Player Profile: Stephan Lichtsteiner

By: Franco | July 27th, 2009

Full name: Stephan Lichtsteiner
Date of birth: January 16, 1984 (age 25)
Place of birth: Adligenswil, Switzerland
Height: 1.81 m
Playing position: Right back
Shirt Number: 2
Career to date:
2001 until 2005 – Grasshoppers – 79 appearances (4 goals)
2005 until 2008 – Lille – 89 appearances (5 goals)
2008 until Present – Lazio – 33 appearances (1 awesome DERBY Goal!)

Stephan started his senior career at Swiss club, Grasshoppers. The Swiss International made a total of 79 appearances for his club and netting 4 goals in the interim. Following several great seasons for the Grasshoppers, he and another 4 other Swiss internationals all made their way over to the French Ligue 1 in the 2005/06 season, with Lichti securing a move to Lille. During Stephan’s 2 great years with the French outfit, he made a total of 89 appearances, and this time going one better and netting a total of 5 goals. It was through his time at Lille that one club in particular stood up and took notice of the young Swiss and wasted no time in securing his services either….

On the 16th July, 2008 Stephan signed his services over to none other than S.S. Lazio. Little was known about the Swiss International (who at the time was replacing another Swiss player – Valon Behrami) and Lotito was, as always, heavily critised by Lazio fans for letting Behrami go and replacing him with an unknown player. It took Lichti no time at all to settle in to life at Lazio and if his main objective was to win over the fans as soon as possible, then mission accomplished.

Since Stephan has started playing for the Biancoceleste he has become some sort of an icon and fan favorite. He was nick named “Forest Gump” by the fans and famous Lazio commentator, Guido De Angelis, which come about from his non-stop running up and down the pitch from the first second until the very last. His goal against Rioma in the deby has also done his reputation wonders with the Biancoceleste faithful, which I am sure will not be forgotten in a hurry. Litchi is the type of player every professional Football club wishes they had. His non-stop running, tackling, shooting, passing and general presence was one of the reasons Lazio accomplished as much as what they did last season. If the season passed is anything to go by, we Laziale are in for a real treat. Stephan is a player whom I can see captaining the team and taking Lazio to new heights. Although still very young and still lots of improvement and developing to be had, Lichti is one of Lazio’s best young prospects and we can only hope he continues along this path.

As well as Lazio, Stephan also plays for his National team, Switzerland. Lichti earnt his first cap for Switzerland back in 2005 and was a regular feature in his side’s 2008 UEFA European Cup campaign. Since his first appearance back in 2005, to date Stephan has played a total of 16 times for his country scoring 2 goals in the process. All signs look positive for the young right back as we wish him our best that he continues to grow and become a stronger player and one whom has a strong on field character & Presence too. I for one hope that Stephan remains at Lazio for years to come, and who knows, maybe one day he will be wearing the much coveted captains armband of the best club in Rome too. I am sure that he has the capabilities and the trust of all Laziale fans to do so.

Forza Lazio, Forza Lichti!