Étienne Capoue

Early career

Capoue was born in the commune of Niort in Deux-Sèvres, and began his career playing for hometown club Chamois Niortais. In 2002, he departed the club and joined FC Chauray, a local club in Poitou-Charentes. Capoue stayed at the club for two years before joining Angers SCO in Pays de la Loire. While playing in a youth league match against Toulouse, Capoue drew the attention of the club's scouts who offered the player a one-week trial. Prior to agreeing to the internship, he was also approached by Lille, Auxerre, and Bordeaux. Capoue chose Toulouse because of the club's training facilities and the good weather.

Toulouse

Capoue began his club career with Toulouse in 2006 playing on the club's under-18 team. During the early portion of the 2007–08 season, he played on the club's Championnat de France Amateur team in the fourth division making eight appearances. Midway through the season, Capoue was called up to the senior team by manager Alain Casanova. On 8 December 2007, he made his professional debut appearing as a substitute in a 1–0 victory over Lille. The following week, Capoue made his first professional start against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. Toulouse won the match 2–1 with Capoue playing 71 minutes. On 7 February 2008, Capoue, along with teammate Cheikh M'Bengue, signed his first professional contract agreeing to a three-year deal until 2011. For the 2008–09 season, Casanova paired the young defensive midfielder with…

Club

As of match played 19 May 2024

International

France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Capoue goal.

Capoue was eligible to play for Guadeloupe, due to his father being from there. Capoue has been active with France on the youth level. He has received caps with the under-18 and under-19 teams. Capoue made his youth international debut with the under-18 team on 14 March 2006 in a 2–1 victory over Germany. He finished the under-18 campaign with four appearances. He made his debut with the under-19 team at the 2006 edition of the Sendaï Cup in Japan in the opening match against the Tōhoku region national team. In the team's next group stage match against Japan, Capoue scored his first youth international goal in a 3–1 victory. On 23 January 2007, he scored his second under-17 goal in a 2–0 win against Turkey. During qualification for the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Capoue scored his only goal in a 3–1 positive result against Poland in the Elite Round. At the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, Capoue missed the first two group stage matches, but appeared in the team final one against Russia and the team's semi-final defeat on penalties to Spain. On 15 August 2012, Capoue made his debut for the French senior team in a friendly match against Uruguay, Didier Deschamps's first game as manager. He replaced Rio Mavuba at half time in a goalless draw. On 11 September, he scored his first goal for France in a 3–1 World Cup qualifier win over Belarus at the Stade de France.

Capoue's older brother, Aurélien, played for clubs including Nantes, and was a senior international for Guadeloupe.