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Lawrence Ati-Zigi

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Lawrence Ati-Zigi
Ati-Zigi in 2017
Personal information
Full name Lawrence Ati-Zigi[1]
Date of birth (1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Tamale, Ghana
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 St. Gallen
Number 1
Youth career
0000–2015 Red Bull Ghana
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Red Bull Salzburg 0 (0)
2015–2017 → FC Liefering (loan) 33 (0)
2017–2020 Sochaux 23 (0)
2020– St. Gallen 159 (0)
International career‡
2015 Ghana U-20 4 (0)
2018– Ghana 26 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024 (UTC)

Lawrence Ati-Zigi (born 29 November 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for FC St. Gallen and the Ghana national team.[3]

Ati-Zigi has represented Ghana at under-17 and under-20 levels. He has been to two African Cup of Nations (2019 and 2021) but featured in none. He made his debut for the Ghana national team in June 2018 in a friendly against Iceland. He was the starting goalkeeper in Ghana's 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Club career

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Ati-Zigi playing for RB Salzburg in 2017

Liefering

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In January 2015, Ati-Zigi joined Red Bull Salzburg from Ghanaian feeder club Red Bull Ghana. Ati-Zigi was immediately loaned out to reserve team FC Liefering who play in the Austria 2. Liga.[4] He joined other Ghanaian players including David Atanga and Raphael Dwamena.Ati-Zigi made his league debut for Liefering on 17 April 2015, when his club beat TSV Hartberg 4–1 at Untersberg-Arena.[4] After his debut, he went ahead to play in six consecutive league matches. At the end of his first season, he played six league matches with Liefering finishing in second place in the 2014–15 Austrian Football First League.[3]

The following season, he featured in 16 out of 36 games as the club finished in fourth place in the 2015–16 Austrian Football First League. He also made the Red Bull Salzburg match day squad twice, due to that earned a medal as Salzburg won the 2015–16 Austrian Football Bundesliga.[5][3] In his final season with Liefering, he played in 11 games to help the club secure a second place finish in the 2016–17 Austrian Football First League.[3][6] In total he featured in 33 matches for Liefering in this two year stint.

Sochaux

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Ati-Zigi playing for Sochaux in 2018

In July 2017, Ati-Zigi joined French team FC Sochaux-Montbéliard on a three-year deal reuniting with his former coach Peter Zeidler from Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg.[7][8] He made his club debut in the first round of the in a Coupe de la Ligue on 8 August 2017 against Valenciennes which ended in a 3–1 loss.[9]

Over the season, he remained as the second choice goalkeeper behind Maxence Prévot being named in the match day squad for the 24 consecutive times. On 9 February 2019, seven months after signing for the club, he made his Ligue 2 debut against Stade de Reims after coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute for Prévot who sustained an injury; Ati-Zigi conceded two goals as Souchaux lost 3–0.[10] Afterwards he kept the post for the next five league matches, keeping a clean sheet in one. At the end of his first season with Montbéliard side he had made 12 appearances. Out of the 12 appearances, four of those were in Coupe de France, for which he was the main goalkeeper.[3] He helped the club to reach the round of 16 after three victories in the early stages, including saving a penalty in their 5–4 penalty shootout in the first round against FC Saint-Louis Neuweg and keeping a clean sheet in their round of 32 match against Ligue 1 side Amiens which ended in 6–0.[11] They were eliminated in the round of 16, after losing to defending champions PSG by 4–1.[12][13]

In the 2018–19 season, Ati-Zigi remained the second choice goalkeeper behind Prévot. He played his first league match of the season on 22 December 2018, keeping a clean sheet in their 1–0 over Lorient.[14]

St. Gallen

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On 16 January 2020, Ati-Zigi joined Swiss-club FC St. Gallen on a two and half-year deal with his contract set to expire in June 2023.[15][16] Ati-Zigi made his debut for the club against FC Lugano in a Swiss Super League match on 26 January, helping the club to a 3–1 victory.[17]

