Fabian Schär

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Fabian Schär
Schär training with Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Fabian Lukas Schär[1]
Date of birth (1991-12-20) 20 December 1991 (age 32)[1]
Place of birth Wil, Switzerland
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Newcastle United
Number 5
Youth career
1999–2009 FC Wil 1900
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 FC Wil 1900 52 (9)
2012–2015 Basel 73 (9)
2015–2017 1899 Hoffenheim 30 (1)
2017–2018 Deportivo La Coruña 25 (2)
2018– Newcastle United 157 (14)
International career
2010–2011 Switzerland U20 3 (0)
2012 Switzerland U21 5 (1)
2012 Switzerland Olympic 2 (0)
2013– Switzerland 80 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:02, 13 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:06, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Fabian Lukas Schär (German pronunciation: [ʃɛːɐ̯]; born 20 December 1991), known as Fabian Schär, is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Newcastle United and the Switzerland national team. He is known for his powerful free kicks, long shots and long passes.

Beginning his career at his hometown club of Wil, Schär transferred to Basel in 2012, winning the Swiss Super League in all three of his seasons there before his move to Hoffenheim.

After playing at the 2012 Olympics, Schär made his senior debut for Switzerland in 2013. He represented the nation at the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018 and 2022, as well as the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020.

Club career[edit]

Wil[edit]

Born in Wil, in the Canton of St. Gallen, Schär began his playing career at hometown club Wil and rose through the youth ranks, soon playing regularly for Wil's reserve team. He eventually made his league debut on 29 November 2009 against FC Stade Nyonnais, coming on as a late substitute. He scored his first Swiss Challenge League goal in an away win against Yverdon-Sport on 30 October 2010.

Basel[edit]

On 4 July 2012, Schär transferred to Basel on a three-year contract with the option of a fourth.[3][4] He made his Swiss Super League debut on 29 September in a 1–1 away draw against Lausanne-Sport.[5] He scored his first goal for his new club on 7 October in the St. Jakob-Park during the 3–2 home win against Servette, heading an equaliser following a corner from Fabian Frei.[6]

At the end of the Swiss Super League season 2012–13 Schär won the Championship title[7] and was Swiss Cup runner up with Basel.[8] In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Basel advanced as far as the semi-finals, there being matched against the reigning UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea, but they were knocked out losing both matches and being beaten 2–5 on aggregate.[9]

At the end of the 2013–14 Super League season Schär won his second league championship with Basel.[10] They also reached the final of the 2013–14 Swiss Cup, but were beaten 2–0 by Zürich after extra time. During the 2013–14 Champions League season Basel reached the group stage and finished the group in third position. Thus they qualified for Europa League knockout phase and here they advanced as far as the quarter-finals.

The 2014–15 season was a very successful one for Basel and Schär. Basel won the championship for the sixth time in a row that season.[11] In the 2014–15 Swiss Cup they reached the final, but for the third season in a row, they finished as runners-up, losing 0–3 to Sion in the final. Basel entered the Champions League in the group stage and reached the knockout stages, with a 1–1 away draw against Liverpool enough to take them through.[12] Basel later lost to Porto in the Round of 16.[13]

Hoffenheim[edit]

On 4 June 2015, Schär signed for Hoffenheim.[14] On 16 April 2016, he scored his only goal at the club from a header in a 2–1 victory over Hertha BSC.[15]

Deportivo La Coruña[edit]

On 21 July 2017, Schär signed a four-year deal with Deportivo de La Coruña.[16] He made his La Liga debut on 20 August, starting in a 3–0 home loss against Real Madrid.[17] He scored two goals in the 2017–18 season, which ended in relegation for the Galician team.

Newcastle United[edit]

On 26 July 2018, following Deportivo de La Coruña's relegation from La Liga, Schär signed a three-year deal with Newcastle United after the club had activated his £3 million buy out clause in his contract.[18]

He made his debut for the club on 26 August 2018 in a 2–1 defeat to Chelsea. Schär scored his first goals for Newcastle against Cardiff City on 19 January 2019, netting twice in a 3–0 victory at St James' Park.[19] He scored his third Newcastle goal against Burnley in a 2–0 win, opening the scoring with a 30-yard strike that would win Premier League and Match of the Day's February Goal of the Month competition. His fourth goal came in the final game of the season, and eventual 4–0 win over Fulham.[20]

On 4 October 2023, Schär scored his first Champions League goal for Newcastle United against Paris Saint-Germain in a 4–1 home victory during the 2023–24 season group stage.[21]

On 8 January 2024, Schär extended his contract with Newcastle until the summer of 2025.[22]

On 13 April 2024, Schär netted his 50th career goal during United's 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.[23]

International career[edit]

Youth[edit]

