Steven Gerard Gaote

Steven Gerard Gaote
Personal information
Full name Steven Gerard Jean Yves Gaote
Date of birth (2008-02-19) 19 February 2008 (age 16)
Place of birth Sofia, Bulgaria
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Rennes
Youth career
2013–2024 Levski Sofia
2024– Rennes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023–2024 Levski Sofia II 3 (0)
International career‡
2022–2023 Bulgaria U15 5 (4)
2023– Bulgaria U16 3 (2)
2023– Bulgaria U17 7 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:42, 11 March 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:51, 1 April 2024 (UTC)

Steven Gerard Jean Yves Gaote (Bulgarian: Стивън Жерард Жан Ив Гаоте, romanized: Stivǎn Zherard Zhan Iv Gaote; born 19 February 2008) is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for French club Rennes.

Club career

Born in Sofia to an Ivorian father and a Bulgarian mother, Gaote joined the academy of Levski Sofia in 2013, and progressed through the ranks, notably scoring 35 goals in 38 games throughout the 2021–22 season.[1] In May 2023, he was invited by interim first-team coach Elin Topuzakov to train with the Levski senior squad for the first time.[2][3] In June of the same year, he stated that he hoped to be involved with the first team again in the 2023–24 season.[4] He made his debut for the second team on 11 November 2023 in a Third League match against Minyor Pernik.[5]

In January 2024 Gaote returned from trials with Red Bull Salzburg and joined again to Levski's first team winter training camp.[6] He announced he would leave Levski in April 2024, after he refused to sign a professional contract with the team and was expelled from all team activities.[7]

On 10 June 2024 he officially signed a contract with French club Rennes.[8]

International career

Gaote represented Bulgaria at under-15 and under-16 levels in a friendly tournaments.[9] In May 2023, he was called up for Bulgaria U17.[10]

Career statistics

As of 18 February 2024
Club performance League Cup Continental Other Total
Club League Season Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Levski Sofia II Third League 2023–24 3 0 – – – 3 0
Career statistics 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

References

  1. ^ "Знаете ли къде играе Ситвън Жерард? Не бързайте с отговора" [Do you know where Steven Gerard plays? Don't rush the answer.]. detskifootball.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 October 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Топузаков повика Стивън Жерард в първия отбор" [Topuzakov called up Steven Gerard to the first team]. dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Суперталант от школата на Левски тренира с мъжкия отбор" [A super talent from Levski's school trains with the men's team]. topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Стивън Жерард - Гаоте: Надявам се отново да съм част от мъжкия тим на Левски" [Steven Gerrard - Gaote: I hope to be part of Levski's men's team again]. gong.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  5. ^ „Левски II“ загуби от „Миньор“ (Перник) в Трета лига — Академия ЛЕВСКИ
  6. ^ Стивън Жерард заминава с Левски за Турция
  7. ^ „Замразен“ от Сираков ексклузивно пред БЛИЦ: Нямам проблем с Левски, а с ръководството!
  8. ^ Юноша на Левски премина в Рен
  9. ^ Steven Gerard Gaote at WorldFootball.net
  10. ^ Стивън Жерард - Гаоте: Надявам се отново да съм част от мъжкия тим на Левски