# Steven Defour

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Belgian footballer and manager (born 1988)

Steven Defour Defour playing for Anderlecht in 2015 Personal information Full name Steven Arnold Defour[1] Date of birth (1988-04-15) 15 April 1988 (age 38)[2] Place of birth Mechelen, Belgium Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2] Position Midfielder Youth career 1993–1997 Zennester Hombeek 1997–2004 Mechelen Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 2004–2006 Genk 30 (1) 2006–2011 Standard Liège 127 (13) 2011–2014 Porto 65 (3) 2014–2016 Anderlecht 63 (9) 2016–2019 Burnley 51 (2) 2019–2020 Antwerp 11 (0) 2020–2021 Mechelen 16 (0) Total 363 (28) International career 2003 Belgium U15 5 (1) 2003–2004 Belgium U16 11 (1) 2004–2005 Belgium U17 11 (1) 2005 Belgium U18 1 (0) 2006–2017 Belgium 52 (2) Managerial career 2021–2022 Mechelen (assistant) 2022–2023 Mechelen * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Steven Arnold Defour** (born 15 April 1988) is a Belgian former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [midfielder](/source/Midfielder), currently a [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)).

He played 247 games and scored 23 goals in the [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) for [Genk](/source/K.R.C._Genk), [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_Li%C3%A8ge), [Anderlecht](/source/R.S.C._Anderlecht), [Antwerp](/source/Royal_Antwerp_F.C.) and [Mechelen](/source/K.V._Mechelen), winning two league titles and a [national cup](/source/Belgian_Cup) with the second team. Abroad, he won the [Primeira Liga](/source/Primeira_Liga) twice at [Porto](/source/FC_Porto) and played in the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) for three years at [Burnley](/source/Burnley_F.C.).

Defour earned 52 [caps](/source/Cap_(sport)) for [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) in an 11-year international career that began in 2006, and represented the nation in the [2014 World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup).

## Club career

### Genk

Born in [Mechelen](/source/Mechelen), Defour played youth football with local [K.V. Mechelen](/source/K.V._Mechelen), moving to [K.R.C. Genk](/source/K.R.C._Genk) in 2004.[3] He made his [Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League) debut on 30 October 2004 as a 78th-minute [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) for [Paul Kpaka](/source/Paul_Kpaka) in a 1–0 home win against [Sint-Truidense V.V.](/source/Sint-Truidense_V.V.) in a [Limburg](/source/Limburg_(Belgium)) derby, and scored his first goal on 5 November the following year, also [assisting](/source/Assist_(association_football)) in the 4–1 victory over [K.S.V. Roeselare](/source/K.S.V._Roeselare) at the [Fenixstadion](/source/Cegeka_Arena).[4] At just 17, he became first choice,[5] finishing the [2005–06 campaign](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_Belgian_First_Division) with 26 games and one goal to help his team to the fifth position.

When Genk failed to qualify for [European competition](/source/UEFA), Defour tried to move to [AFC Ajax](/source/AFC_Ajax) in the summer of 2006. Enraged by earlier reports that Ajax had approached the player to broker a deal without their consent, Genk did not accept the proposed transfer fee, and after protracted negotiations, Ajax pulled out of the deal. Defour tried to force a transfer by threatening to leave, using a Belgian law that allowed professional athletes on fixed-term contracts to leave their employers before the end of the stipulated term, but Ajax did not express a renewed interest in his services, and he ended up signing for [Standard Liège](/source/Standard_Li%C3%A8ge) for a much-reduced transfer fee, effectively breaking a [gentlemen's agreement](/source/Gentlemen's_agreement) between Belgian sides not to sign under-contract players using the aforementioned law.[6][7][8]

### Standard Liège

Defour joined Standard on a five-year deal,[9] being appointed [team captain](/source/Captain_(association_football)) at the start of his [second year](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Belgian_First_Division) after taking over from Portugal's [Sérgio Conceição](/source/S%C3%A9rgio_Concei%C3%A7%C3%A3o) – he was just 19 years old.[10] He received the [Belgian Golden Shoe](/source/Belgian_Golden_Shoe) at the end of the season in the process, leading the *Reds* to their first league title in 25 years.[11]

In late 2009, shortly after scoring four goals in 31 games to help Standard [renew their domestic supremacy](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Belgian_First_Division), Defour broke his right foot. During his period of recovery he received a letter from [Alex Ferguson](/source/Alex_Ferguson), manager of [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United_F.C.), wishing him all the best in his recovery,[12] and this led to persistent rumours of a switch to the English club, but he refuted these by saying "I do know that Manchester United are monitoring me – if everything goes well and I continue playing as I am, there is a better chance of me leaving than there was at the start of the season";[13] eventually, nothing came of it.

### Porto

Defour playing for Porto in 2013

On 15 August 2011, Portuguese club [FC Porto](/source/FC_Porto) agreed to buy the sporting rights of Defour for [€](/source/Euro)6 million, and he signed a five-year contract.[14][15][16] He finished his [first year](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Primeira_Liga) with 37 official appearances and added two goals,[17][18] helping his new team to win the [Primeira Liga](/source/Primeira_Liga) championship.[19]

Defour netted Porto's second goal against [GNK Dinamo Zagreb](/source/GNK_Dinamo_Zagreb) on 18 September 2012 in [the group stage](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_UEFA_Champions_League) of the [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) (2–0 away win).[20] The following 13 March, for the same competition but in the [round of 16](/source/Single-elimination_tournament), he was [booked](/source/Penalty_card#Yellow_card) twice and subsequently [sent off](/source/Ejection_(sports)) in the 49th minute of the second leg of the tie at [Málaga CF](/source/M%C3%A1laga_CF), as the [northerners](/source/Porto) lost 2–0 at [La Rosaleda Stadium](/source/La_Rosaleda_Stadium) and 2–1 on aggregate.[21]

### Anderlecht

On 13 August 2014, Defour moved to [R.S.C. Anderlecht](/source/R.S.C._Anderlecht) on a five-year deal, for €6 million. On 25 January of the following year, when playing at Standard Liège, he was sent off for deliberately kicking the ball at home fans who had unfurled a banner depicting his severed head under the slogan "Red or Dead". His ejection caused the visiting supporters to rip out their seats and throw them onto the pitch,[22] and the banner received criticism from both the [Royal Belgian Football Association](/source/Royal_Belgian_Football_Association) and the league.[23]

### Burnley

On 16 August 2016, Defour signed for [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) club [Burnley](/source/Burnley_F.C.) on a three-year deal for a club-record transfer fee of £8 million.[24][25] He made his competitive debut four days later, starting in a 2–0 home win over [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool_F.C.) in which he helped create the second goal by [Andre Gray](/source/Andre_Gray) but was substituted early in the second half due to a lack of fitness.[26] On 10 September, also at [Turf Moor](/source/Turf_Moor), he scored his first goal for his new team to open a 1–1 draw with fellow promotee [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.), and was praised after the match by manager [Sean Dyche](/source/Sean_Dyche).[27]

Defour scored a 25-yard [direct free kick](/source/Free_kick_(association_football)) on 26 December 2017, as Burnley led 2–0 at [half-time](/source/Half-time) in an eventual draw at Manchester United.[28] During his later spell, he was constantly bothered by injury problems.[29] His contract was extended in September 2018 to last until June 2020,[30] but on 31 August 2019, he had it terminated citing personal reasons and a need to return to Belgium.[31]

In September 2022, Dyche named Defour as the most talented player he ever coached in his ten years at Burnley.[32]

### Later career

In September 2019, aged 31, Defour joined [Antwerp](/source/Royal_Antwerp_F.C.) on a one-year deal.[33][34] On 16 October 2020, he returned to [Mechelen](/source/KV_Mechelen) 13 years after leaving the [Achter de Kazerne](/source/Achter_de_Kazerne), agreeing to a performance-oriented contract.[35]

Defour announced his retirement on 11 May 2021.[36]

## International career

Defour lining up for [Belgium](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) in 2011