On 26 October 2020, in a league match against Lugano, Ati-Zigi was subjected to intense racist chants from the opponent's fan base. After the match, Lugano issued a statement and apology via social media to St. Gallen and Ati-Zigi stating – “We would like to apologize to FC St. Gallen and the player. There must be no place for racism. The club will do its best to find those responsible."[18][19]

On 14 September 2022, St. Gallen announced that Ati-Zigi had signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the Swiss club until 2025.[20][21] On 25 October 2022, Ati-Zigi played his 100th Swiss Super League match, in a 1–1 draw against Servette.[22][23] Prior to that he had played his 100th match in all competitions against Sion on 10 September.

International career

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Ati-Zigi was a member of the Ghana national under-17 team in 2013 and he played for the team in the 2013 African U-17 Championship.[24][25][26] In 2015, he was promoted to the Ghana under-20 side. He earned a place in the final squad for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[27] He started in all four games as Ghana was eliminated by Mali in the round of 16.[28]

On 23 August 2017, Ati-Zigi received his first call-up to the Ghana senior national team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification games against Congo on 1 and 5 September 2017.[29] On 7 June 2018, Ati-Zigi made his senior national team debut for Ghana, starting and playing 90 minutes in a friendly match against Iceland that ended in a 2–2 draw.[30]

Ati-Zigi was part of the Ghanaian team in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations that was eliminated at the group stage of the competition.[31][32]

On 14 November 2022, Ati-Zigi was named in the 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[33] Following injuries to Ghana's first and second choice goalkeepers, Joe Wollacott and Richard Ofori, with both missing out on the competition, he was set to be the first choice goalkeeper for the Black Stars.[34][35] On 17 November, he manned the post for the Black Stars and kept a clean sheet in their 2–0 pre-world cup friendly match against Switzerland. The start was his first start in over a year.[36]

On 24 November 2022, he made his world cup debut and started in Ghana’s opening group match of World Cup against Portugal which ended in a 3–2 loss to Ghana.[37][38][39] In the season group game against South Korea, Ati-Zigi played the full time of the match and made several crucial saves which secured Ghana's first win at the 2022 World Cup by winning 3–2.[40] His performance earned him positive reviews, ratings and commendations from football fans across the world.[41][42]

Career statistics

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International

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As of matches played on 15 October 2024[43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Ghana 2018 1 0
2019 2 0
2020 1 0
2021 2 0
2022 6 0
2023 5 0
2024 8 0
Total 26 0

