# Nicolas Benezet

Nicolas Benezet (born 24 February 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Olympique Alès.

## Club career
### France

Born in Montpellier, Benezet played in the youth academy of Montpellier before signing with Nîmes in 2004. He made his professional debut in the 2010–11 season on 15 October 2010 in a league match against Istres appearing as a substitute in a 0–0 draw. On 8 December 2010, he signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a three-year deal with Nîmes. Two days later, he rewarded Nîmes by scoring his first professional goal in a 3–2 victory over Istres in the Coupe de France. On 21 December, he scored his first professional league goal in a 2–0 win against Metz.
At the end of the 2012–13 season, top-flight clubs Sochaux and Évian showed interest in signing him and in July 2013, Benezet joined Evian.
On 3 July 2015, Benezet signed for Guingamp.

### Major League Soccer

In July 2019, following Guingamp's relegation from Ligue 1, Benezet joined Major League Soccer club Toronto FC on loan for the remainder of their season, with the club holding an option to make the transfer permanent at the conclusion of the loan, which would be triggered automatically if he started six regular season matches (he ultimately started five). Toronto chose not to acquire him permanently after the loan due to a lack of salary cap space after the re-signing of Michael Bradley.
In January, Benezet returned to MLS, signing with Colorado Rapids, who paid a $500,000 transfer fee to Guingamp for him, after acquiring his MLS rights from Toronto in a trade. He made his Rapids debut on 12 July against Real Salt Lake at the MLS is Back Tournament. he earned his first assist in Burgundy on Kellyn Acosta's opening goal against Sporting Kansas City on 17 July. Benezet finished the season with three assists among 13 appearances, including Colorado's first-round playoff loss at Minnesota United FC.
On 5 August 2021, Benezet was traded to Seattle Sounders FC for $50,000 in general allocation money. He was signed through the end of the 2021 season, with an option for the 2022 season, primarily to provide depth for the team. Benezet made his Sounders debut on 15 August in a 6–2 victory against the Portland Timbers, entering the match as a substitute and scoring in stoppage time. Following the 2021 season, Seattle declined their contract option on Benezet.

### Return to France and spell in Cyprus

In June 2022, Benezet returned to Nîmes and signed a one-year contract with the option to extend for three more seasons.
In August 2023, Benezet signed for Régional 1 club Le Grau-du-Roi in order to train with the team while waiting for an offer from a professional club. In late September, he signed a contract with Cypriot club Karmiotissa until the end of the season. However, he terminated his contract with the club in early November, returning to Le Grau-du-Roi until the end of the season.
On 30 August 2024, Benezet joined Championnat National 3 side Olympique Alès.

## Personal life

Benezet is a noted fan of anime and manga, particularly Dragon Ball Z and One Piece.
Benezet became a father in late 2023. At that time, his wife's family resided in Le Grau-du-Roi.

## Career statistics

    As of 5 August 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Playoffs | Playoffs | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Nîmes | 2010–11 | Ligue 2 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 26 | 3 |
| Nîmes | 2011–12 | Championnat National | 34 | 7 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 7 |
| Nîmes | 2012–13 | Ligue 2 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 9 |
| Nîmes | Total | Total | 90 | 18 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 96 | 19 |
| Évian | 2013–14 | Ligue 1 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 3 |
| Évian | 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 7 |
| Évian | Total | Total | 40 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 3 |
| Caen (loan) | 2014–15 | Ligue 1 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 4 |
| Guingamp | 2015–16 | Ligue 1 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 21 | 4 |
| Guingamp | 2016–17 | Ligue 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 7 | 2 |
| Guingamp | 2017–18 | Ligue 1 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 30 | 3 |
| Guingamp | 2018–19 | Ligue 1 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 3 |
| Guingamp | Total | Total | 78 | 11 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 86 | 13 |
| Toronto FC (loan) | 2019 | Major League Soccer | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 3 |
| Colorado Rapids | 2020 | Major League Soccer | 12 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Colorado Rapids | 2021 | Major League Soccer | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 0 |
| Colorado Rapids | Total | Total | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 163 | 25 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 185 | 28 |
* ↑ Includes Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophée des Champions, Canadian Championship
* ↑ Includes MLS Cup Playoffs

## Honours

Guingamp
* Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2018–19