Defour was first called up for the [Belgian senior team](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) by manager [René Vandereycken](/source/Ren%C3%A9_Vandereycken) in May 2006, aged just 18.[37] He made his debut on 11 May in a [friendly](/source/Exhibition_game#International_football) against [Saudi Arabia](/source/Saudi_Arabia_national_football_team) in [Sittard](/source/Sittard) in the Netherlands, playing all but the last minute of a 2–1 win;[4] he scored his first goal on 6 September 2008, in a 3–2 victory over [Estonia](/source/Estonia_national_football_team) at his club ground the [Stade Maurice Dufrasne](/source/Stade_Maurice_Dufrasne) for the [2010 FIFA World Cup](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup) [qualifiers](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)).[38]

Defour scored once in three appearances in [qualification](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)) for the [2014 World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup), opening a 2–0 away defeat of [Scotland](/source/Scotland_national_football_team) on 6 September 2013.[39] He was selected for the [finals](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup) in Brazil by manager [Marc Wilmots](/source/Marc_Wilmots),[40] making his debut in [the competition](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) on 26 June in the third group stage match against [South Korea](/source/South_Korea_national_football_team) after Belgium had already won their first two outings and sealed qualification, and was sent off in the last minute of the first half of the eventual 1–0 win after a rash tackle on [Kim Shin-wook](/source/Kim_Shin-wook).[41]

Defour missed [UEFA Euro 2016](/source/UEFA_Euro_2016) due to injury and the [2018 World Cup](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup), having been sidelined since that January.[42] On 25 May that year, the 30-year-old announced his retirement from international football.[43]

## Coaching career

On 17 October 2022, Defour returned to Mechelen as head coach; previously an assistant, he replaced the dismissed [Danny Buijs](/source/Danny_Buijs).[44] In his first game two days later, he won 2–0 at home to Standard;[45] he reached [the final](/source/2023_Belgian_Cup_final) of the [Belgian Cup](/source/Belgian_Cup) in his [first season](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Belgian_Pro_League), losing 2–0 to [Mark van Bommel](/source/Mark_van_Bommel)'s Antwerp.[46]

On 2 November 2023, after having been ousted by lowly [Royal Knokke F.C.](/source/Royal_Knokke_F.C.) in the [round of 32 of the domestic cup](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Belgian_Cup) and with the team inside the relegation zone in the league, Defour was shown the door.[47]

## Career statistics

### Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[48] Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Genk 2004–05 Belgian First Division 4 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 4 0 2005–06 Belgian First Division 26 1 2 0 — 1[a] 0 — 29 1 Total 30 1 2 0 — 1 0 — 33 1 Standard Liège 2006–07 Belgian First Division 29 4 7 1 — 4[b] 0 — 40 5 2007–08 Belgian First Division 24 1 3 1 — 3[a] 0 — 30 2 2008–09 Belgian Pro League 33 4 1 0 — 10[c] 0 1[d] 0 45 4 2009–10 Belgian Pro League 13 1 0 0 — 3[e] 0 1[d] 0 17 1 2010–11 Belgian Pro League 27 3 5 0 — — — 32 3 2011–12 Belgian Pro League 1 0 — — — 0 0 1 0 Total 127 13 16 2 — 20 0 2 0 165 15 Porto 2011–12 Primeira Liga 24 1 2 1 3 0 8[f] 0 0 0 37 2 2012–13 Primeira Liga 25 2 2 0 5 1 7[g] 1 1[h] 0 40 4 2013–14 Primeira Liga 16 0 6 1 4 0 9[i] 0 1[h] 0 36 1 Total 65 3 10 2 12 1 24 1 2 0 113 7 Anderlecht 2014–15 Belgian Pro League 29 6 4 1 — 6[j] 0 — 39 7 2015–16 Belgian Pro League 32 2 1 1 — 9[e] 0 — 42 3 2016–17 Belgian First Division A 2 1 — — 2[g] 0 — 4 1 Total 63 9 5 2 — 17 0 — 85 11 Burnley 2016–17 Premier League 21 1 3 1 0 0 — — 24 2 2017–18 Premier League 24 1 0 0 1 0 — — 25 1 2018–19 Premier League 6 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 — 9 0 Total 51 2 5 1 2 0 0 0 — 58 3 Royal Antwerp 2019–20 Belgian First Division A 11 0 1 0 — — — 12 0 Mechelen 2020–21 Belgian First Division A 16 0 3 0 — — — 19 0 Career total 363 28 42 7 14 1 62 1 4 0 485 37

