| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zoumana Bakayogo | ||
| Date of birth | 11 August 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Paris, France | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Tranmere Rovers | ||
| Number | 3 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004–2006 | Paris Saint-Germain | 0 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | Millwall | 16 | (0) |
| 2007 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Alfortville | 18 | (0) |
| 2009– | Tranmere Rovers | 58 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2007–2008 | Cote d'Ivoire U23 | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:43, 20 August 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Zoumana "Zoom" Bakayogo (born 11 August 1986 in Paris) is a French-born Ivorian football defender, who currently plays for English club Tranmere Rovers.
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Bakayogo started his career at French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain before moving to England in 2006. The young left-back originally joined Brighton & Hove Albion for a two week trial in the summer of 2006, but was not offered a contract due to a persistent knee injury.
Bakayogo had a successful trial at League One Millwall after impressing then-manager Nigel Spackman, and was awarded a contract with the club.
He featured in seven games under Spackman in the first half of the 2006-07 season, making his competitive debut on 22 August 2006, in a 2-1 win over Gillingham at The New Den in the League Cup First Round. Following Willie Donachie's appointment on 22 November, he was only to make three further appearances that season. In January 2007 he was sent on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion.[1] He suffered a nightmare season on the south coast where, despite staying at the Withdean for the rest of the season, he played no first team games due to an ankle injury and international call-ups.[2]
He played thirteen games of the 2007–08 campaign, eleven of these coming after Kenny Jackett's appointed in November.
Bakayogo made his final appearances for the Lions on 4 October 2008, in a 4-0 home drubbing to MK Dons, coming on as a half time substitute. He was released from the club in early 2009 and returned to France, joining UJA Alfortville.
On 1 September 2009 it was announced that Tranmere Rovers had signed Bakayogo on a free transfer until January 2010.[3] He had a successful start at Tranmere with two man-of-the-match performances.[4] Speculation was rife that Bakayogo would leave Prenton Park at the end of his short term deal with several clubs showing an interest in him. Leeds United and Southampton were clubs that had been mentioned as supposedly wanting to sign the defender, however at the end of December 2009 it was announced that the player had agreed a new deal until the end of the season.[5] He signed in time to be included in the squad for the 3rd round of the English FA Cup, playing against Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers. He played well at left back in a game Tranmere lost 1–0.[6]
Impressive performances earned him a new contract offer in May 2010 [7] He signed a new one year contract on 6 July 2010. Parry added: "I'm delighted Zoom has decided to stay at the club. He was one of our most consistent performers last season and he has a fantastic attitude in training and around the ground."[8]
In March 2011 he scored his first goal for the club in a match against Exeter City.[9] In May 2011 he signed a further two year contract which will run until 2013.[10]
Although born in the French capital Paris, Bakayogo is of Ivorian descent and is thus eligible to play for their national side. He was part of the Côte d'Ivoire under-23 Olympic side and played again African rivals Senegal on 22 August 2007 in a qualifier for the 2008 Summer Olympics.[11]
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