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England-born goalkeeper Etienne Green saved a penalty kick on his Saint-Étienne debut as his side moved further out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone with a 2-0 victory in Nimes on Sunday.
Green, 20, escaped a late kick from Renaud Ripart after being named to the camp following injuries to Jessy Moulin and Stefan Bajic.
Goals from Wahbi Khazri and Denis Bouanga secured a second victory in three games for Les Verts to bring them seven points above Nîmes, which occupies the relegation play-off place in 18th place.
“It’s a proud moment to make my debut at Saint-Etienne, I’ve been at the club since I was nine,” Green told Canal Plus.
He was born in Colchester, in the south-east of England, but moved with his family to France as a child, and said he was named Etienne to remind his mother of home.
“Yes, it has a connection. I was born in England, my mother is French and my father is English. To remind my mother of France, they decided to call me Etienne.”
Green signed a professional contract with Saint-Etienne last year after going through the club’s academy.
“His performance did not surprise me,” said Saint-Etienne coach Claude Puel.
“I knew he was capable of a game like that. He was huge today. He was calm and intelligent. Let him enjoy.”
Green added, “It’s going to be hard to sleep but it’s wonderful.”
mw / dj
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