Salif Diao (born 10 February 1977 in Kedougou, Senegal) is a
Senegalese football player, playing as a defensive midfielder.
He currently plays for Birmingham City F.C., on loan from
Liverpool F.C., and Senegal.
He began his career in his native Senegal before moving to
France at the age of seventeen. He played for AS Monaco and won
the French League with them in the 1999-2000 season. He also won
a runner-up medal in the 2002 African Nations Cup, where Senegal
lost in extra time to Cameroon.
He was signed by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier from
French club Sedan for £5 million after the 2002 World Cup in
Japan and South Korea. While his natural position is that of
defensive or central midfielder, Houiller often used him either
as a centre back or as a right back. On January 18, 2004
Birmingham City took Diao, who had struggled to make Liverpool's
first team, on loan for the rest of the season.
Diao has appeared 39 times for Senegal, netting 4 goals in the
process. |
