Stéphane Ruffier

Stéphane Ruffier is a French goalkeeper playing for AS Saint-Étienne. He was born in a French town named Bayonne on September 27, 1986.

Ruffier’s youth career started in 1992. Stéphane entered the football academy of a local club Bayonne where he studied for 10 years. Ruffier performed for all the youth ranks of his age until he drew attention of scouts from Monaco that were quick to entice the youngster to their academy. Ruffier continued his education there for another three years till 2005.

In 2005 he was offered a professional contract. Having accepted the terms the young goalkeeper signed for Monaco penning an extended deal that linked him with the club till 2011. However the first season was spent on loan at Bayonne where his career had its beginning. He played the whole season being an undisputed starter during the 2005/06 campaign.

On return from loan Stéphane became more and more involved in games for the starting squad. Regardless of the age and lack of experience in professional football Ruffier managed to win a firm place in the start. All in all he played 113 games during 5 years at Monaco.

In 2011 Stéphane was getting a lot of offers from many clubs in Europe including Saint-Étienne in the Ligue 1. Soon Stéphane Ruffier put his signature under a deal with the French side where he still performs as a first-choice goalkeeper.

From 2007 to 2008 Ruffier was called up to the French national U-21 team where he made 8 appearances. In 2010 Stéphane Ruffier received his only call-up to the senior internationals.