Players - Rigobert Song

Rigobert Song
Birthdate: 1 July 1976
Birthplace: Nkenglicock, Cameroon
Other clubs: Tonnerre Kalara Club de Yaoundé (1992-94), Metz (1994-98), Salernitana (1998-99), West Ham United (2000-02), Cologne (loan 2001-02), Lens (2002-04), Galatasaray (2004-08), Trabzonspor (2008-10)
Signed from: Salernitana
Signed for LFC: £2.6m, 26.01.1999
International debut: 22.09.1993 vs. Mexico
International caps: 137/4 (14/2 at LFC) - 24.06.2010
Liverpool debut: 30.01.1999
Last appearance: 23.09.2000
Contract expiry: 28.11.2000
Win ratio: 44.74% W:17 D:11 L:10
Games/assists ratio: 19
Total games/goals opposite LFC: 3 / 0
League games / goals / assists: 34 / 0 / 2
Total games / goals / assists: 38 / 0 / 2

Player Profile

Rigobert Song was handed immense responsibility from an early age with his country. When he was only 16, he was the captain of the Under-20 side. Only a year or so later he was playing for his country in the World Cup finals in the United States. Coach Henri Michel said he had never known such a self-confident youngster as Song, who later was appointed captain of the senior team. He got a red card against Brazil in 1994 and when he was sent off against Chile during the World Cup in France in 1998, he became the first player to be sent off in two consecutive finals tournaments. He also featured in the 2002 and 2010 World Cup and played at a record eight Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Song also holds the record of the most capped player in the history of the Cameroon national team with 137 appearances!

Song was obviously fond of the colour red, because he often played in red shoes and six months after the World Cup in France, he became one of the first players signed by Gerard Houllier for Liverpool. Song was quite a character, but the high-spirited African could not cope with life in the Premier League. He was tough, skilful and brave in battle but lacked discipline and got caught out of position far too many times for the liking of Liverpool's management. Jamie Carragher was not his biggest fan as he revealed in his autobiography. Song had apparently mocked Carra's defensive skills and the Bootle boy made him pay. "Song walked on to the training pitch with a smile on his face. He was limping off it with a grimace an hour later," Carragher said. "The first chance I got, I did him. Never have I hunted down a 50–50 tackle with greater appetite." Song only made 38 appearances for Liverpool's first team before being transferred to West Ham in November 2000. But a change of scenery did not mean a change of fortune and he struggled to hold down a first-team place with the Hammers as well. He was sent on loan to Cologne and subsequently agreed a permanent deal with French club Lens in 2002. After two years in France, Song moved to Turkey where he won the league in 2006 and 2008 with Galatasaray and finished his career with Trabzonspor.

After a spell coaching West Ham's Under 23 side, in February 2022, on the orders of the country's president, Song was appointed head coach of his native Cameroon, steering them to World Cup qualification. 

Appearances per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 34 1 2 1 0 38
1998-1999 13 0 0 0 0 13
1999-2000 18 1 2 0 0 21
2000-2001 3 0 0 1 0 4
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps Minutes Opponent
4 340 West Ham United
3 262 Sunderland
3 242 Southampton
3 218 Manchester United
2 176 Aston Villa
2 117 Sheffield Wednesday
2 85 Wimbledon
2 74 Coventry City
1 90 Newcastle United
1 90 Chelsea
1 90 Manchester City
1 90 Nottingham Forest
1 90 Everton
1 90 Leicester City
1 90 Arsenal
1 90 Leeds United
1 90 Hull City
1 90 Derby
1 90 Rapid Bucharest
1 90 Bradford City
1 83 Blackburn Rovers
1 19 Huddersfield Town
1 16 Charlton Athletic
1 15 Tottenham
1 9 Watford
Total Started/substitutions
30 Started
19 On the bench
8 Substitute
10 Substituted
Total Venue
20 Home
18 Away
Total Competition
34 Premier League
2 League Cup
1 FA Cup
1 UEFA Cup
Total W D L Win % Manager
38 17 11 10 44.7% Gérard Houllier
Assists per season
Season League FA LC Europe Other Total
Totals 2 0 0 0 0 2
1998-1999 1 0 0 0 0 1
1999-2000 1 0 0 0 0 1
2000-2001 0 0 0 0 0 0
A more detailed look at the player's assists
Total Competition
2 Premier League
Total For player
1 Steven Gerrard
1 Steve McManaman
Milestone Appearances
# Date Against Stadium Competition
1 30.01.1999 Coventry City Highfield Road League
Related Quotes

"It's difficult to integrate, but I believe I've managed to do it. I played in France with Metz, in Italy with Salernitana and in England with Liverpool, so I've shown I'm a professional and can adapt.

I think people realise quickly that I'm not shy and I like a laugh, and I'm not someone who likes to sit around on his own. Language was a handicap at the start, but now I get all the jokes and Robbie Fowler really makes me laugh. Coming to Europe has enabled me to iron out the flaws in my game, largely through the regular experience of playing at the highest level. Now I play the European way."

Song in July 2000

"I will say this about the English press - they are very consistent. First it was Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler, then it was Titi Camara and now it is Rigobert Song. I can tell you that Rigo is not for sale. We like him and he's a good personality to have at the club. He understands he is part of a squad here and that means sometimes you don't play, but sit on the bench and wait for your chance to come along."

Houllier in April 2000(Song left in November 2000)

Other Clubs
Club Season Club rank League apps League goals Total apps Total goals
Tonnerre Kalara Club de Yaoundé 1992-1994 Cameroon N/A N/A N/A N/A
Metz 1994-1995 France 1 24 2 27 2
Metz 1995-1996 France 1 34 0 43 0
Metz 1996-1997 France 1 34 1 42 1
Metz 1997-1998 France 1 28 1 34 1
Salernitana 1998-1999 Italy 1 4 1 4 1
West Ham United 2000-2001 England Premier League 19 0 21 0
Cologne 2001-2002 Germany 1 16 0 19 1
West Ham United 2001-2002 England Premier League 5 0 6 0
Lens 2002-2003 France 1 35 3 43 4
Lens 2003-2004 France 1 28 0 28 0
Galatasaray 2004-2005 Turkey 1 32 2 32 2
Galatasaray 2005-2006 Turkey 1 29 1 33 1
Galatasaray 2006-2007 Turkey 1 25 1 38 2
Galatasaray 2007-2008 Turkey 1 22 0 32 2
Trabzonspor 2008-2009 Turkey 1 28 0 31 0
Trabzonspor 2009-2010 Turkey 1 18 0 20 1
Total 381 12 453 18