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Fullname: Joos Valgaeren
Height: 6.01
Weight: 12.03
Born: 03 Mar 1976
Birthplace: Leuven, Belgium
Signed: July 2000
Position: Defender
Internationals: Belgian
International Caps: 19
International Goals: 0

Biog

Belgian defender Joos Valgaeren was born in Leuven in March 3, 1976. He began his football career with Belgian club KV Mechelen, and was relatively unknown until National coach Robert Waseige plucked him from the Dutch League, where he was playing for Roda JC. He went on to play 19 times for the Belgian national side.

A strong performance in Euro 2000 saw him linked with a number of English clubs, including Leeds and Sunderland (who were rumoured to be prepared to offer £7m to secure the player) before he was signed on a five year contract by Martin O’Neill for Celtic in July 2000 at a cost of £3.8m. As such he was, along with Chris Sutton (who was signed earlier in July of the same year), one of Martin O’Neill’s first Celtic signings.

Valgaeren was a key player for the first couple of seasons of his Celtic career, but seemed to lose his form in season 02/03, one of the lowlights of which was his poor clearance in the UEFA Cup final in Seville which led to Porto’s opening goal (he eventually went off injured). His fourth season at Celtic was hampered by injuries and he never really recaptured his form thereafter. He was allowed to leave the club when his contract expired in 2005 and signed for Club Brugge KV. In July 2008 he moved to FC Emmen after an injury riven time at Club Brugge.

Valgaeren was one of the players at the centre of the “Thugs and Thieves” Daily Record headline in 2002 after being arrested outside Buffalo Joes during a team Christmas night out in Newcastle (along with Johan Mjallby and Bobby Petta).

He also inspired the terracing chant (to the tune of "Who let the Dogs Out") Who Kept the Huns Out? Joos, Joos, Joos Joos Joos. Who says the Belgians are boring! (Another Celtic chant based from a Liverpool tune!)

Playing Career

Celtic Appearances

• 2000/2001 - 49 Games (4 goals)
• 2001/2002 - 32 Games (3 goals)
• 2002/2003 - 53 Games (3 goals)
• 2003/2004 - 10 (6) Games (0 goals)
• 2004/2005 - 25 (3) Games (0 goals)

Honours with Celtic

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