Aubameyang Could Be Key To Dortmund’s Success This Season
Personal information
Full name: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Date of birth: 18 June 1989
Age: 26
Place of birth: Laval, France
Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Forward / Winger
Club information
Current team: Borussia Dortmund
Number: 17
Youth career
2007–2008: Milan
Senior career
2008–2011: Milan 0 Appearances, 0 goals
2008–2009 → Dijon (loan) 39 Appearances, 10 goals
2009–2010 → Lille (loan) 24 Appearances, 2 goals
2010–2011 → Monaco (loan) 23 Appearances, 2 goals
2011–2013: Saint-Etienne 96 Appearances, 41 goals
2013– Borussia Dortmund 106 Appearances, 55 goals
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived from St Etienne in 2013 and, after beginning his time at Dortmund on the right wing, he was converted into a central attacker by former Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp after Robert Lewandowski’s move to Bayern Munich. The Gabon international was one of the few players not to disappoint for Dortmund last season.
Dortmund are the sixth club that Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has played for as a professional player, having played for a total of 14 clubs in the past. The many clubs that he played for as a youngster are testament to the fact that his father Pierre was also a professional footballer who often moved clubs. The Gabon international, who was born in western France and holds a French passport, has already left his mark on Borussia Dortmund. He was the first player in Dortmund’s history to start a season by scoring a hat trick (scoring 3 goals in Dortmund’s 4-0 win over Augsburg at the start of 2013/14 season). In his first two years at Dortmund, he was a consistent goal threat with 12 and then 16 league goals. In the 2014/15 season, he scored 25 goals in all competitions, providing 10 assists. Another of his weapons is his speed. He could be as fast as 100 metre record holder Usain Bolt – at least for the first 30 metres.
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Aubameyang isn’t a classic winger who shines as a playmaker, more as a finisher who feels more at home in the middle of attack. He has already had to make changes and move around a lot in his career. And, interestingly, he has always made these troublesome moves. As an 18 year old, he arrived at world renowned AC Milan. However, he failed to establish himself there and was put on loan; first to Dijon, in Ligue 2, then to Lille, Monaco and finally St. Etienne. Not glittering top-flight clubs, but clubs that made him strong and hardened him up. At St. Etienne, who bought him after 6 months on loan, he was constantly improving. It is definitely this unusual framework that is so fascinating about the Gabonese international. Not that he needs to, especially since his performance charts in Dortmund have improved far more than when he was playing in the South of France. Aubameyang recently signed a contract extension at Dortmund until 2020. He had been linked with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer but extended his previous terms by two years. The 26-year-old told his club’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted that the next years of my career will be spent at Borussia Dortmund. I feel very happy at the club, in this team and in this city.
Aubameyang has revealed that he is targeting 20 goals in the Bundesliga this season. He has played a key role in helping Thomas Tuchel start his reign with 11 victories in all competitions by scoring 12 times during the stretch of games. He currently has nine strikes to his name in the league, and he is confident that his relationship with Tuchel will help achieve more success. Last weekend, Aubameyang became the first player in Bundesliga history to score in the opening seven games of a season, but it was still not enough to see Dortmund win as they settled for just a point, leaving them four behind leaders Bayern Munich, who have won all seven their matches so far. Aubameyang and Dortmund will travel to title rivals and favourites Bayern at the weekend, hoping to draw first blood from the Bavarians who are unscathed so far this term but then again so are the team in yellow and black. Aubameyang has been a key player for Dortmund this season and he needs to be at his very best against Bayern if his team are to claim bragging rights.