Souleymane Bamba

Football player infobox
playername = Souleymane Bamba
fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|1|13
cityofbirth = Ivry-sur-Seine
countryofbirth = France
height =
currentclub = Hibernian
clubnumber = 26
position = Centre-back
Defensive midfielder
years = 2004–2006
2006–2008
2008–
clubs = Paris Saint Germain
fc|Dunfermline Athletic
fc|Hibernian
caps(goals) = 01 0(0)
35 0(0)
03 0(0)
nationalyears = 2006–2008
2008–
nationalteam = Ivory Coast U-23's
Ivory Coast
nationalcaps(goals) = 0? 0(?)
00 0(0)
pcupdate = 4 October 2008
ntupdate = 15:55, 18 July 2008 (UTC)

Souleymane "Sol" Bamba (born 13 January 1985) is a French-Ivorian professional association football player who is currently playing for Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

Career

Domestic

Early career

Nicknamed Sol, Bamba began his career with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 14. Despite impressing for the youth and B teams, he failed to feature for the first team. After an initial trial period, Bamba signed for Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic in July 2006 after being released by Paris Saint Germain. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/5219198.stm|title=Defender Bamba joins Dunfermline|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008] During his short trial he came on as a substitute in a pre season friendly against the La Liga side Osasuna and made and instant impact, his enthusiasm and passion for the game shining through. After an array of fully committed challenges, and a narrowly-missed thundering 30 yard strike, he became an instant hit with the East End crowd and cemented his move to the club.

Dunfermline Athletic

Throughout the course of the 2006–07 season Bamba continued to impress with his no nonsense, fully-committed defending style and enthusiastic approach to every game. Bamba was part of the squad that reached the 2007 Scottish Cup Final, but were also relegated from the Scottish Premier League. Bamba signed a two-year contract extension at the start of the 2007-08 season. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/6967126.stm|title=Bamba signs a new deal with Pars|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008] His performances were less impressive in his second season [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/7051970.stm|title=Dunfermline 0-5 Hamilton|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008] which led many to believe manager Jim McIntyre would allow him to leave the club.

In July 2008, Bamba was allowed to go on trial with English Championship side Watford, [cite web|url=http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=116592|title=La Bamba - Watford trial Pars soul|publisher=vitalfootball.co.uk|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008] appearing in a friendly for them against Boreham Wood. [cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1349098,00.html|title=Boreham Wood 1 Watford 3|publisher=watfordfc.co.uk|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2008] At the end of July, manager Jim McIntyre said he expected a fee to be agreed between Dunfermline and Watford, and for Bamba to move to the Championship side soon. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/7526579.stm|title=Watford close in on Pars' Bamba|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=July 29|accessyear=2008] Although the deal was thought to be almost complete, Watford pulled out in mid-August for unknown reasons. [cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/nationwide1/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/08/08/21/manual_174324.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1|title=HORNETS PULL OUT OF BAMBA DEAL|publisher=sportinglife.com|accessdate=August 22|accessyear=2008] On transfer deadline day 2008, it was reported that Dunfermline had accepted an offer of £50,000 from Scottish Premier League sides Hibernian and Motherwell. [cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/09/01/sportstory11897027t0.asp|title=Bamba on his way back to the SPL|publisher=The Courier|accessdate=September 1|accessyear=2008]

Hibernian

Bamba returned to the Scottish Premier League on September 1 2008 with Edinburgh based side Hibernian. The deal with Dunfermline was thought to be around £50,000, with the player signing a three-year-deal. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/7591944.stm|title=Hibs sign Bamba from Dunfermline|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=September 1|accessyear=2008] On his debut he was sent off for a second bookable offfence against fc|Dundee United.

International

Bamba made his mark on the international stage, featuring in the 2005 African Youth Championship for his parent’s home land Côte d'Ivoire. He also played for his country alongside PSV Eindhoven striker, and 2006 World Cup player Arouna Koné at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. In May 2008, Bamba played in the 36th edition of the Toulon Tournament for his country. Bamba was part of the Côte d'Ivoire side taking part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, playing 2 matches before his country were knocked out in the Quarter-finals.

ee also

*Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season 2007-08 | 2008-09
*Hibernian F.C. season 2008-09

References

External links

*
* [http://www.dafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10288~32407,00.html Profile at dafc.co.uk]