Schär was a Switzerland youth international having played at under-20 and under-21 level. Schär made his international debut for the Swiss U-20 team in a game against Poland U-20 on 17 November 2011. He played his first game for the Swiss U-21 on 29 February 2012 in the 2–1 defeat against the Austrian U-21. He scored his first goal for the Swiss U-21 during his fourth appearance for them on 10 September 2012 in a match against Estonia U-21[24] This was the final game in the qualification to the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. Switzerland finished in second position and entered the play-offs. In the first leg of the qualification play-offs on 12 October 2012 against the German U-21 team Schär was shown the red card after he fouled Sebastian Polter as last man. Despite the goal from the penalty spot the game ended in a 1–1 draw.[25]

He was selected to represent Switzerland in the men's football tournament at the 2012 Summer Olympics as part of the Swiss under-23 team.[26] He played over 90 minutes in the first two games of the tournament, but the team were knocked out, finishing in fourth position of their Group.

Senior[edit]

Schär with Switzerland in 2015

On 8 August 2013, Schär was called up to Swiss senior team for the first time[27] and made his debut on the friendly match vs Brazil on 14 August 2013.[28][29]

On 6 September 2013, scored his first goal for the Swiss senior team in a 4–4 home draw against Iceland. Four days later, on 10 September, Schär scored two more goals in a 2–0 away win over Norway.[30]

On 13 May 2014, Schär was named in Switzerland's squad for the 2014 World Cup.[31] He made his tournament debut as a starter in the team's third match, replacing the injured Steve von Bergen and helping Switzerland to a clean sheet in a 3–0 defeat of Honduras.[32]

In Switzerland's first game of Euro 2016, Schär headed Xherdan Shaqiri's corner kick after five minutes for the only goal against Albania in Lens.[33]

He was included in the Swiss team 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup.[34]

In May 2019, he was named to the national team for the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League final matches and played in all two matches but finished 4th.[35]

In 2021, he was called up to the national team for the 2020 UEFA European Championship, where the team created one of the main sensations of the tournament reaching the quarter-finals.[36]

In November 2022, he was selected in the final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[37]

Personal life[edit]

Schär has a girlfriend, Alexandra Munger.[38] In 2023 he completed a degree in Sports Management.[39]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 13 April 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Wil 2009–10 Swiss Challenge League 2 0 0 0 2 0
2010–11 Swiss Challenge League 24 4 1 0 25 4
2011–12 Swiss Challenge League 26 5 3 0 29 5
Total 52 9 4 0 56 9
Basel 2012–13[41] Swiss Super League 21 4 3 0 14[c] 4 38 8
2013–14[42] Swiss Super League 22 4 1 0 12[d] 2 35 6
2014–15[43] Swiss Super League 30 1 4 0 7[e] 0 41 1
Total 73 9 8 0 33 6 114 15
1899 Hoffenheim 2015–16[44] Bundesliga 24 1 1 0 25 1
2016–17[45] Bundesliga 6 0 1 0 7 0
Total 30 1 2 0 32 1
Deportivo La Coruña 2017–18[46] La Liga 25 2 2 0 27 2
Newcastle United 2018–19[47] Premier League 24 4 3 0 1 0 28 4
2019–20[48] Premier League 22 2 4 0 1 0 27 2
2020–21[49] Premier League 18 1 0 0 1 0 19 1
2021–22[50] Premier League 25 2 1 0 0 0 26 2
2022–23[51] Premier League 36 1 0 0 5 0 41 1
2023–24[52] Premier League 32 4 4 0 1 0 6[e] 1 43 5
Total 157 14 12 0 9 0 6 1 184 15
Career total 337 35 28 0 9 0 39 7 413 42
  1. ^ Includes Swiss Cup, DFB-Pokal, Copa del Rey, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, thirteen appearances and four goals in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Ten appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International[edit]

As of match played 26 March 2024[53]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Switzerland 2013 5 3
2014 5 1
2015 7 1
2016 11 2
2017 7 0
2018 12 0
2019 7 1
2020 4 0
2021 11 0
2022 6 0
2023 3 0
2024 2 0
Total 80 8
As of match played 26 March 2024. Switzerland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Schär goal.[54]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 6 September 2013 Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland 2  Iceland 2–1 4–4 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 10 September 2013 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway 3  Norway 1–0 2–0
3 2–0
4 15 November 2014 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland 9  Lithuania 2–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
5 27 March 2015 Swissporarena, Lucerne, Switzerland 11  Estonia 1–0 3–0
6 11 June 2016 Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France 21  Albania 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2016
7 10 October 2016 Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella, Andorra 27  Andorra 1–0 2–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
8 5 September 2019 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 51  Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours[edit]

