24. Zoumana Bakayogo

Last updated : 14 May 2010 By Tranmere Mad

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. Following this, Bakayogo then 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 at Brighton & Hove Albion. He suffered a hellish 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.

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, he came on as a half time substitute. He was released from the club in early 2009 and returned to France.

A French agency put him in contact with Port Vale boss Micky Adams, Bakayogo played in a pre-season friendly game. Adams said "I thought he did fantastically well in the 60 minutes he played". He was not offered a contract as Bakayogo's agent insisted upon an instant decision, something which Adams could not provide.

On 1 September 2009 it was announced that Tranmere Rovers had signed the French defender the player on a free transfer until January 2010. He has had a successful start at Tranmere with two man of the match performances.

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. 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 FC. He played well at left back in a game Tranmere lost 1-0