Sylvain Distin

Football
Sylvain Distin (born 16 December 1977) is a French former professional footballer. He is left-footed and played as a central defender, and was also capable of playing at left-back. Distin began his career playing for French amateur sides in the CFA, and worked his way up to professional sides Gueugnon and subsequently Paris Saint-Germain. He moved to England in 2001, first joining Newcastle United on a loan move from PSG, before signing a permanent contract with Manchester City, where he spent five seasons. He then spent two years at Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup, before joining Everton in 2009. In six seasons at Goodison Park, he made 210 appearances across all competitions, leaving in 2015 for AFC Bournemouth. After one season with Bournemouth, Distin was released when his contract expired in June 2016. He played fifteen consecutive seasons in the Premier League, with over 450 appearances in England’s top flight – the most of any foreign outfield player.