Timothée Atouba (born 17 February 1982) is a Cameroonian former footballer who played as a left back. Career Early years Born in Douala, Cameroon, Atouba grew up in a family with 13 children. He started playing football in Yaoundé in a small club called Minéduc (Ministère de l'éducation national). He was soon being courted by other academies. But he remained with his club, which has since been renamed from to Ouragan FC. He advanced to their first team for the 1999 season, in the second tier. The left footed midfielder played immediately in the starting eleven and was regular goal scorer. From that moment on things went in quick succession and he transferred to Union Douala, in the Elite One. Then, Atouba received a call-up for Cameroon's national team from national coach Pierre Lechantre. He didn't have to play any youth internationals. Xamax He was spotted as a talent by scouts in friendlies and during Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Sooner or later he also became the focus of Swiss clubs. Neuchâtel Xamax was the first club interested. In summer 2000 he signed for them, and played for them in the 2001–02 Nationalliga A under head coach Alain Geiger. Atouba played his league debut for the club in the home game in the Stade de la Maladière (1924) on 19 July 2000 as Xamax won 2–0 against FC Basel. From this moment FCB also became aware of him. Basel In summer 2001, Basel's first offer was turned down, but six months later, the second offer was accepted. Atouba joined Basel's first team as a left-back during their 2001–02 season under head coach Christian Gross for the transfer fee of CHF 400,000. After playing in two test games, Atouba played his domestic league debut for his new club in the away game in the Stadio Cornaredo on 24 February 2002 as Basel won 5–2 against Lugano. He scored his first goal for his new team on 1 April in the away game in the Charmilles Stadium as Basel won 2–1 against Servette. Basel won the last game of the season, on 8 May 2002, and became champions ten points clear at the top of the table. Just four days later they played in the cup final against Grasshopper Club winning 2–1 in extra time they won the double. Basel's 2002–03 UEFA Champions League season started in the second qualifying round. After