Xavier Margairaz

Xavier Margairaz
Margairaz playing with Switzerland (left).
Personal information
Date of birth	(1984-01-07) 7 January 1984 (age 30)
Place of birth	Rances, Switzerland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Servette
Number	10
Youth career
1991–1996	Rances
1996–2000	Yverdon Sport
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2003	Lausanne-Sport	46	(3)
2003–2005	Neuchâtel Xamax	34	(5)
2005–2007	Zürich	78	(20)
2007–2009	Osasuna	13	(0)
2009	→ Zürich (loan)	13	(2)
2009–2012	Zürich	80	(16)
2012–2013	Sion	35	(5)
2014–	Servette	10	(0)
National team
2005–2010	Switzerland	18	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 June 2014. † Appearances (Goals).

Xavier Margairaz (born 7 January 1984) is a Swiss footballer who plays for Servette FC as a midfielder.

Club career

Margairaz was born in Rances. After beginning professionally with FC Lausanne-Sport and Neuchâtel Xamax he was part of the 2005–06 and 2006–07 Super League-winning teams of Fussballclub Zürich.

In May 2007 Margairaz signed a three-year contract with Spanish side CA Osasuna,^[1] where he struggled with first-team opportunities. In late February 2008, in a friendly match with SD Eibar, he suffered a serious knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament, internal lateral ligament and external meniscus). After a successful surgery in Geneva he missed UEFA Euro 2008, as his recovery process was estimated to be of at least eight months;^[2] this happened a week after another serious knee-injured central midfielder of the Navarrese club, Javad Nekounam, began training.

On 14 January 2009 Margairaz moved back to FC Zürich on loan, until the end of the season.^[3] In June, after he helped the team to another league title and Osasuna received €400.000, the move was made permanent.

On 15 September 2009 Margairaz became Zürich's first scorer in the UEFA Champions League, scoring in a 2–5 home loss against Real Madrid in the group stage.^[4] In January 2012 he moved to FC Sion, on a three 1/2-year contract.

International career

A member of the Swiss national team since 2005, Margairaz was called up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he had two late substitute appearances.

Honours

• Swiss League: 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09

Personal

Margairaz's brother, Sascha, is also a footballer. He played mainly in the lower leagues and amateur football.

References

External links

• FC Zürich profile (German)
• Xavier Margairaz on the website of the Swiss Football League
• Xavier Margairaz at National-Football-Teams.com
• Xavier Margairaz – FIFA competition record
• Soccerway profile