Benjamin Siegrist Explained

Benjamin Siegrist
Upright:0.9
Fullname:Benjamin Kevin Siegrist[1]
Birth Date:31 January 1992
Birth Place:Therwil, Switzerland
Height:1.94 m[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Rapid București
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:2000–2002
Youthclubs1:FC Therwil
Youthyears2:2002–2009
Youthclubs2:Basel
Youthyears3:2009–2012
Youthclubs3:Aston Villa
Years1:2012–2016
Clubs1:Aston Villa
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2013
Clubs2:Burton Albion (loan)
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2014
Clubs3:Cambridge United (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Solihull Moors (loan)
Caps4:14
Goals4:0
Years5:2016
Clubs5:Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
Caps5:1
Goals5:0
Years6:2016–2018
Clubs6:Vaduz
Caps6:32
Goals6:0
Years7:2018–2022
Clubs7:Dundee United
Caps7:121
Goals7:0
Years8:2022–2024
Clubs8:Celtic
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Rapid București
Caps9:1
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalteam1:Switzerland U17
Nationalcaps1:11
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2009
Nationalteam2:Switzerland U18
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2011
Nationalteam3:Switzerland U19
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2013
Nationalteam4:Switzerland U21
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:10 August 2024

Benjamin Kevin Siegrist (born 31 January 1992) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga I club Rapid București.

He was a member of the Switzerland squad at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and went on to represent the Swiss Under-21s.[3] In 2009, Siegrist was part of his nation's FIFA U-17 World Cup winning side, during which he also received the competition's inaugural Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper. During seven years in the Aston Villa Academy Siegrist undertook a series of short-term loans to English Football League and Conference sides. After a spell in the Swiss Super League with Vaduz, Siegrist signed for Scottish club Dundee United in 2018.

Club career

Aston Villa

Siegrist was born in Therwil, Basel-Country. Having been spotted playing for local side FC Therwil, Siegrist continued his youth career at FC Basel in his native Switzerland and during his time there he won the Swiss U-16 league in 2008.[4] In January 2009, just prior to his 17th birthday, he signed for Aston Villa of the Premier League. He represented the reserve and academy teams, and in July 2010 he linked up with local side Tamworth with a view to a season-long loan. The loan move never materialised, but Siegrist did play for the club in two pre-season friendlies against Rugby Town and Leamington.[5] As a Villa youth player, he helped the club to the reach the final of the 2009–10 FA Youth Cup (which was lost 3–2 on aggregate to Chelsea)[6] and the 2011–12 Premier Reserve League South title.

Ahead of the 2012–13 season Siegrist was promoted to Aston Villa's first team squad, receiving the number 39 shirt in the process.[7]

Loans

Siegrist joined Football League Two side Burton Albion on a one-month loan deal on 28 November 2013.[8] He was given the number one shirt and was named on the bench for Albion's match with Plymouth Argyle on 30 November 2013.[9] He made no appearances, largely due to the form of Dean Lyness, and returned to Aston Villa after one month.[10]

In March 2014 Siegrist joined Cambridge United of the Conference Premier, the fifth tier of English league football, on loan until the end of the season.[11] On 26 March 2014 Siegrist made his professional debut in a 3–0 win away to Salisbury City.[12] Siegrist played three matches for Cambridge conceding only one goal and helping the club to a second-place league finish, before a groin injury ended his spell at the club.

Siegrist joined Solihull Moors of the National League North on a one-month emergency loan on 8 October 2015 having recovered from a serious leg injury in May 2015.[13] He played in the FA Cup third qualifying round for Solihull against Worcester City, the Moors forced a replay with a 1–1 draw in the first match but lost 1–0 in the replay, despite a string of fine saves from Siegrist.[14] Siegrist made his league debut in a 1–1 draw away to Tamworth on 17 October 2015.[15] Siegrist was named man of the match in a 2–2 draw with Lowestoft Town on 7 November 2015, making a string of saves to keep Moors in the game.[16] Following a loan extension until March 2016 his good form continued as Moors moved clear at the top of the league in January 2016, they went on to win the league a few weeks after Siegrist's departure.[17]

On 19 March 2016, Siegrist joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season as cover, ultimately only playing a single match.[18]

Vaduz

Siegrist signed for Vaduz in the Swiss Super League in the Summer 2016 transfer window for a fee of £210,000.[19]

