Jean Makoun

Lille

Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Makoun began his career in his native Cameroon at Cotonsport Garoua, where he was part of the team's youth setup. Following this, he spent time at other Cameroonian clubs Jeunesse Star and Tonnerre Yaoundé, before moving to France, to join Ligue 1 club Lille. Makoun started out playing in the centre–back position but when he was at Lille, Makoun began playing in the centre–back position. Having progressed through the ranks of Lille youth system, he signed his professional contract, keeping him until 2006. Makoun was called up to the first team by Manager Claude Puel during the 2002–03 season. He made his Lille debut, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute, in a 1–0 loss against SC Bastia on 2 November 2002. Makoun made his first start for the side, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 loss against OGC Nice on 10 January 2003. At the end of the 2002–03 season, he went on to make thirteen appearances in all competitions. At the start of the 2003–04 season, Makoun scored his first goal for the club, as they beat the defending champion, Lyon, to win 1–0. He quickly became a first team regular for the side under the management of Puel, who was impressed with his quality performance. As the season progressed, Makoun began to develop for the side by displaying "good technique and a lucidity which regularly allows him to play his role as a passer." On 31 October 2003, Makoun scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win against Nîmes…

Having been called up to Cameroon squad on two occasions, Makoun finally made his Cameroon debut, where he started the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Japan on 19 November 2003. Two months later, Makoun was called up to the national squad to be part of the Cameroonian 2004 African Nations Cup team. He made his debut in the tournament, starting a match and playing 75 minutes before being substituted, as Cameroon won 5–3 against Zimbabwe. Cameroon went on to finish at the top of its group in the first round of competition before failing to secure qualification for the semi-finals. Following Cameroon's failure qualify for the 2006 World Cup, finishing one point behind qualifiers Ivory Coast in their table, Makoun was called up to the national squad to be part of the Cameroonian 2006 African Nations Cup team. He played an important role in a match against Togo, setting up a goal for Samuel Eto'o, in a 2–0 win. However, Makoun started and played the whole game, as he scored in the epic 11–12 penalty shootout quarter-final loss against Ivory Coast. Makoun was named by Otto Pfister in Cameroon's squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Though he played three times in the tournament, Makoun was placed on the substitute bench for the other three matches, including the final, which Cameroon lost 1–0 against Egypt, having lost to them in the opening game of the tournament. Later in the year, he scored his first Cameroon goal, in a 5–0 win against Mauritius on 10 October…

Club

International

Scores and results list Templatonia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Makoun goal.

Makoun likes to be referred to as Jean II since his father, Jean Sr., is also a footballer. Makoun is married and has four children, including Jean III Makoun, who followed his footstep to be a footballer. In April 2011, Makoun was given a compassionate leave by Aston Villa to return to Cameroon after his wife and one of his children were involved in a car crash. In addition to speaking French, Makoun also speaks English, learning the language from his time at Villa Park.