Honours

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Red Bull Salzburg

St. Gallen

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Ghana (GHA)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 14. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ "FC St.Gallen 1879 | Ati Zigi Lawrence". FC St. Gallen (in German). Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ghana - L. Ati Zigi - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b Frimpong, Akyereko (18 April 2015). "Liefering capture goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi". News Ghana. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Atanga, Ati-Zigi and Dwamena win Austrian Bundesliga title". GhanaWeb. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi moves to Sochaux on three-year deal". GhanaSoccernet. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  7. ^ Gyamera-Antwi, Evans (11 July 2017). "Sochaux sign Ghanaian goalkeeper Ati until 2020". Goal. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Ati Zigi finally signs three-year contract with Sochaux". GhanaWeb. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  9. ^ Obodai, Reuben (8 August 2017). "Ghana goalkeeper Ati-Zigi's debut for French Sochaux ends in heavy defeat despite heroics". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Ghana goalie Ati-Zigi marks league debut for Sochaux in loss against Stade de Reims". GhanaSoccernet. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Résultat Sochaux - Amiens, Coupe de France, 32es de finale, Dimanche 07 Janvier 2018". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  12. ^ "French Cup round-up: Angel Di Maria nets hat-trick in PSG win, Marseille hit nine in victory". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  13. ^ Willis, S. (6 February 2018). "PSG slug Sochaux; nine of the best for OM". Ligue1. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Aufstellung | FC Sochaux - FC Lorient 1:0 | 19. Spieltag | Ligue 2 2018/19". kicker (in German). Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi joins St. Gallen". The Ghana Guardian News. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Sochaux announce Lawrence Ati Zigi move to St. Gallen". Footy-GHANA.com. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  17. ^ Mumin, Lukman Abdul (27 January 2020). "Lawrence Ati-Zigi impresses on Swiss Super League debut for Saint Gallen". GhanaSoccernet. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  18. ^ "FC Lugano apologises for racist abuse of St Gallen's Lawrence Ati-Zigi". Ghana Soccernet. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Ghana international goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi suffers racist abuse in Swiss League". Ghana Soccernet. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi signs new St Gallen contract until 2025". GhanaSoccernet. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  21. ^ "St. Gallen pleased to extend contract of Lawrence Ati-Zigi - Head of Sport". GhanaWeb. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  22. ^ Mintah, Yaw Loic (25 October 2022). "St. Gallen salutes Ati-Zigi on reaching century of appearances". Citi Sports Online. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  23. ^ "St Gallen celebrate Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi after reaching centenary appearances". GhanaSoccernet. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Under-17 side set AC Milan, Inter & Juventus friendly". GhanaWeb. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Ghana U17 coach names squad for South Africa in final CAF U17 qualifier". GhanaSoccernet. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  26. ^ "2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Ghana squad profiles- Lawrence Ati-Zigi". GhanaSoccernet. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  27. ^ "Sellas Tetteh picks final squad for 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup". Ghana Football Association. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Mali wonder goals see off Ghana at U-20 World Cup". SBS Sport. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Ghana squad for World Cup double-header against Congo| News | Black Stars |Ghanafa.org". Archived from the original on 26 August 2017.
  30. ^ "Iceland vs. Ghana - 7 June 2018 - Soccerway".
  31. ^ "Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi among twelve Swiss-based players to participate in AFCON 2021". Footballghana. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Ghana dumped out of Afcon by Comoros". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  33. ^ "Otto Addo announces squad for World Cup finals". Ghana Football Association. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  34. ^ "2022 World Cup: Ghana keepers Wollacott and Ofori ruled out, Black Stars final squad hit with surprises | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  35. ^ "World Cup 2022: Ghana coach picks Lawrence Ati-Zigi as No.1 for Qatar tournament". GhanaSoccernet. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  36. ^ "World Cup 2022: Black Stars coach Otto Addo impressed by Lawrence Ati-Zigi's performance against Switzerland". GhanaSoccernet. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  37. ^ Hafez, Shamoon (24 November 2022). "Portugal 3-2 Ghana". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  38. ^ Neil, Johnston (24 November 2022). "Ronaldo sets World Cup record as Portugal edge Ghana in thriller - reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  39. ^ "World Cup 2022: St Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi stopped Ronaldo twice in Ghana-Portugal clash". GhanaSoccernet. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  40. ^ "Kudus Ghana's hero in breathless Korea Republic clash". CAFOnline.com. CAF-Confedération Africaine du Football. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  41. ^ "'Ati Zigi is the best keeper in the world' – Ghanaians laud goalkeeper's incredible saves from South Korea". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  42. ^ Tali, Selorm (28 November 2022). "'Ati Zigi is better than De Gea' - Fans praise Black Stars keeper for sterling performance". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  43. ^ "Lawrence Ati-Zigi". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  44. ^ "Einmal mehr Lawrence Ati Zigi" (in German). Swiss Football League. 9 November 2022.
  45. ^ "Bester Spieler der 23. Runde: Lawrence Ati Zigi". www.sfl.ch (in Swiss High German). 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  46. ^ "Lawrence Ati Zigi krönt das Jahr 2022" (in German). Swiss Football League. 7 December 2022.
  47. ^ "«Best Player» der Hinrunde für die Saison 2022/23 heisst: Lawrence Ati Zigi" (in German). Swiss Football League. 28 December 2022.
  48. ^ "Das SFL-Team der Saison 2022/23" (in German). Swiss Football League. 29 June 2023.
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