Dundee United

Siegrist signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship club Dundee United in June 2018.[20] Manager Csaba László initially used Siegrist as understudy to Matej Rakovan, but he had become first choice by the time Robbie Neilson became manager later that year. Siegrist was part of the Dundee United team that were declared Championship winners in 2019–20, and were subsequently promoted to the Scottish Premiership. He made his 100th appearance for the club against Kilmarnock in February 2021.[21] He made 131 saves in Premiership matches during the 2020–21 season, the most of any goalkeeper in the league, and won the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards,[22] despite missing the end of the season with a broken wrist.[23] In June 2021, United rejected an official bid to buy Siegrist from English League One club Ipswich Town.[24] In the following summer, Siegrist left Dundee United as a free agent.[25]

Celtic

On 21 June 2022, Siegrist signed for Celtic as a free agent on a 4-year deal.[26] On 31 August 2022, he made his official debut for the club in a 4-1 away win against Ross County in the Scottish League Cup second round.[27]

FC Rapid București

On 24 July 2024, having made two Scottish League Cup appearances for Celtic but never having played a league game, Siegrist joined Liga I club FC Rapid București. He links up with former Celtic manager Neil Lennon, signing a two-year contract with an option to extend for another year.

International career

Siegrist has been part of Switzerland squads at U17, U18, U19, and U21 level. Siegrist won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria with his nation: the goalkeeper was an integral part of the side that beat the hosts in the final and won the tournament's first Golden Glove award as a result. He was chosen as a backup goalkeeper for Switzerland's U21 squad at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, but remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament as Switzerland lost 2–0 in the final to Spain. In 2012, Siegrist was chosen as a backup goalkeeper to Diego Benaglio for Pierluigi Tami's 18-man squad to represent Switzerland at the 2012 London Olympic Games.[28]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Aston Villa2013–14Premier League00000000
2014–15Premier League00000000
2015–16Premier League00000000
Total0000000000
Burton Albion (loan)2013–14League Two0000000000
Cambridge United (loan)2013–14Conference Premier30000030
Solihull Moors (loan)2015–16[29] [30] National League North140203[31] 0190
Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2015–16League Two1000000010
Vaduz2016–17[32] [33] Swiss Super League270202[34] 0310
2017–18[35] Swiss Challenge League50100060
Total320300020370
Dundee United2018–19Scottish Championship27030206[36] 0380
2019–20Scottish Championship280203000330
2020–21Scottish Premiership3200000320
2021–22Scottish Premiership3403050420
Total121080100601450
Celtic2022–23Scottish Premiership0000200020
2023–24Scottish Premiership0000000000
Total0000200020
Rapid București2024–25Liga I100010
Career total17201301201102080

Honours

Solihull Moors

2015–16[37]

Vaduz

2016–17,[33] 2017–18[35]

Dundee United

2019–20

Celtic

2022–23[38]

