Arthur Nicolas R. Theate (born 25 May 2000) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, on loan from Ligue 1 club Rennes, and the Belgium national team.
_16.jpg) Theate with Rennes in 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Arthur Nicolas R. Theate[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 25 May 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Liège, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back, left-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Eintracht Frankfurt (on loan from Rennes) | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2009 | Alliance Melen-Micheroux | ||
| 2009–2011 | Eupen | ||
| 2011–2014 | Genk | ||
| 2014–2017 | Standard Liège | ||
| 2017–2019 | Genk | ||
| 2019–2020 | Standard Liège | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Oostende | 38 | (5) |
| 2021–2022 | → Bologna (loan) | 31 | (2) |
| 2022– | Rennes | 63 | (6) |
| 2024– | → Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2015 | Belgium U15 | 4 | (0) |
| 2015 | Belgium U16 | 1 | (0) |
| 2017 | Belgium U17 | 1 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Belgium U18 | 7 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Belgium U19 | 6 | (0) |
| 2021 | Belgium U21 | 3 | (0) |
| 2021– | Belgium | 23 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:04, 10 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 November 2024 | |||
Club career
editEarly career
editTheate played youth football for Alliance Melen-Micheroux, Eupen, Genk and Standard Liège.[3] Until reaching the under-14 level, he played as a striker at Eupen. At Genk, he was repositioned as a left winger after the arrival of a new player, after which he moved to the position of left-back and then centre-back.[4] During his time at the Genk youth academy, his future at times looked uncertain, and he was described as being physically tough, but not always refined.[5]
After three years playing for the Genk youth teams, he joined Standard Liège where he also struggled with regular midfielder Damjan Pavlović being played as left-back in the youth team to replace Theate.[5] He soon returned to Genk, where he trained with the first team during the 2019–20 pre-season under head coach Felice Mazzu. After this, however, Theate failed to make the cut and was demoted to the reserves. He returned to Standard in 2019, but barely a year after his return, Standard let him go again.[5]
Oostende
editIn the summer of 2020, Theate saw no prospects of succeeding at Standard Liège, after which he was offered a trial with Belgian First Division A club Oostende. After a week of practicing with the first team, he was able to convince German coach Alexander Blessin of his abilities. Blessin mainly noticed his explosiveness and power, ideal for his high five-man backline and Gegenpressing tactics. Previously, Theate had not been able to convince Lommel or Lierse Kempenzonen during trials.[5]
In July 2020, he signed a three-year contract with an option with Oostende. Theate made his debut on 10 August 2020 in the Belgian First Division A against Beerschot, featuring in starting line-up.[6] Together with Anton Tanghe he grew into the permanent centre-back duo in the Oostende defence. On 4 October 2020, he scored his first professional goal, heading home a cross against Royal Excel Mouscron putting his team in a good position ahead of their 3–0 victory.[7][8]
During the winter transfer period of the 2020–21 season, Oostende received an offer for Theate of €5 million from Italian Serie A club Bologna, but the Belgian coastal club refused.[9] In his first season at Oostende, he managed to qualify for European play-offs, but eventually missed out. He missed only one game due to suspension and four matches due to injury, playing the entirety of the other 27 matches.
In the 2021–22 season, Theate did not make an appearance during the first two matchdays pending a possible transfer.[10] On the third matchday of the season, he returned to the starting line-up against Gent.[11] On 22 August 2021, he picked up a red card in his last game for Oostende against his former club Standard.[12] Theate played a total of 40 official matches for Oostende, in which he scored five goals.[13]
Bologna
editOn 26 August 2021, Theate signed with Serie A club Bologna on initial season-long loan, with a subsequent obligation to buy.[14]
On 18 September 2021, Theate made his Bologna debut against defending champions Inter Milan on the fourth matchday of the season. Theate came on as a substitute in the 74th minute behind 6–0 and headed in the 6–1 final score twelve minutes later.[15] Bologna had started the season with a four-man defense, but after conceding twelve goals in three games, coach Siniša Mihajlović started the game against Lazio on 3 October with five at the back with Theate as left-sided centre-back. This was also his first start for the club. Theate contributed with an assist and a goal in the 3–0 win.[16]
Theate impressed during his season at Bologna, making 31 league appearances in which he scored twice and provided one assist.[17]
Rennes
editOn 29 July 2022, Theate joined Ligue 1 club Rennes on a four-year deal,[18] for a reported fee of €20 million, making him the most expensive Belgian defender ever, above Thomas Vermaelen's 2014 move from Arsenal to Barcelona for €19 million.[19] Theate was to succeed Nayef Aguerd who had left for West Ham United.[20]
On the first matchday of the 2022–23 Ligue 1 season, Theate made his Rennes debut in the starting lineup against Lorient. He scored an own goal in the 65th minute, which proved to be decisive in the 1–0 loss.[21] On 21 August, Theate scored his first goal for the club against Ajaccio, heading home the 2–1 winner.[22] He also scored in his European debut with a strike from distance against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa League group stage, as Rennes won the game 2–1.[23] In Rennes' 1–0 league win over league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Theate was praised for shutting down Lionel Messi in a strong performance.[24][25]
On 14 September 2023, Theate signed a new contract with Rennes until June 2027.[26]
Eintracht Frankfurt
editOn 18 August 2024, Theate joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the 2024–25 season, with the German club having an option to buy after the season.[27]
International career
edit
Theate received his first call-up to the senior Belgium squad for the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals.[28] He made his debut on 16 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Wales.[29]
