Sheldon Bateau

Sheldon Bateau (born 29 January 1991) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Thai League 3 club Nakhon Si United. Bateau represents the Trinidad and Tobago national team.

Bateau began his professional football career in 2009, at the age of 18, with San Juan Jabloteh in his native Trinidad and Tobago. After three seasons with the San Juan Kings, Bateau made a switch to fellow Pro League club North East Stars. However, Bateau later made a transfer after one month to K.V. Mechelen of the Belgian Pro League prior to the 2012–13 season.

Club career

Early career Bateau spent his early career in his native Trinidad and Tobago with San Juan Jabloteh of the TT Pro League. In his three seasons with the San Juan Kings, Bateau appeared in 16 matches and scored four goals. However, after the club dissolved due to financial difficulties following the 2011–12 season, Bateau switched to North East Stars. In August 2012, before playing a match for his new club, Bateau received a trial with FC Twente of the Eredivisie. Since Bateau is not a European Union player, his salary became a block for a transfer to the Eredivisie club.

KV Mechelen On 13 September 2012, Bateau signed a one-year contract with an option for two additional years with K.V. Mechelen of the Belgian Pro League. His consistent form resulted in Sheldon signing a two-year contract extension, on 18 January 2013, keeping him at Mechelen until the end of the 2014–15 season. On 27 April, Bateau scored his first two league goals during a play-off match against Waasland-Beveren that provided his club a vital 2–0 win. Bateau concluded his first season in Belgium with 22 league appearances and two goals.

Sheldon started the 2013–14 season as a regular in defence for Mechelen.

Kairat On 27 June 2017, Bateau signed for Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Kairat on loan for the remainder of Kairat's 2017 season. On 29 December 2017, Krylia Sovetov Samara announced that they had agreed to extend Bateau's loan to Kairat for an additional year.

Sarpsborg 08 On 14 February 2019, Sarpsborg 08 announced that they had signed Bateau for the 2019 season.

Samsunspor On 9 January 2022, Bateau signed a 2.5-year contract with Samsunspor in Turkey.

SK Beveren On 12 August 2022, Bateau joined Beveren on a one-year loan. He made his debut on the next day against Beerschot, coming off in the 75th minute for Derrick Tshimanga. On 21 July 2023, he moved to Beveren on a permanent basis and signed a two-year contract.

International career Bateau has been capped at under-17, under-20, under-23 Olympic team, and the Trinidad and Tobago national team.

Bateau made his debut for the Trinidad and Tobago national team on 6 February 2013 in a match against Peru playing the entire match which ended in a 0–2 loss for the Soca Warriors.

On 4 June 2014, Bateau started in a 3–0 loss during a send-off series match for Argentina at Estadio Monumental prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Four days later, Bateau made an additional start in centre defence before being replaced by Gavin Hoyte in the 72nd minute for the Soca Warriors in a 2–0 loss to Iran in Arena Corinthians.

Career statistics

Club

International Updated 25 March 2021

International goals Scores and results list Trinidad and Tobago's goal tally first.

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 9 July 2015 Soldier Field, Chicago, United States 1–0 3–1 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2. 12 July 2015 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, United States 1–0 2–0 3. 29 March 2016 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 6–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. 25 March 2021 Estadio Panamericano, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic 2–0 3–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification