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Olivier Occean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Olivier Occean | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Olivier Occean | |
| Date of birth | October 23, 1981 | |
| Place of birth | Brossard, Canada | |
| Playing position | Centre forward | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Lillestrøm S.K. | |
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Olivier Occean (born October 23, 1981 in Brossard, Quebec) is a Canadian soccer player, who currently plays for Lillestrøm S.K. of the Norwegian Tippeligaen.
Occean played college soccer at Southern Connecticut State University in the NCAA Division II, from 2001 to 2003. While at the college, Occean was twice named an NCAA All-American. He finished his career with 57 goals, including 21 as a senior, and 22 in 2001. During this time he also played for Vermont Voltage in the USL Premier Development League.
Upon graduating from college, Occean was selected 26th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by the MetroStars. Occean surprised many by coming from an unheralded Division II program and impressing, and looked likely to make the team. However, Occean surprised even more when, while the MetroStars were playing in the preseason La Manga Cup, Occean impressed the Metrostars' competitors Odd Grenland so much that the team immediately offered him a contract. With Major League Soccer not willing to compete financially with the Norwegian club, Occean ended up with Odd.
Occean immediately impressed in Norway, earning a starting spot and immediately scoring goals. In his first season with Odd Grenland, Occean led the team in goals with 14, although the team slumped to a mid-table finish.
He signed a 5-year contract with Lillestrøm S.K. on December 10, 2005. The deal was worth approximately €885,000 plus about €126,000 in possible incentive pay. After a promising start however, his first season with the club was marred by a five month goal-drought broken only in the very last match of the season. Occean now faces the challenge of living up to the price tag and 2007 will be an important year for the muscular striker.
He used to be a regular on the Canadian national team.