Maxime Chanot Bio
Maxime Paul Jackie Chanot (born 21 November 1989) is a former professional footballer who last played as a defender for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Born in France, he represented the Luxembourg national team. Standing 1.86 m tall, he built a reputation as an aggressive, athletic central defender across clubs in England, France, Belgium, and the United States. He announced his retirement from professional football on 27 August 2025.
Early Life and Background
Maxime Paul Jackie Chanot was born on 21 November 1989 in Nancy, France. Growing up in the Lorraine region of northeastern France, he joined local youth setup GSA Tomblaine between 1998 and 2000 before moving into the academy system at Nancy from 2000 to 2005. After his time at Nancy, he continued his youth development at Stade de Reims from 2005 to 2006, a step that helped prepare him for a move into senior football abroad.
His formative years at Reims were crucial. The club has long produced technically sound defenders, and his progression through their academy gave Chanot the foundation to test himself in English football at a young age. By the time he was ready to leave France, he had developed the physical and tactical profile of a modern central defender.
Path to Professional Soccer
Chanot moved to England in 2006 to join Sheffield United, where he became a regular in the academy and reserve sides. His performances at youth level earned him a loan move to Mansfield Town on 4 October 2008. He made his senior debut for Mansfield in a 1–0 defeat against Woking and was named man of the match despite the loss. He returned to Bramall Lane having played five games for The Stags.
After Sheffield United released him at the end of the 2008–09 season, Chanot returned to France and signed a two-year contract with Ligue 1 side Le Mans FC in November 2009. He then spent the 2010–11 season on loan at FC Gueugnon. In September 2011, he moved to Belgium and signed a one-year deal with White Star Woluwe, where his strong performances earned recognition from Sport/Foot Magazine, which named him among the twenty best second-division players in the league.
Maxime Chanot Career
Early Career (2007–2011)
Chanot’s senior career began in England with Sheffield United, where he featured for the reserves before spending time on loan at Mansfield Town. The Mansfield spell gave him his first taste of regular senior minutes and helped him adapt to the physical demands of English lower-division football. After being released, he signed with French top-flight side Le Mans, then moved on loan to Gueugnon to accumulate playing time.
Across those early years, Chanot built a profile as a hard-working central defender comfortable in duels and capable of stepping into more advanced roles when needed. The variety of leagues he experienced in England, France, and later Belgium prepared him for the next stage of his career.
Belgian Breakthrough (2011–2016)
Chanot joined White Star Woluwe in 2011 and quickly stood out in the Belgian second division. Sport/Foot Magazine named him among the twenty best players in the league, and his form attracted the attention of top-flight side Beerschot, which signed him in 2013. After impressing at Beerschot, he moved to KV Kortrijk, where he was named best defender of the Belgian championship on several occasions.
Despite interest from clubs including Queens Park Rangers and Chievo Verona, Chanot chose a different route. On 16 July 2016, it was announced that he had signed with Major League Soccer expansion side New York City FC, then coached by Patrick Vieira. The move launched the most decorated chapter of his career.
New York City FC Era (2016–2023)
Chanot made his NYCFC debut as a halftime substitute for Jefferson Mena during a 5–1 victory against the Colorado Rapids on 30 July 2016. He earned MLS Team of the Week honors the following week after his first start against the San Jose Earthquakes. He finished his debut season with eight league appearances and started both of NYCFC’s playoff games.
In 2017, Chanot scored his first MLS goal on 3 June in a 2–1 win over Philadelphia Union, then added a second against Vancouver Whitecaps after an assist from Andrea Pirlo. A herniated disk in his back, suffered on 20 July 2017, required surgery and forced him to miss the rest of the season, including NYCFC’s playoff matches. Over the following years, his central-defensive partnership with Alexander Callens was widely regarded as one of the best in MLS. At the end of the 2019 season, Chanot was named NYCFC Best Defender of the Year and received the Most Minutes Played award, while Major League Soccer ranked him the fourth best defender of the season. He was a regular starter for the 2021 MLS Cup-winning NYCFC side.
Los Angeles FC Era (2024–2025)
After a brief stint with French side Ajaccio during the 2023–24 season, Chanot returned to Major League Soccer and signed with Los Angeles FC through the 2025 season. He brought veteran leadership and championship experience to a Western Conference contender. On 27 August 2025, Chanot announced his retirement from professional football, closing a career that spanned nearly two decades.
Playing Style and Strengths
Chanot was known as an aggressive and athletic central defender who excelled in aerial duels and one-on-one defending. His partnership with Alexander Callens at New York City FC showcased his ability to read the game, organize the back line, and contribute to buildup play from the back. He combined physical presence with composure on the ball, traits that made him a reliable starter across multiple leagues.
Notable Events and Milestones
Chanot’s defining moments include helping New York City FC win the 2021 MLS Cup, scoring his first MLS goal against Philadelphia Union in 2017, and earning recognition as one of the league’s top defenders in 2019. Internationally, he scored a memorable equalizer against four-time FIFA World Cup winners Italy in a 1–1 friendly draw on 4 June 2014, and converted a penalty in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands on 13 November 2016.
Maxime Chanot Career Wins
Maxime Chanot’s career highlights include a major team trophy in Major League Soccer, individual defensive awards at New York City FC, and recognition as one of the top defenders in Belgium. His honors include selection to the MLS Team of the Week and ranking among the league’s best central defenders.
Major League Soccer Highlights
Chanot played seven MLS seasons with New York City FC and two with Los Angeles FC. His standout campaign came in 2019, when he was named NYCFC Best Defender of the Year and earned the Most Minutes Played award, while Major League Soccer ranked him the fourth best defender in the league. He was a regular starter on the 2021 NYCFC side that lifted the MLS Cup.
Other Wins and Performances
In Belgium, Chanot was named best defender of the Belgian championship several times during his spell at KV Kortrijk. He also earned a place on Sport/Foot Magazine’s list of the twenty best second-division players while at White Star Woluwe. With Luxembourg, he scored a notable equalizer against Italy and converted a penalty against the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier.
Maxime Chanot Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Maxime Paul Jackie Chanot grew up in the Nancy area of northeastern France, where he began his youth career at GSA Tomblaine before progressing through the academies at Nancy and Stade de Reims. His path through respected French youth systems laid the groundwork for a professional career that spanned nearly two decades across multiple European leagues and Major League Soccer.
Personal Life
In March 2018, Chanot earned a U.S. green card, which qualified him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. The move reflected his long-term commitment to playing and living in the United States, where he spent the majority of his prime playing years.
2025 Season Performance
Maxime Chanot’s 2025 season was his final campaign as a professional footballer. He was under contract with Los Angeles FC through the end of the year after returning to Major League Soccer from AC Ajaccio. His veteran presence continued to anchor a Western Conference roster built to compete for silverware.
On 27 August 2025, Chanot announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to a career that included the 2021 MLS Cup triumph with New York City FC, multiple individual defensive honors, and international caps with Luxembourg. His exit marked the close of an era for a defender whose consistency and leadership shaped one of the league’s most respected back lines during the late 2010s and early 2020s.