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UC_49-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UC_49-1) Appearances in [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SL_50-0)** Two appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), two in [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SL2_51-0)** Two appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), eight in [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BSC_52-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BSC_52-1) Appearance in [Belgian Super Cup](/source/Belgian_Super_Cup)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UEL_53-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UEL_53-1) Appearances in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-POR_54-0)** Six appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), two in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UCL_55-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UCL_55-1) Appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-PSC_56-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-PSC_56-1) Appearance in [Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira](/source/Superta%C3%A7a_C%C3%A2ndido_de_Oliveira)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-POR2_57-0)** Five appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), four in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AND_58-0)** Four appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), two in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

### International

Defour (left) with [Belgian](/source/Belgium_national_football_team) teammates [Kevin Mirallas](/source/Kevin_Mirallas) (middle) and [Marouane Fellaini](/source/Marouane_Fellaini) before a [friendly](/source/Exhibition_match) against the [United States](/source/United_States_national_men's_soccer_team) on 29 May 2013

Appearances and goals by national team and year[49] National team Year Apps Goals Belgium 2006 3 0 2007 9 0 2008 6 1 2009 5 0 2010 4 0 2011 5 0 2012 5 0 2013 5 1 2014 6 0 2016 3 0 2017 1 0 Total 52 2

- *Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Defour goal.*[49]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition 1 6 September 2008 Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium 15 Estonia 2–1 3–2 2010 World Cup qualification 2 6 September 2013 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 39 Scotland 1–0 2–0 2014 World Cup qualification

## Managerial statistics

- *As of match played 31 October 2023*[50]

Managerial record by team and tenure Team Nat From To Record G W D L GF GA GD Win % Mechelen 17 October 2022 2 November 2023 41 15 9 17 50 62 −12 036.59 Career totals 41 15 9 17 50 62 −12 036.59

## Honours

**Standard Liège**

- [Belgian Pro League](/source/Belgian_Pro_League): [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Belgian_First_Division), [2008–09](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Belgian_First_Division)[50]

- [Belgian Cup](/source/Belgian_Cup): [2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Belgian_Cup)[50]

- [Belgian Supercup](/source/Belgian_Supercup): [2008](/source/2008_Belgian_Super_Cup), [2009](/source/2009_Belgian_Super_Cup)[50]

**Porto**

- [Primeira Liga](/source/Primeira_Liga): [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Primeira_Liga), [2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Primeira_Liga)[50]

- [Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira](/source/Superta%C3%A7a_C%C3%A2ndido_de_Oliveira): [2012](/source/2012_Superta%C3%A7a_C%C3%A2ndido_de_Oliveira), [2013](/source/2013_Superta%C3%A7a_C%C3%A2ndido_de_Oliveira)[50]

**Individual**

- [Belgian Golden Shoe](/source/Belgian_Golden_Shoe): 2007[11]

