Arthur Theate
Theate with Rennes in 2023
Personal information
Full name Arthur Nicolas Theate[1]
Date of birth (2000-05-25) 25 May 2000
Place of birth Liège, Belgium
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Rennes
Number 5
Youth career
2005–2009 Alliance Melen-Micheroux
2009–2011 Eupen
2011–2014 Genk
2014–2017 Standard Liège
2017–2019 Genk
2019–2020 Standard Liège
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Oostende 38 (5)
2021–2022 → Bologna (loan) 31 (2)
2022– Rennes 47 (5)
International career‡
2015 Belgium U15 4 (0)
2015 Belgium U16 1 (0)
2017 Belgium U17 1 (0)
2017–2018 Belgium U18 7 (0)
2018–2019 Belgium U19 6 (0)
2021 Belgium U21 3 (0)
2021– Belgium 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 08:29, 8 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2023

Arthur Nicolas Theate (born 25 May 2000) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ligue 1 club Rennes and the Belgium national team.

Club career

Early years

Theate played youth football for Alliance Melen-Micheroux, Eupen, Genk and Standard Liège.[3] Until reaching the under-14 level, he played as a striker at Eupen. At Genk, he was repositioned as a left winger after the arrival of a new player, after which he moved to the position of left-back and then centre-back.[4] During his time at the Genk youth academy, his future at times looked uncertain, and he was described as being physically tough, but not always refined.[5]

After three years playing for the Genk youth teams, he joined Standard Liège where he also struggled with regular midfielder Damjan Pavlović being played as left-back in the youth team to replace Theate.[5] He soon returned to Genk, where he trained with the first team during the 2019–20 pre-season under head coach Felice Mazzu. After this, however, Theate failed to make the cut and was demoted to the reserves. He returned to Standard in 2019, but barely a year after his return, Standard let him go again.[5]

Oostende

In the summer of 2020, Theate saw no prospects of succeeding at Standard Liège, after which he was offered a trial with Belgian First Division A club Oostende. After a week of practicing with the first team, he was able to convince German coach Alexander Blessin of his abilities. Blessin mainly noticed his explosiveness and power, ideal for his high five-man backline and Gegenpressing tactics. Previously, Theate had not been able to convince Lommel or Lierse Kempenzonen during trials.[5]

In July 2020, he signed a three-year contract with an option with Oostende. Theate made his debut on 10 August 2020 in the Belgian First Division A against Beerschot, featuring in starting line-up.[6] Together with Anton Tanghe he grew into the permanent centre-back duo in the Oostende defence. On 4 October 2020, he scored his first professional goal, heading home a cross against Royal Excel Mouscron putting his team in a good position ahead of their 3–0 victory.[7][8]

During the winter transfer period of the 2020–21 season, Oostende received an offer for Theate of €5 million from Italian Serie A club Bologna, but the Belgian coastal club refused.[9] In his first season at Oostende, he managed to qualify for European play-offs, but eventually missed out. He missed only one game due to suspension and four matches due to injury, playing the entirety of the other 27 matches.

In the 2021–22 season, Theate did not make an appearance during the first two matchdays pending a possible transfer.[10] On the third matchday of the season, he returned to the starting line-up against Gent.[11] On 22 August 2021, he picked up a red card in his last game for Oostende against his former club Standard.[12] Theate played a total of 40 official matches for Oostende, in which he scored five goals.[13]

Bologna

On 26 August 2021, Theate signed with Serie A club Bologna on initial season-long loan, with a subsequent obligation to buy.[14]

On 18 September 2021, Theate made his Bologna debut against defending champions Inter Milan on the fourth matchday of the season. Theate came on as a substitute in the 74th minute behind 6–0 and headed in the 6–1 final score twelve minutes later.[15] Bologna had started the season with a four-man defense, but after conceding twelve goals in three games, coach Siniša Mihajlović started the game against Lazio on 3 October with five at the back with Theate as left-sided centre-back. This was also his first start for the club. Theate contributed with an assist and a goal in the 3–0 win.[16]

Theate impressed during his season at Bologna, making 31 league appearances in which he scored twice and provided one assist.[17]

Rennes

On 29 July 2022, Theate joined Ligue 1 club Rennes on a four-year deal,[18] for a reported fee of €20 million, making him the most expensive Belgian defender ever, above Thomas Vermaelen's 2014 move from Arsenal to Barcelona for €19 million.[19] Theate was to succeed Nayef Aguerd who had left for West Ham United.[20]

On the first matchday of the 2022–23 Ligue 1 season, Theate made his Rennes debut in the starting lineup against Lorient. He scored an own goal in the 65th minute, which proved to be decisive in the 1–0 loss.[21] On 21 August, Theate scored his first goal for the club against Ajaccio, heading home the 2–1 winner.[22] He also scored in his European debut with a strike from distance against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa League group stage, as Rennes won the game 2–1.[23] In Rennes' 1–0 league win over league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Theate was praised for shutting down Lionel Messi in a strong performance.[24][25]

