Johan Cavalli

Johan Étienne Anthony Cavalli (born 12 September 1981) is a French former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Johan Cavalli

Cavalli in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Johan Étienne Anthony Cavalli[1]
Date of birth	(1981-09-12) 12 September 1981 (age 43)[2]
Place of birth	Ajaccio, Corsica, France[2]
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1997–2001	Nantes
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2003	Lorient	22	(0)
2003–2004	Créteil	44	(11)
2004–2005	Real Mallorca B	15	(0)
2005–2007	Istres	51	(2)
2007	Watford	3	(0)
2007–2008	Mons	8	(0)
2008–2010	Nîmes Olympique	51	(1)
2010–2020	Ajaccio	271	(28)
Total		465	(42)
International career
2009–2019	Corsica	10	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Early career

Whilst at Lorient Cavalli played as a substitute in the 2002 Coupe de France Final in which they beat SC Bastia.^[3]

Watford

Cavalli joined Watford on deadline day of the 2007 January transfer window, on a free transfer from French side Istres, signing an 18-month contract.^[4] He made his debut in the 1–0 win against West Ham United on 10 February 2007.^[5] He had his contract with "Hornets" cancelled by mutual consent on 20 August 2007.^[6]

Mons

On 18 October 2007, it was announced that Cavalli had signed a two-year contract with Belgian club Mons.^[7] In May 2008, he left the club my mutual consent.^[8]

Ajaccio

Cavalli joined his hometown club AC Ajaccio in November 2010 on a contract running until 2013.^[9]

He started on the opening day of the 2011–12 Ligue 1 season, playing 77 minutes in a 2–0 loss to Toulouse.^[10] He was also in the starting eleven for Ajaccio's trip to the Stade Gerland the following weekend and played 78 minutes in a 1–1 draw with hosts Lyon.^[11] In Ajaccio 1–1 draw against fellow Ligue 1 newcomers Evian on 20 August 2011 he set up midfield partner Frédéric Sammaritano for the 7th-minute 1–0 lead following a "great combination" between him and Benjamin André.^[12]

Following a five-match suspension, Cavalli returned on 10 April 2015 to face Dijon. He scored via penalty as Ajaccio beat Dijon 1–0 at the Stade François Coty.^[13]

At the end of the 2019–20 season, after ten years with Ajaccio, Cavalli retired from playing.^[14][15]

International career

Cavalli was capped for the Corsica national football team, which is not a FIFA member, as it does not represent a fully sovereign nation. On 31 May 2011, he scored the only goal to help his team to a prestigious 1–0 win over Bulgaria in a friendly match.^[16]

Personal life

Cavalli's father Jean-Michel is also a former footballer and coached him during his time at Créteil.^[17]