Timothée Atouba

Early years

Born in Douala, Cameroon, Atouba grew up in a family with 13 children. He started playing football in Yaoundé in a small club called Minéduc (Ministère de l'éducation national). He was soon being courted by other academies. But he remained with his club, which has since been renamed from to Ouragan FC. He advanced to their first team for the 1999 season, in the second tier. The left footed midfielder played immediately in the starting eleven and was regular goal scorer. From that moment on things went in quick succession and he transferred to Union Douala, in the Elite One. Then, Atouba received a call-up for Cameroon's national team from national coach Pierre Lechantre. He didn't have to play any youth internationals.

Neuchâtel Xamax

Atouba was spotted as a talent by scouts in friendlies and during Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Sooner or later he also became the focus of Swiss clubs. Neuchâtel Xamax was the first club interested. In summer 2000 he signed for them, and played for them in the 2001–02 Nationalliga A under head coach Alain Geiger. Atouba played his league debut for the club in the home game in the Stade de la Maladière (1924) on 19 July 2000 as Xamax won 2–0 against FC Basel. From this moment FCB also became aware of him.

Basel

In summer 2001, Basel's first offer was turned down, but six months later, the second offer was accepted. Atouba joined Basel's first team as a left-back during their 2001–02 season under head…

He was part of the Cameroonian 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished top of their group in the first round of competition, before failing to secure qualification for the semi-finals.

FC Basel

Swiss Super League: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05 Swiss Cup: 2001–02, 2002–03, Uhren Cup: 2003 Hamburger SV

UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2005, 2007 Dubai Challenge Cup: 2007, 2008 Emirates Cup: 2008 T-Home Cup: 2009 Ajax

Eredivisie: 2010–11 KNVB Cup: 2009–10 Cameroon

African Cup of Nations: 2000; runner-up, 2008 FIFA Confederations Cup: runner up, 2003