Frédéric Frans

Frédéric Frans (born 3 January 1989) is a Belgian professional football player who plays as a defender for Beerschot Wilrijk in the Belgian First Division B., where he spent eight years until his move to Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle in 2014. After two years at the Glasgow club, Frans returned to Lierse in June 2016. He then returned to Scottish football in 2018, signing for Dundee United. He left the club in 2019 and returned to Belgium following the collapse of the original Lierse. He then signed for Beerschot Wilrijk in the Belgian First Division B. Frans has also represented Belgium at youth level.

Frédéric Frans
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-01-03) 3 January 1989
Place of birth Wespelaar, Belgium
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position(s) Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Beerschot Wilrijk
Number 44
Youth career
1995–2006 Lierse
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2014 Lierse 99 (4)
2014–2016 Partick Thistle 41 (3)
2016–2018 Lierse 65 (3)
2018–2019 Dundee United 20 (1)
2019–2020 Lierse Kempenzonen ? (?)
2020- Beerschot Wilrijk 6 (2)
National team
2007 Belgium U18 1 (0)
2007–2008 Belgium U19 6 (0)
2010 Belgium U20 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:50, 1 March 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Lierse S.K.

Frans first joined Lierse at age six when he was spotted by Lierse's scout whilst playing for Olympia Wespelaar. Frans had progress throughout the youth team and soon under the management of Kjetil Rekdal, Frans was given a debut, coming on as a substitute for Yoni Buyens in the 90th minute, in a 3–0 loss against Genk on 27 January 2007.[1] Shortly after, Frans signed his first professional contract with the club when he was 17.[2] Frans went on to make thirteen appearances for the club in his second half of the season, though it saw Lierse relegated to the Second Division.

Frans then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2–1 loss against Charleroi on 1 March 2008. Frans went on to make twenty-three appearances in his first full season at Lierse. The next season saw Frans score three goals against VW Hamme in the opening game of the season and also another against them on 27 December 2008; and Eupen[3] in his twenty-three appearances. The 2009–10 season saw things going good for Lierse, as Frans helped the club win the second division. Frans was soon appointed as the new captain of Lierse under the management of Eric Van Meir.[4]

However the 2010–11 season didn't go well for Frans after he injured his knee that kept him out throughout the season, which he made eleven appearances.[5] Weeks before the injury, Frans was involved in an incident that got him sent-off against Club Brugge on 13 November 2010 and eventually, his sending off was rescinded.[6] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Frans signed a three-year contract with Lierse, keeping him until 2014.[7]

In the 2011–12 season, Frans made his first appearance of the season since recovering from his injury, in a 2–1 loss against Mechelen on 14 August 2011.[8] Frans was then sent-off in a 4–0 loss against Anderlecht on 30 October 2011 and this saw him receive a one match ban, as well as, being fined for 100 euro.[9] He then scored his first goal, in a 2–2 draw against Kortrijk on 17 December 2011.[10] Frans was largely used in the first team, as he made thirteen appearances.

In the 2012–13 season, Frans sustained a knee injury in training that caused him to miss the start of the season.[11] After being sidelined for a month, Frans made his first appearance of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Mechelen on 16 February 2013.[12] From that point, Frans went on to make nine appearances for the rest of the season.

In 2013–14 season, Frans was once again on the sideline at the start of the season[13] and made his first appearance of the season, in a 1–0 loss against Lokeren on 30 October 2013.[14] Two months later, on 26 December 2013, Frans was sent-off, in a 3–0 win over Mechelen and after this, the club appealed against his suspension.[15] As a result, Frans' suspension was reduced to one game, though he was fined 300 euro.[16] After making five appearances, Frans was released by the club, ending his nineteen years association with the club.[17] Frans later revealed he was offered a three-year contract with the club, but turned it down, due to the current situation with the club's ownership.[18][19]

During his career at Lierse, Frans revealed he's good friends with Charlie Miller.[2]

