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Djourou played only the 1–0 loss to Sweden in the last 16 at the Saint Petersburg Stadium, where he filled in for the suspended Fabian Schär.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made one more appearance by the end of the year, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against England on 11 September 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

Djourou's younger brother, Olivier, was playing football for Urania Genève Sport in 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also has two sisters.<ref name="Djourou The Independent"/> Djourou married his long-term girlfriend, Emile, and together, they have three daughters.<ref>Template:Cite news
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In addition to speaking German and French, Djourou speaks English, having learnt from his time in England.<ref name="Djourou The Independent"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is good friends with Fabrice Muamba, having been teammates at Arsenal and Birmingham City.<ref>Template:Cite news
Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2014, Djourou, along with teammate Jacques Zoua, had their watches stolen during HSV's training camp in Austria.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Djourou said in an interview that he would like to become an actor once his playing career is over.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Regarding his nationality, Djourou said: "I am so happy and grateful that I have both of them and that I can combine the best of both cultures. I am 100 percent African. That includes eating, dancing, music. And I'm also 100 percent Swiss, very punctual and disciplined when it matters."<ref name="Djourou Interview January 2016">Template:Cite news</ref>

Career statistics

Club

Source:<ref name="Soccerway">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2004–05 Premier League 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 0
2005–06 Premier League 7 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 12 0
2006–07 Premier League 21 0 1 0 3 0 5 0 30 0
2007–08 Premier League 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
2008–09 Premier League 15 0 4 0 2 0 8 0 29 0
2009–10 Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2010–11 Premier League 22 1 3 0 6 0 6 0 37 1
2011–12 Premier League 18 0 1 0 2 0 6 0 27 0
2012–13 Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 86 1 11 0 22 0 25 0 140 1
Birmingham City (loan) 2007–08 Premier League 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Hannover 96 (loan) 2012–13 Bundesliga 14 0 0 0 – 2 0 16 0
Hamburger SV (loan) 2013–14 Bundesliga 24 0 2 0 – – 26 0
Hamburger SV 2014–15 Bundesliga 34 0 2 0 – – 36 0
2015–16 Bundesliga 26 2 0 0 – – 26 2
2016–17 Bundesliga 14 0 2 0 – – 16 0
Total 98 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 104 2
Antalyaspor 2017–18 Süper Lig 18 1 0 0 – – 18 1
SPAL 2018–19 Serie A 5 0 1 0 – – 6 0
Sion 2019–20 Swiss Super League 2 0 0 0 – – 2 0
Neuchâtel Xamax 2019–20 Swiss Super League 5 0 0 0 – – 5 0
Nordsjælland 2020–21 Danish Superliga 8 0 1 0 – – 9 0
Career total 248 4 19 0 22 0 27 0 318 4

International

Source:<ref name="NFT">Template:NFT player</ref>

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Switzerland 2006 8 0
2007 8 1
2008 6 0
2009 2 0
2010 1 0
2011 5 0
2012 8 0
2013 4 0
2014 10 0
2015 7 1
2016 7 0
2017 6 0
2018 4 0
Total 76 2
Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Djourou goal.<ref name="NFT"/>
List of international goals scored by Johan Djourou
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 September 2007 Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt, Austria Template:Fb 3–3 3–4 Friendly
2 9 October 2015 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland Template:Fb 4–0 7–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification

Honours

Arsenal

Individual

References

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