Basel

Newcastle United

Individual

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "2018 FIFA World Cup: List of players" (PDF). FIFA. 24 June 2018. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Fabian Schär: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Olympia-Teilnehmer Schär zum FCB". Schweizerischer Fussballverband (in German). 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Der FCB verpflichtet Innenverteidiger Fabian Schär vom FC Wil 1900" (in German). FC Basel 1893. 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  5. ^ Weber, Dominik (29 September 2012). "FCB kommt bei Lausanne-Sport nicht über ein 1:1-Remis hinaus" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  6. ^ Meister, Remo (7 October 2012). "Der FCB holt gegen Servette den fünften Liga-Sieg, Tor-Premiere für Schär" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  7. ^ Schifferle, Michael (10 June 2013). "Season review: Switzerland". UEFA. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Telegramm Schweizer Cup Fina" (in German). Schweizerischer Fussballverband. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  9. ^ Haylett, Trevor (3 May 2013). "Basel take heart after Chelsea defeat". UEFA. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  10. ^ Grossenbacher, Sacha (2014). "Fotos vom Spiel gegen Lausanne sowie den anschliessenden Feierlichkeiten" (in German). FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  11. ^ Marti, Caspar (2015). "Der Meisterfreitag im bunten Zeitraffer". FC Basel 1893. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015. (in German)
  12. ^ "Liverpool 1 Basel 1". BBC Sport. 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Yacine Brahimi and Casemiro turn on the style to help Porto defeat Basel". The Guardian. 10 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Fabian Schär kommt vom FC Basel zur TSG". TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Archived from the original on 7 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Uth köpft Hoffenheim zum Sieg gegen Hertha". kicker.de (in German). 16 April 2016.
  16. ^ "New Player! Fabian Schär". Deportivo La Coruña. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  17. ^ "Imponente campeón" [Imposing champion] (in Spanish). Marca. 21 August 2017. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Newcastle sign Switzerland defender Fabian Schar from Deportivo La Coruna". espn.com. ESPN. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Newcastle lifted themselves out of the relegation zone and leapfrogged Cardiff as they secured a much-needed win over Neil Warnock's side". BBC. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  20. ^ Edwards, Luke; Bagchi, Rob (26 February 2019). "Fabian Schar screamer eases Newcastle to serene victory over pedestrian Burnley". The Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  21. ^ "WATCH: A rocket to dreamland! Fabian Schar blasts home late screamer to send sorry Kylian Mbappe & PSG packing". Goal.com. 4 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Fabian Schär extends Newcastle United contract to 2025". Newcastle United Football Club. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Isak scores twice as Newcastle thump Spurs". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Switzerland triumph over Estonia". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Drmic intervention saves ten-man Switzerland". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 12 October 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  26. ^ "Schweiz mit Behrami, Benaglio und Klose an die Olympischen Spiele". Schweizerischer Fussballverband (in German). 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Switzerland calls up Schaer, Lang for Brazil match". AP NEWS. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  28. ^ "Switzerland 1–0 Brazil: Alves own goal hands Hitzfeld's men famous win | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  29. ^ "Switzerland vs. Brazil – Football Match Summary – August 14, 2013 – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  30. ^ Aarre, Eivind (10 September 2013). "Schär leaves Switzerland with one foot in Brazil". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  31. ^ "World Cup 2014: Pajtim Kasami on standby for Switzerland". BBC. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  32. ^ "Switzerland 3–0 Honduras". BBC. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  33. ^ Tweedale, Alistair; Liew, Jonathan (11 June 2016). "Switzerland down 10-man Albania as Xhaka derby is settled by Fabian Schar header". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ The Washington Post[dead link]
  35. ^ "Pickford the hero in England shootout win". BBC Sport.
  36. ^ https://www.uefa.com / uefaeuro-2020 / match / 2024485 – switzerland-vs-spain / lineups /? iv = true
  37. ^ "Murat Yakin gibt Schweizer WM-Aufgebot bekannt" [Murat Yakin announces Swiss World Cup squad] (in German). Swiss Football Association. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  38. ^ "Meet the Newcastle United WAGS cheering on the team at Wembley". 26 February 2023.
  39. ^ "Shields Gazette".
  40. ^ "Fabian Schar statistics". ogol. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  41. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  44. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  46. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  48. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  50. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  51. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  52. ^ "Games played by Fabian Schär in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  53. ^ "Fabian Schär". EU-Football.info. 24 June 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  54. ^ Fabian Schär at Soccerway
  55. ^ "F. Schär". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  56. ^ McNulty, Phil (26 February 2023). "Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  57. ^ "Schar delight at Carling Goal of the Month". Premier League. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  58. ^ "Schär and Longstaff receive North East Football Writers' Association awards". Newcastle United Football Club. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  59. ^ "Super League – Salah zum SL-"Spieler des Jahres" gewählt". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 27 January 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  60. ^ "Gashi footballeur de l'année 2014". Le Matin (in French). 2 February 2015. ISSN 1018-3736. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

External links[edit]