Partick Thistle

He joined the club in October 2014 on a three-month contract, having been out of contract at his previous club, Lierse, earlier in the year.[20] Frans revealed that he was all set to join Leeds United, but the move fell through after the club sacked Dave Hockaday and find then club's owner Massimo Cellino strange the way he ran the club.[21] Frans also stated that after leaving Lierse, he was keen to play abroad.[2]

Frans made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.[22] On 15 December 2014, Frans agreed an extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2016.[23] Frans then scored his first goal for the Jags in 2–2 draw away to Kilmarnock on 24 January 2015.[24] Frans then scored his second goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Ross County. Frans collected the ball and unleashed a 30-yard shot past the keeper into the net.[25] In his first season at Partick Thistle, Frans made twenty-two appearances and scored two times in all competitions.

Dundee United

After two seasons back at Lierse, Frans signed for Scottish Championship club Dundee United in June 2018.[26] On 2 September 2019, Dundee United announced that Frans had left the club, having made 25 appearances and scoring two goals while with the club.[27]

International career

Frans has represented Belgium at various youth levels, from under 18 to under 20.

Personal life

Frans got married in 2013.[28]

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References
  1. "Match Report: KRC Genk 3 – 1 Lierse" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad.be. 27 January 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  2. "Partick Thistle new boy says special bond with Charlie Miller sealed move". STV Sport. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  3. "Lierse 4 Eupen 1" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  4. "VOETBAL 1ste KLASSE CHARLEROI-LIERSE Nieuwe aanvoerder van Lierse Frederic Frans draait zwarte bladzijde om" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad.be. 25 September 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  5. "Eric wil eens een goed gesprek met Samy" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  6. "Geen schorsing voor Frédéric Frans" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  7. "FRÉDÉRIC FRANS BLIJFT BIJ LIERSE" (in Dutch). Lierse Official Website. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  8. "Lierse verliest eerste keer dit seizoen" (in Dutch). Lierse Official Website. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  9. "Frédéric Frans (Lierse) krijgt één wedstrijd schorsing". Nieuwsblad. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  10. "Drie gouden punten voor Lierse" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  11. "Lierse is ook Frans voor maanden kwijt" (in Dutch). Sporza.be. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  12. "Lierse verliest derby met 0–2" (in Dutch). Lierse Official Website. 16 February 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  13. "'Twee echte Lierse boys'" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  14. "Lierse verliest onverdiend met kleinste verschil in Lokeren". Lierse Official Website. 30 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  15. "Lierse in beroep tegen schorsing Frédéric Frans" (in Dutch). De Standaard. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  16. "Geschillencommissie vermindert straf Frédéric Frans" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  17. "Losada: "Ze zijn allemaal talentvolle en goede spelers"" (in Dutch). Voetbal Nieuwa. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  18. "Partick Thistle newboy Freddy Frans glad to settle in at Firhill after bonkers spell at Leeds under eccentric chief Massimo Cellino". Daily Record. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  19. "Craziness of Lierse and Leeds leaves me glad for calmness of Partick Thistle, says Frederic Frans". Daily Record. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  20. "Partick Thistle sign free agent Frederic Frans on deal until January". STV Sport. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  21. "Frederic Frans: Lierse was mad, Leeds was crazy ... but Firhill is so chilled". Glasgow Evening Times. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  22. "MATCH REPORT: PARTICK THISTLE 0 ST JOHNSTONE 0". Partick Thistle F.C. 25 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  23. "FREDERIC FRANS PENS CONTRACT EXTENSION". Partick Thistle F.C. 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  24. "Kilmarnock 2–2 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  25. "Ross County 1 – 2 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  26. "Frederic Frans: Dundee United sign Belgian defender on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  27. "Freddy Frans leaves". Dundee United Football Club. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  28. "Van Meir: "Bewust geen oefenwedstrijd gepland in eerste week"" (in Dutch). Voetbal Nieuws. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
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