Switzerland U17

Switzerland U21

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists . premierleague.com . Premier League . 2 September 2011 . 26 August 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130731092613/http://www.premierleague.com/content/dam/premierleague/site-content/News/publications/squad-lists/squad-lists-september-2011.pdf . 31 July 2013.
  2. Web site: Benjamin Siegrist: Overview . 7 September 2022 . Premier League.
  3. Web site: Men's Football. London2012.com. 30 July 2012. 5 December 2012. https://archive.today/20121205005957/http://www.london2012.com/football/event/men/. dead.
  4. Web site: FC Basel 1893 . 2008 . Zwei weitere Nachwuchstitel für den FCB . FC Basel 1893 . 2008-06-15 . de . https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040536/http://www.fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/de-de/-/20378/27/7/7# . 6 January 2014 . dead.
  5. News: Tamworth eye loan deal for Villa keeper Siegrist. BBC Sport. 13 July 2010. 31 July 2012.
  6. Web site: Veevers . Nicholas . 4 May 2010 . Captain Clifford wins Cup for Blues . https://web.archive.org/web/20100507181147/https://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAYouthCup/Match%20Centres%202009-10/Chelsea%20v%20Aston%20Villa/040510 . 7 May 2010 . TheFA.com.
  7. Web site: Clark handed No.6, Vlaar No.4 and Lowton requests No.34. AVFC.co.uk. 3 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120802234304/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2868101,00.html#. 2 August 2012. dead.
  8. Web site: Burton Albion sign Aston Villa keeper Benji Siegrist on loan. Burton Mail. 28 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131201015808/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Burton-Albion-FC/Burton-Albion-sign-Aston-Villa-keeper-Benji-Siegrist-on-loan-20131128120000.htm. 1 December 2013. dead.
  9. News: Plymouth Argyle vs. Burton Albion F.C.. BBC Sport. 30 November 2013.
  10. News: Dean Lyness looks likely to keep Burton Albion number one shirt for Plymouth Argyle trip . Sloan, Tom . Derby Telegraph . 29 November 2013 . 21 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103251/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Dean-Lyness-looks-likely-Burton-Albion-number/story-20237177-detail/story.html# . 24 December 2013 . dead.
  11. News: Cambridge United sign Aston Villa keeper Siegrist. BBC Sport. 21 March 2014.
  12. News: Salisbury 0–3 Cambridge United. BBC Sport. 27 March 2014.
  13. Web site: Aston Villa Goalkeeper joins Solihull on loan. Birmingham Mail. 8 October 2015. 8 October 2015.
  14. Web site: Late goal ends Solihull Moors FA Cup dream. Solihull Observer. 20 October 2015.
  15. Web site: Hnours even as Tamworth FC take on leaders Solihull Moors. Tamworth Herald. 20 October 2015.
  16. Web site: Trawlerboys Net Two But Moors Still Unbeaten. Solihull Moors FC. 13 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014441/http://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/matchreport.php?fixture_id=25799&season_id=7&division_id=4&team_id=365. 17 November 2015. dead.
  17. Web site: Aston Villa Loan Watch. Birmingham Mail. 18 January 2016. 18 February 2016.
  18. Web site: Villa keeper joins on loan. Official Wycombe Wanderers. 19 March 2016.
  19. Web site: Roberto Di Matteo starts rebuilding at Aston Villa with emphasis on mental side. The Guardian. 6 August 2016. 7 March 2017.
  20. Web site: Dundee United sign goalkeepers Matej Rakovan and Benjamin Siegrist . BBC Sport . 18 June 2018 . 18 June 2018.
  21. News: Woodger . Calum . Exclusive: Benjamin Siegrist jokes 'cream always rises to the top' as he joins Dundee United 100 club - and expresses happiness at Tannadice . 27 June 2021 . The Courier . 11 March 2021 . Dundee.
  22. News: Temple . Alan . Dundee United: Benjamin Siegrist and Lawrence Shankland the big winners in Tannadice awards . 27 June 2021 . The Courier . 21 May 2021 . Dundee.
  23. News: Woodger . Calum . Dundee United latest: Benjamin Siegrist ruled out for the season after scans reveal broken wrist for Swiss stopper . 27 June 2021 . The Courier . 28 April 2021 . Dundee.
  24. News: Nicolson . Eric . Dundee United knock-back Ipswich Town offer for Benjamin Siegrist . 27 June 2021 . The Courier . 21 June 2021 . Dundee.
  25. Web site: Burns . Scott . 2022-05-17 . Benjy Siegrist is heading for the United exit . 2023-01-04 . scottishdailyexpress . en.
  26. News: Sullivan . Joe . Ben Siegrist signs for Celtic in 4 year deal . 21 June 2022 . celticfc.com . 21 June 2022. Glasgow.
  27. Web site: Ross County 1-4 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side book cup quarter-final spot with sixth straight victory . 2023-01-04 . Glasgow Times . en.
  28. Web site: Switzerland 2012 Olympic Squad. About.com. 31 July 2012. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102206/http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/internationals/a/Switzerland-2012-Olympic-Squad.htm. dead.
  29. Web site: Solihull Moors 1-1 Worcester City - Match report from the highest ever crowd at The Automated Technology Group Stadium. BirminghamLive. Evans. Gregg. 10 October 2015. 17 July 2019.
  30. Web site: Singleton . Craig . 29 November 2015 . Solihull Moors 1–0 Boston United . 27 June 2024 . Boston United FC . en.
  31. Appearances in the FA Trophy
  32. Web site: FC Triesen vs. FC Vaduz 0:18. FC Vaduz. de. 11 April 2017. 17 July 2019.
  33. Web site: USV Eschen/Mauren vs. FC Vaduz 1:5. FC Vaduz. de. 24 May 2017. 17 July 2019.
  34. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  35. Web site: Cupsieg Nummer 46: 3:0 Erfolg gegen den FC Balzers. FC Vaduz. de. 2 May 2018. 17 July 2019.
  36. Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
  37. Web site: 18 May 2016 . Double celebration for Michael Nottingham at Solihull Moors’ annual awards ceremony . 2024-06-26 . Solihull Observer . en.
  38. News: Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble . Thomas . Duncan . BBC Sport . 3 June 2023 . 3 June 2023.