- [Belgian First Division Man of the Season](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_van_het_Seizoen): 2007–08[51]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["2017/18 Premier League clubs publish retained lists"](https://www.premierleague.com/news/698775). [Premier League](/source/Premier_League). 8 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-11v11_2-1) ["Steven Defour"](http://www.11v11.com/players/steven-defour-224995/). 11v11. Retrieved 16 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Steven Defour a participé à un amical avec Malines"](https://www.rtbf.be/article/steven-defour-a-participe-a-un-amical-avec-malines-10605161) [Steven Defour participated in a friendly with Mechelen] (in French). [RTBF](/source/RTBF). 9 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RTBF_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RTBF_4-1) Libois, Erik (11 May 2021). ["Le petit Steven Defour illustré, en 15 dates-clé"](https://www.rtbf.be/article/le-petit-steven-defour-illustre-en-15-dates-cle-10739771) [Little Steven Defour illustrated, in 15 key dates] (in French). RTBF. Retrieved 10 March 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Scholten, Berend (23 December 2006). ["Defour raises Belgian Standard"](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01bc-0f848ff5f02d-56af66c8ea40-1000--defour-raises-belgian-standard/). UEFA. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Defour 'slachtoffer' van 33 jaar oude vete"](http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/gi8rr5fv) [Defour 'victim' of 33-year-old feud]. *[Het Nieuwsblad](/source/Het_Nieuwsblad)* (in Dutch). 5 May 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Transfer Defour naar Ajax van de baan"](http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/transfer-defour-naar-ajax-van-de-baan.htm) [Defour's transfer to Ajax not happening] (in Dutch). [Voetbal International](/source/Voetbal_International). 7 June 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Steven Defour verbreekt contract bij Genk"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140110003804/http://www.hbvl.be/Archief/guid/steven-defour-verbreekt-contract-bij-genk.aspx?artikel=cc86655b-7696-4656-8654-9124b6ad9238) [Steven Defour breaks contract with Genk]. *[Het Belang van Limburg](/source/Het_Belang_van_Limburg)* (in Dutch). 16 June 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.hbvl.be/Archief/guid/steven-defour-verbreekt-contract-bij-genk.aspx?artikel=cc86655b-7696-4656-8654-9124b6ad9238) on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Standard neemt Steven Defour over"](http://www.voetbalbelgie.be/nl/article.php?id=4766) [Standard sign Steven Defour] (in Dutch). Voetbal België. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Conceição praat met Standard"](https://www.standaard.be/cnt/9h1m5p6f) [Conceição in talks with Standard]. *[De Standaard](/source/De_Standaard)* (in Dutch). 4 January 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RSSSF_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RSSSF_11-1) Toma, Razvan. ["Belgium – Player of the Year Awards"](https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/belgpoy.html). [RSSSF](/source/RSSSF). Retrieved 26 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Defour ready to make next step"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101029173123/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=836270&sec=transfers&cc=4716). [ESPN Soccernet](/source/ESPN_FC). 26 October 2010. Archived from [the original](http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=836270&sec=transfers&cc=4716) on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Shaw, Alex (26 October 2010). ["Defour ready to make Manchester United move"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101029202027/http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/2079/5/defour-ready-make-manchester-united-move). [Talksport](/source/Talksport). Archived from [the original](http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/2079/5/defour-ready-make-manchester-united-move) on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Comunicado"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111224082944/http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/ir_compradefour_15082011.pdf) [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 15 August 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/ir_compradefour_15082011.pdf) (PDF) on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Comunicado"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111215231444/http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/CompraDefour16082011.pdf) [Announcement] (PDF) (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 16 August 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.fcporto.pt/IncFCP/PDF/Investor_Relations/FactosRelevantes/CompraDefour16082011.pdf) (PDF) on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Van Walle, Wim (16 August 2011). ["FC Porto deal for Defour"](http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/944429/fc-porto-deal-for-standard-liege%27s-steven-defour?cc=5739). ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 30 August 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["No meio da tempestade, veio a bonança (5–0)"](https://www.dn.pt/desporto/fc-porto/interior/no-meio-da-tempestade-veio-a-bonanca-5-0-2076911.html) [Amid the storm, came the calm (5–0)]. *[Diário de Notícias](/source/Di%C3%A1rio_de_Not%C3%ADcias)* (in Portuguese). 23 October 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Dragão em branco na festa de apresentação"](https://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/primeira-liga/artigos/dragao-em-branco-na-festa-de-apresentacao) [Dragon drew a blank in presentation party] (in Portuguese). [SAPO](/source/SAPO_(company)). 4 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Crossan, David (18 September 2012). ["Porto extend Dinamo losing streak"](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d7ed1f434dc-bc83e3ea97e0-1000--porto-extend-dinamo-losing-streak/). UEFA. Retrieved 7 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Hunter, Graham (13 March 2013). ["Santa Cruz sends Málaga into last eight"](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0207-0e9efe194916-376483800444-1000--santa-cruz-sends-malaga-into-last-eight/). UEFA. Retrieved 7 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Anderlecht's Steven Defour sees red over Standard Liège fans' banner"](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/25/anderlecht-steven-defour-standard-liege-banner). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Standard Liege: Steven Defour sent off after fans' horror banner"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30975769). [BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport). 25 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Lustig, Nick (16 August 2016). ["Burnley sign Steven Defour from Anderlecht for club-record fee"](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11708/10538645/burnley-sign-steven-defour-from-anderlecht-for-club-record-fee). [Sky Sports](/source/Sky_Sports). Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Steven Defour: Burnley sign Belgium midfielder from Anderlecht"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37064070). BBC Sport. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Smith, Jamie (20 August 2016). ["Keane, Defour and Gray stand out as Burnley stun Liverpool"](http://www.espnfc.com/club/burnley/379/blog/post/2934285/michael-keane-steven-defour-and-andre-gray-stand-out-as-burnley-stun-liverpool). ESPN FC. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Defour is cheap as chips – Dyche"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37330153). BBC Sport. 10 September 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Marshall, Tyrone (26 December 2017). ["Manchester United 2 Burnley 2: Match verdict"](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15793170.manchester-united-2-burnley-2-match-verdict/). *[Lancashire Telegraph](/source/Lancashire_Telegraph)*. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Copeland, Robbie (8 March 2019). ["Steven Defour 'unlikely' to return this season after undergoing operation on persistent calf issue"](https://www.90min.com/posts/6314576-steven-defour-unlikely-to-return-this-season-after-undergoing-operation-on-persistent-calf-issue). 90 Minut. Retrieved 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Marshall, Tyrone (14 September 2019). ["Burnley extend Steven Defour's contract until 2020 as midfielder nears return"](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16861536.burnley-extend-steven-defours-contract-2020-midfielder-nears-return/). *Lancashire Telegraph*. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Steven Defour: Burnley midfielder's contract cancelled 'for personal reasons'"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49540015). BBC Sport. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Varewyck, Sam (23 September 2022). ["Steven Defour krijgt mooi compliment van Burnley-legende: "Meest getalenteerde speler die ik gecoacht heb""](https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220923_97273572) [Steven Defour earns praise from Burnley legend: "Most talented player I ever coached"]. *Het Nieuwsblad* (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Antwerp pakt uit met kwartet: Defour, Hoedt, Gano en Benson trekken naar de Bosuil"](https://sporza.be/nl/2019/09/02/pc-antwerp-transfers/) [Antwerp unveil four: Defour, Hoedt, Gano and Benson go to Bosuil] (in Dutch). [Sporza](/source/Sporza). 