He was selected for national coach Roberto Martínez's squad ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,[30] but failed to make an appearance as the Red Devils were knocked out of the tournament at the group stages for the first time since 1998.[31]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of match played 10 November 2024[32]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| KV Oostende | 2020–21 | Belgian Pro League | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 37 | 5 | |
| 2021–22 | Belgian Pro League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Total | 38 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 40 | 5 | |||
| Bologna (loan) | 2021–22 | Serie A | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 2 | |
| Rennes | 2022–23 | Ligue 1 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5[b] | 1 | 41 | 5 |
| 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 28 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8[b] | 0 | 40 | 3 | |
| Total | 63 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 81 | 8 | ||
| Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) | 2024–25 | Bundesliga | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Career total | 141 | 13 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 165 | 15 | ||
- ^ Includes Belgian Cup, Coupe de France
- ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
International
edit- As of match played 14 November 2024[33]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 23 | 0 | |
References
edit- ^ "Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Belgium (BEL)" (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 3. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Arthur Theate". Stade Eintracht Frankfurt. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Les 3 générations de footeux". La Province (in French). 16 October 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gautier, Guillaume (20 October 2020). "Arthur Theate (KV Oostende): 'Bij Standard en Genk heb ik nooit echt een uitleg gekregen'". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d Geril, Jürgen (10 November 2021). "Het sprookje van 'Koning' Arthur Theate: vorig jaar afgeschreven als profvoetballer, nu Rode Duivel". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Oostende haalt jonge verdediger Arthur Theate in huis". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Dutch). 13 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Oostende rekent thuis makkelijk af met Moeskroen en nestelt zich in de linkerkolom". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Het wonder van Arthur Theate: weggestuurd bij Genk en Standard, afgewezen door derdeklassers, nu Rode Duivel". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 7 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "KV Oostende weigerde Italiaans bod". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "KV Oostende vangt jackpot voor Arthur Theate, verdediger komt vanavond niet meer in actie". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Van Assche, Timmy (9 August 2021). "Arthur Theate na overwinning tegen AA Gent en eerste clean sheet: Bij KVO vormen we één familie". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Standard laat Sclessin intens vieren: Rouches kloppen KV Oostende en gaan voorlopig op kop". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Flemish). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Van den Broeck, David; Verbeeke, Junior; Van Genechten, Vincent (18 March 2021). "Amper negen maanden prof, maar Arthur Theate al in het vizier van bondscoach Martinez: "Dat begrijp ik best"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Arthur Theate joins Bologna". Bologna. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ Heylen, Jens (18 September 2021). "Bologna en scorende Theate lopen tegen oplawaai aan bij landskampioen Inter". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Conings, Wim (3 October 2021). "Straf: Belgische verdediger Theate (21) is bij eerste basisplek meteen goed voor goal én assist tegen Lazio". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Hauspie, Jan (15 June 2022). "Arthur Theate: Ik ben ongelooflijk gelukkig geweest in Oostende". De Morgen (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Arthur Theate est Rouge et Noir !". STADE RENNAIS F.C. (in French). 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Duurste Belgische verdediger ooit: Arthur Theate ruilt Bologna voor Stade Rennes". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Flemish). 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Officieel: Rennes maakt van Rode Duivel Arthur Theate duurste Belgische verdediger ooit". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Arthur Theate debuteert bij Stade Rennes met ongelukkige owngoal". Sporza (in Dutch). 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Vanhoof, Maarten (21 August 2022). "Arthur Theate bezorgt Rennes met welgemikte kopbal eerste overwinning van het seizoen". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Conings, Wim (8 September 2022). "Rode Duivel Arthur Theate scoort nu ook in Europa voor nieuwe club Rennes". Het Belang van Limburg (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Raspiller, Julien (16 January 2023). "Comment Arthur Theate a muselé Messi, Neymar et Mbappé et s'érige de plus en plus comme un des futurs cadres des Diables rouges". Le Soir (in French). Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Theate houdt de nul tegen Messi en co, die voor tweede keer verliezen in 2023". Voetbalprimeur (in Flemish). 15 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Le Stade Rennais F.C. prolonge sa charnière" [Stade Rennais F.C. extends its hinge] (in French). Stade Rennais. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Eintracht sign Arthur Theate". Eintracht Frankfurt. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Italy 2-1 Belgium". BBC. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
- ^ "Wales v Belgium game report". FIFA. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ Van Damme, Michael (10 November 2022). "VIDEO. Arthur Theate volgt WK-selectie op massagetafel, Rennes-ploegmaats dolblij voor hem en Jérémy Doku". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Morse, Ben (1 December 2022). "Belgium knocked out of World Cup after goalless draw with Croatia as head coach Roberto Martinez steps down". CNN. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Arthur Theate at Soccerway
- ^ "Arthur Theate". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
External links
edit
- Profile at the Eintracht Frankfurt website
- Arthur Theate at the Royal Belgian Football Association
- Arthur Theate – UEFA competition record (archive)
