Vincent Pericard Bio Send To Friend  

Cameroon-born striker Pericard began his career with French side St Etienne and was signed up by Juventus in July 2001 as a promising youngster.

He first came to prominence in the UK after playing for Juve against Arsenal in the Champions League and he was snapped up by Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, initially on loan, in July 2003.

However, the striker was plagued with injury and consequently struggled to fulfil the promise he showed as a youngster. Pompey eventually loaned him out to Championship sides Sheffield United and Plymouth before he settled at Stoke City, after a successful loan deal, in June 2006.

Although he began his Pompey career well, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, the French national struggled with injury and for form in the latter half of the campaign.

But Redknapp remained confident of the young striker's ability and signed him for an undisclosed fee just before the start of the 2003/04 season. Pericard scored nine goals in 32 games as Pompey clinched the First Division title.

After an injury-plagued spell Pompey loaned him to Sheffield United in September 2005 to help build up his fitness. He made his debut in a 2-1 home victory over Derby County and scored twice in a total of 11 appearances.

He returned to Fratton Park with Redknapp back in the hot seat. But after a handful of appearances was loaned to Plymouth for the remainder of 2005/06 in February.

Stoke manager handed the powerful striker a lifeline when he made him his first signing upon returning as Stoke manager but Pericard suffered a poor first season and then events off the pitch took over.

On 24 August 2007 Pericard was sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice in conjunction with a speeding offence. He was released from prison in September but was rearrested in October.

In March 2008, Southampton confirmed the loan signing of Pericard until the end of the season where he played four games.

After featuring just a handful of times for Stoke in the Premier League he was loaned to Millwall in February 2009 but injured his Achiles on his second appearance which ruled him out for the season.