Jean Makoun
Nationality :
Cameroonian
Date of Birth :
29/05/1983
Height :
5' 8" (173cm)
Weight :
10st 12lbs (69.0kg)
Squad Number :
17
Previous Clubs :
Lyon, Lille
Position :
Midfielder
All the talk after Jean II Makoun's arrival at Villa focused on fashion and not football.
Makoun's jazzy jumper caused a right stir with supporters, as they hailed the smiling midfielder's sense of style.
But it's definitely Makoun's elegance, panache and flair on the pitch which will be heralded as he looks to make a midfield berth his own in 2011-12.
There's no doubt Makoun can break up play but it's his range of passing and intelligence on the ball which has impressed many since his arrival in B6.
He was paraded on the pitch before the 1-0 home victory over Manchester City and three days later he made his debut in a 2-1 success at Wigan, although he didn't have the best of nights at the DW Stadium.
It had been several weeks since he had last played and he eventually came off with a thigh problem.
But his next match, at Manchester United, illustrated precisely why he will go on to become an amazing acquisition for the claret and blues.
Despite a 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford, he was constantly involved in the action, making a total of 94 passes - 85 of them accurate.
He was impressive at home to Fulham, too, only to find himself sidelined for five weeks when he was sent off for a mistimed challenged on DJ Campbell in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool.
His end to the season was blighted by a thigh injury and he also missed the final game against Liverpool for family reasons.
But he is raring to go in 2011-12. He has been backed to succeed in claret and blue by a player whose place he might take in the long-term.
Nigel Reo-Coker was impressed with the impact of Jean II Makoun in Villa's midfield during 2010-11 - but believes the star signing's best is yet to come.
Reo-Coker was thrilled with the way Makoun adapted to the demands of English football since making the January switch from French side Lyon. But he reckons Villa have only seen glimpses of what the Cameroon international is capable of.
Makoun began his career in his native Cameroon at Cotonsport Garoua, where he was part of the team's youth set-up.
Following this, he spent time at fellow Cameroonian sides Jeunesse Star and Tonnerre Yaounde, before eventually moving to France to join Ligue One side Lille.
Makoun became a firm fixture in the Lille side and a firm favourite, making more than 150 appearances in the country's top-flight and playing Champions League football too.
His performances attracted interest from clubs around Europe, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Monaco, Marseille and Lyon.
The 27-year-old opted to move to seven-time French champions Lyon in June 2008.
One of the highlights of his time with Lyon came in February 2010 when he scored the only goal in Lyon's first Champions League knockout round win over Real Madrid, hitting a looping shot from 25 yards out over the head of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
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