2 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Steven Defour: Ex-Burnley midfielder joins Royal Antwerp"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49569902). BBC Sport. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Brisart, Axel (16 October 2020). ["Steven Defour voorgesteld bij KV Mechelen: "Emotioneel de belangrijkste transfer uit mijn carrière""](https://www.hln.be/kv-mechelen/steven-defour-voorgesteld-bij-kv-mechelen-emotioneel-de-belangrijkste-transfer-uit-mijn-carriere~aa46bd91/) [Steven Defour presented at KV Mechelen: "Emotionally the most important transfer of my career"]. *[Het Laatste Nieuws](/source/Het_Laatste_Nieuws)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Afscheid in mineur: Defour stopt er nu al mee door blessure aan quadriceps"](https://www.hln.be/belgisch-voetbal/afscheid-in-mineur-defour-stopt-er-nu-al-mee-door-blessure-aan-quadriceps~a96e91cf/) [Dramatic goodbye: Defour retires after quadriceps injury]. *Het Laatste Nieuws* (in Dutch). 11 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["René Vandereycken roept negen debutanten op"](http://www.hbvl.be/Archief/guid/rene-vandereycken-roept-negen-debutanten-op.aspx?artikel=2c4deaaf-1b7e-46ef-8b9a-b491631db866) [René Vandereycken calls up nine first-timers]. *Het Belang van Limburg* (in Dutch). 6 May 2006. Retrieved 9 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Defour a déjà marqué contre l'Estonie: "Ah bon? J'avais oublié""](http://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/diablesrouges/detail_defour-a-deja-marque-contre-l-estonie-ah-bon-j-avais-oublie?id=9453361) [Defour already scored against Estonia: "Ah good? I had forgotten"] (in French). RTBF. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Lamont, Alasdair (6 September 2013). ["Scotland 0–2 Belgium"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/23962691). BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Belgium World Cup 2014 squad"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/belgium/10810493/Belgium-World-Cup-2014-squad.html). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)*. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Koreans crash to ten-man Belgium"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200324022246/https://www.fifa.com/news/koreans-crash-to-10-man-belgium-2386303). FIFA. 26 June 2014. Archived from [the original](https://www.fifa.com/news/koreans-crash-to-10-man-belgium-2386303) on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Steven Defour (Burnley) prend sa retraite internationale"](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Steven-defour-burnley-prend-sa-retraite-internationale/904310) [Steven Defour (Burnley) retires from internationals]. *[L'Équipe](/source/L'%C3%89quipe)* (in French). 24 May 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** Marshall, Tyrone (25 May 2018). ["Steven Defour to focus on Burnley after international retirement"](http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16248986.Defour_to_focus_on_Clarets_after_international_retirement/). *Lancashire Telegraph*. Retrieved 25 May 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Langendries, Romain (17 October 2022). ["Steven Defour devient l'entraîneur du KV Malines suite au licenciement de Danny Buijs"](https://www.rtbf.be/article/steven-defour-devient-lentraineur-du-kv-malines-suite-au-licenciement-de-danny-buijs-11087375) [Steven Defour becomes KV Mechelen manager following dismissal of Danny Buijs] (in French). RTBF. Retrieved 21 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** Jordens, Jérôme (19 October 2022). ["Pro League: Malines dompte le Standard et offre une première victoire à Defour"](https://www.rtbf.be/article/pro-league-malines-dompte-le-standard-et-offre-une-premiere-victoire-a-defour-11088094) [Pro League: Mechelen tame Standard and offer a first victory to Defour] (in French). RTBF. Retrieved 21 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** Jongmans, Robin (30 April 2023). ["Prijs voor Van Bommel in België: trainer wint beker met Nederlands getint Antwerp"](https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1049498348/prijs-voor-van-bommel-in-belgie-trainer-wint-beker-met-nederlands-getint-antwerp) [Prize for Van Bommel in Belgium: manager wins cup with Dutch-tinted Antwerp]. *[De Telegraaf](/source/De_Telegraaf)* (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["OFFICIEL Defour ne fera pas son retour à Sclessin"](https://www.footnews.be/news/394353/officiel-defour-ne-fera-pas-son-retour-a-sclessin) [OFFICIAL Defour will not be returning to Sclessin] (in French). Foot News. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** [Steven Defour](https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/steven-defour/) at WorldFootball.net