On 14 September 2023, Theate signed a new contract with Rennes until June 2027.[26]

International career

Theate received his first call-up to the senior Belgium squad for the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals.[27] He made his debut on 16 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Wales.[28]

He was selected for national coach Roberto Martínez's squad ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,[29] but failed to make an appearance as the Red Devils were knocked out of the tournament at the group stages for the first time since 1998.[30]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 8 December 2023[31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
KV Oostende 2020–21 Belgian Pro League 35520—375
2021–22 Belgian Pro League 3000—30
Total 38520—405
Bologna (loan) 2021–22 Serie A 31200—312
Rennes 2022–23 Ligue 1 354105[lower-alpha 2]1415
2023–24 Ligue 1 1210050171
Total 47510101586
Career total 116123010112913

International

As of match played 19 November 2023[32]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Belgium 202110
202230
2023100
Total140

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Belgium (BEL)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 3. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ↑ "Arthur Theate" (in French). Stade Rennais F.C. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Les 3 générations de footeux". La Province (in French). 16 October 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  4. ↑ Gautier, Guillaume (20 October 2020). "Arthur Theate (KV Oostende): 'Bij Standard en Genk heb ik nooit echt een uitleg gekregen'". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Geril, Jürgen (10 November 2021). "Het sprookje van 'Koning' Arthur Theate: vorig jaar afgeschreven als profvoetballer, nu Rode Duivel". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Oostende haalt jonge verdediger Arthur Theate in huis". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Dutch). 13 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Oostende rekent thuis makkelijk af met Moeskroen en nestelt zich in de linkerkolom". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Het wonder van Arthur Theate: weggestuurd bij Genk en Standard, afgewezen door derdeklassers, nu Rode Duivel". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 7 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "KV Oostende weigerde Italiaans bod". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "KV Oostende vangt jackpot voor Arthur Theate, verdediger komt vanavond niet meer in actie". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Van Assche, Timmy (9 August 2021). "Arthur Theate na overwinning tegen AA Gent en eerste clean sheet: Bij KVO vormen we één familie". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Standard laat Sclessin intens vieren: Rouches kloppen KV Oostende en gaan voorlopig op kop". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Flemish). 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Van den Broeck, David; Verbeeke, Junior; Van Genechten, Vincent (18 March 2021). "Amper negen maanden prof, maar Arthur Theate al in het vizier van bondscoach Martinez: "Dat begrijp ik best"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 14 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Arthur Theate joins Bologna". Bologna. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  15. ↑ Heylen, Jens (18 September 2021). "Bologna en scorende Theate lopen tegen oplawaai aan bij landskampioen Inter". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  16. ↑ Conings, Wim (3 October 2021). "Straf: Belgische verdediger Theate (21) is bij eerste basisplek meteen goed voor goal én assist tegen Lazio". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  17. ↑ Hauspie, Jan (15 June 2022). "Arthur Theate: Ik ben ongelooflijk gelukkig geweest in Oostende". De Morgen (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  18. ↑ "Arthur Theate est Rouge et Noir !". STADE RENNAIS F.C. (in French). 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "Duurste Belgische verdediger ooit: Arthur Theate ruilt Bologna voor Stade Rennes". Sport/Voetbalmagazine (in Flemish). 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  20. ↑ "Officieel: Rennes maakt van Rode Duivel Arthur Theate duurste Belgische verdediger ooit". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  21. ↑ "Arthur Theate debuteert bij Stade Rennes met ongelukkige owngoal". Sporza (in Dutch). 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  22. ↑ Vanhoof, Maarten (21 August 2022). "Arthur Theate bezorgt Rennes met welgemikte kopbal eerste overwinning van het seizoen". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  23. ↑ Conings, Wim (8 September 2022). "Rode Duivel Arthur Theate scoort nu ook in Europa voor nieuwe club Rennes". Het Belang van Limburg (in Flemish). Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  24. ↑ Raspiller, Julien (16 January 2023). "Comment Arthur Theate a muselé Messi, Neymar et Mbappé et s'érige de plus en plus comme un des futurs cadres des Diables rouges". Le Soir (in French). Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  25. ↑ "Theate houdt de nul tegen Messi en co, die voor tweede keer verliezen in 2023". Voetbalprimeur (in Flemish). 15 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "Le Stade Rennais F.C. prolonge sa charnière" [Stade Rennais F.C. extends its hinge] (in French). Stade Rennais. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "Italy 2-1 Belgium". BBC. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "Wales v Belgium game report". FIFA. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  29. ↑ Van Damme, Michael (10 November 2022). "VIDEO. Arthur Theate volgt WK-selectie op massagetafel, Rennes-ploegmaats dolblij voor hem en Jérémy Doku". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  30. ↑ Morse, Ben (1 December 2022). "Belgium knocked out of World Cup after goalless draw with Croatia as head coach Roberto Martinez steps down". CNN. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  31. ↑ Arthur Theate at Soccerway
  32. ↑ "Arthur Theate". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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