Former record signing El-Hadji Diouf made a permanent switch to
Premiership side Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2005 after a
successful season loan spell with the Trotters.
African Footballer of the Year 2002 and 2003 El-Hadji Diouf was
a major disappointment at Anfield despite a big money 10 million
transfer fee when Gerard Houllier signed him from Lens.
Houllier put his faith in Diouf and made the choice to sign him
and not take up the permament signing of loan star Nicolas Anelka.
It was a decision that was to backfire on the manager as in the
end Houllier left the club in the summer of 2004.
Originally signed as a striker but played on the right wing,
Diouf scored just six goals in his first season including three
in the Worthington Cup.
In 2003/04 he became the first player to wear the number nine
at Liverpool not to score a goal for over 50-odd years. He made
33 appearances and went over 14 months without a goal.
After a series of disciplinary problems Diouf was then off-loaded
by new manager Rafael Benitez on a season's loan to Bolton Wanderers.
Diouf enjoyed a mixed debut season at Anfield but his best performance
was reserved for the 2003 Worthington Cup Final as Liverpool beat
Manchester United.
The second most expensive player in the history of LFC up until
the signing of Djibril Cisse, Diouf starred in the 2002 World
Cup Finals for Senegal and helped his side reach the quarter-finals
before they lost 1-0 to Turkey.
Diouf first came to the public eye with his stunning performance
in the opening World Cup win over France. He created the only
goal of the game and led defenders Lebouef and Desailly a merry
dance. The very next day his 10 million transfer was confirmed
by Liverpool.
His move from northern France was no shock, since Marseille,
Tottenham, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Parma
had all considered prising him away.
Diouf also starred in the 2002 African Nations Cup as Senegal
finished runners-up to Cameroon.
Diouf kicked-off his French career at Sochaux, playing 15 league
matches in 1998/99. But it wasn't until the following season,
with Rennes, that he scored his first goal.
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