Djibril Cissé (born 12 August 1981 in Arles, France) is a French
international football player who plays as a striker for both
France and Liverpool. He plays as a striker and is noted
particularly for his speed, acceleration and his dyed hair.
He signed for the French club Auxerre at the age of 15, and made
his international debut against Belgium in May 2002. He won the
French Cup with Auxerre in May 2003, and the Confederations Cup
with France a month later.
Cissé was also the top scorer in the French Ligue 1 in the
2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons, before becoming Liverpool's record
signing for more than £14.5 million in July 2004. Liverpool had
pursued Cissé for a long time, and it was an open secret that
former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admired Cissé's
qualities.
He managed to score 70 goals in 128 league games for Auxerre,
and has currently scored 3 goals in 15 first-team games in all
competitions for Liverpool this season. He had only played 19
games for Liverpool when he broke his left leg playing against
Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on October 30, 2004. The injury
was not a result of a tackle as was initially thought, but
rather from an awkward fall as his foot appeared to be caught in
the turf.
Cissé later revealed that had it not been for prompt attention
from the trainers at the stadium (who had to pull his bones back
into place with their hands), he would probably have lost the
leg below the knee. He had pins inserted in the leg, and was
expected to be out of action for the rest of the 2004-05 season.
However, it was reported in late March 2005 that Cissé's
recovery has advanced to the point that he may be able to return
to action by the end of the season. |