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EU_59-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EU_59-1) [Steven Defour](https://web.archive.org/web/20200701/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=25581) at EU-Football.info (archived)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SW_60-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SW_60-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SW_60-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SW_60-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-SW_60-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-SW_60-5) [Steven Defour coach profile](https://web.archive.org/web/2/https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/steven-defour/13523/#bd) at Soccerway (archived)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** ["Homme de la saison belge"](https://www.football-the-story.com/homme-de-la-saison-belge) [Belgian man of the season] (in French). Football The Story. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Steven Defour](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Steven_Defour).

- [Steven Defour](https://web.archive.org/web/20210101000000/https://www.foradejogo.net/player.php?player=198804150003&language=2) at ForaDeJogo (archived)

- [Steven Defour](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44789) at Soccerbase

- [Steven Defour](https://static.rbfa.be/project/publiek/jrinteren/speler_PH_5167.htm) at the [Royal Belgian Football Association](/source/Royal_Belgian_Football_Association)

- [Steven Defour](https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/14361.html) at National-Football-Teams.com

- [Steven Defour](https://web.archive.org/web/20150905/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=290824/index.html) – [FIFA](/source/FIFA) competition record (archived)

v t e Belgium squad – 2014 FIFA World Cup 1 Courtois 2 Alderweireld 3 Vermaelen 4 Kompany (c) 5 Vertonghen 6 Witsel 7 De Bruyne 8 Fellaini 9 Lukaku 10 Hazard 11 Mirallas 12 Mignolet 13 Bossut 14 Mertens 15 Van Buyten 16 Defour 17 Origi 18 Lombaerts 19 Dembélé 20 Januzaj 21 Vanden Borre 22 Chadli 23 Ciman Coach: Wilmots

v t e Belgian Golden Shoe Men 1954: Coppens 1955: Van Brandt 1956: Mees 1957: Jurion 1958: Storme 1959: Olieslagers 1960: Van Himst 1961: Van Himst 1962: Jurion 1963: Nicolay 1964: Puis 1965: Van Himst 1966: Van Moer 1967: Boone 1968: Polleunis 1969: Van Moer 1970: Van Moer 1971: Vandendaele 1972: Piot 1973: Martens 1974: Van Himst 1975: Boskamp 1976: Rensenbrink 1977: Cools 1978: Pfaff 1979: Janssens 1980: Ceulemans 1981: Vandenbergh 1982: Gerets 1983: Vercauteren 1984: Scifo 1985: Ceulemans 1986: Ceulemans 1987: Preud'homme 1988: Clijsters 1989: Preud'homme 1990: Van der Elst 1991: Degryse 1992: Albert 1993: Zetterberg 1994: De Bilde 1995: Okon 1996: Van der Elst 1997: Zetterberg 1998: Strupar 1999: Staelens 2000: Koller 2001: Sonck 2002: Simons 2003: Aruna 2004: Kompany 2005: Conceição 2006: Boussoufa 2007: Defour 2008: Witsel 2009: Jovanović 2010: Boussoufa 2011: Suárez 2012: Mbokani 2013: Hazard 2014: Praet 2015: Kums 2016: Izquierdo 2017: Vormer 2018: Vanaken 2019: Vanaken 2020: Refaelov 2021: Onuachu 2022: Mignolet 2023: Alderweireld 2024: Vanaken 2025: Jashari Women 2016: Wullaert 2017: Cayman 2018: Wullaert 2019: Wullaert 2020: De Caigny 2021: Cayman 2022: Evrard 2023: Wullaert 2024: Wullaert 2025: Wullaert

v t e KV Mechelen – managers Dessain (1911–25) Maxwell (1925–40) Rits (1940–43) Noëth (1943–47) Bourgeois (1947–52) Bourgeois & Noëth (1952–53) Noëth (1953–54) Bourgeois (1954–55) De Cleyn (1955–57) Bertuelens (1957–59) Stijnen (1959–61) De Rijcke (1961–62) Gaspar (1962–65) Dolgos (1965–67) Teughels (1967–69) Spurgeon (1969–70) Van den Bergh (1970–75) Bollen (1975–77) Talbut (1977–78) Teughels (1979) Bulatović (1979–81) Van Damme (1981–82) Kuterna (1982) Canjels (1982–84) Kunnecke (1985–86) De Mos (1986–89) Krol (1989) Van Hoof (1990–91) Leekens (1991–92) Van Hoof (1992–94) Meeuws (1994–96) Reynders (1996) Kanački (1996) Heylens (1996–97) Vercauteren (1997–98) Verkempinck (1998) Jacob & Billen (1998–99) Jacob (1999–2000) Clijsters (2000–01) Billen (2001) Hulshoff (2001–02) Van Hoof (2002) Demol (2002–03) Czerniatynski (2003–04) Vande Velde (2004–05) Kanački (2005) Wetzel (2005–06) Kanački (2006) Maes (2006–10) Brys (2010–12) Van Veldhoven (2012–13) Vercauteren (2014) Janković (2014–16) Ferrera (2016–17) Caluwé (a.i.) (2017) Janković (2017–18) Van Wijk (2018) Vrancken (2018–22) Buijs (2022) Defour (2022–23) Vanderbiest (a.i.) (2023) Hasi (2023–25) Vanderbiest (2025–)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Steven Defour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Defour) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Defour?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.