Florian Thauvin's Career Almost Ended At The Age Of 15

Newcastle United's new £12 million man Florian Thauvin almost had his career ended before it really began. The former Marseille man suffered a stress fracture to his back at the age of 15 and doctors didn't think the winger would play ever again. How the accident happened is very much unknown, but we know it occurred just after the now 22-year-old joined then Ligue 1 and current CFA side U.S Orleans. Speaking to NUFCTV, the former France U21 international told of how it took a frustratingly prolonged period on the sidelines to get him back to full health, he said: "It was the base of my back. I had a stress fracture and for six months I couldn't go out and play. "We weren't sure whether or not I'd be able to get back and play football. Fortunately I did, and that was the end of that." Thankfully for the sake of his career, the injury has never come back to haunt him. In fact, he's gone on to become an ever-present wherever he's played his football. Florian has played 117 games since making his professional debut in 2010, with his least productive campaign coming in 2011/12 when he could only muster 13 Ligue 1 appearances for Bastia due to a knee injury. That troublesome knee is another injury that is long in the winger's past as he made no less than 79 appearances for Marseille over the last two seasons. United's new signing has a lot of bouncebackability in his relatively small frame which is crucial for any winger susceptible to any harsh treatment from a Barclays Premier League full back. CLICK HERE to read €œ10 Things Newcastle Fans Need To Know About Florian Thauvin€.For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.