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Birthdate:
10.02.1977
Birthplace: Kedogou Tallie, Senegal
Other clubs: Epinal (loan), Monaco, Sedan, Birmingham (loan), Portsmouth (loan), Stoke
Bought from: Sedan
Signed for LFC: £4700000 06.08.2002
International caps: 39/4 (unconfirmed)
Liverpool debut:
28.08.2002
Last appearance: 03.01.2005
Debut goal: 02.10.2002
Last goal: 26.10.2004
Contract expiry: 25.01.2007
LFC league games/goals: 37 / 1
Total LFC games/goals: 61 / 3
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Player Notes:
Salif Diao trained at Monaco's academy in Daquar, Senegal and impressed enough to be moved to Monaco's first team in 1995. He was at first loaned out to 2nd division Epinal where he stayed for a year. Diao spent three seasons at Monaco but struggled to win a place in the starting 11 as Monaco enjoyed great success. He was transferred to Sedan in season 2000-2001 and caught Houllier's attention. Diao didn't score a single league goal in 77 league games in France but is known for scoring important goals for his national team. He was one of their heroes in their successful 2002 world cup campaign.
Diao is a tough player, who possesses good tackling ability and plays with his heart on his sleeve. It was however soon clear that although Gerard Houllier had faith in Diao's ability, Rafa Benitez did not. So it was hardly a surprise when the player went on loan to Birmingham City in January, 2005. He was almost immediately injured and only played in two League matches for Birmingham. He was not given a squad-number when he returned to Anfield and was soon out on loan again, this time to Portsmouth, where further injury problems caused Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp to decide against making the deal permanent. In July, 2006 Diao had a trial with Charlton Athletic but this did not lead to an offer of permanent employment. The next club to show an interest was Stoke City and Salif joined The Potteries club on loan in October, 2006 and eventually signed a one and a half year deal with them in December, 2007, a contract where he has been able to add to the 76 Premier League appearances he made for Liverpool, Birmingham and Portsmouth.
Salif remained at Stoke until the end of the 2008-09 season, at which point he became 'out of contract'. However, despite struggling with injury for much of his 18-month spell at Stoke, the midfielder was able to negotiate another one-year contract, which will tie him to the Midlands club until the end of the 2009-10 season.
Diao only played in 16 League and 3 cup matches for Stoke during the 2009-10 season. As the season ended, so did his contract with the Midlands club from the Potteries, with the 33-year old unsure whether he still had a future in the English game ... or anywhere else for that matter. |
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