Zoumana Bakayogo

Zoumana Bakayogo (born 17 August 1986) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender.

He is currently a free agent after being released by National League club Notts County.

Born in France, Bakayogo was a youth international for Ivory Coast.

Born in Paris, France, Bakayogo began his career at Paris Saint-Germain Youth Academy, and spent two years at the club since turning professional but never made a single appearance for the side and left the club in 2006.

Bakayogo moved to England when he went on trial at Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2006.

However, the club decided against giving Bakayogo a contract.

He joined Millwall on a free transfer shortly after on 3 August 2006.

He featured in seven games for Millwall 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.

By the time he departed Millwall on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion, Bakayogo reflected on his time for the side, saying: "I didn't have much time to play at Millwall. I'm here to play now and I hope it brings results. At the start (at Millwall) it was a bit too physical. I had to get used to it, I had no choice. I feel more comfortable now."

In January 2007 he was sent on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion.

He suffered a nightmare 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.

As a result of his injury he sustained during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, Manager Dean Wilkins branded his spell at the club a "disaster".

Bakayogo returned to Millwall in the 2007–08 season, where he was told by the club's management that he can leave the club.

Bakayogo made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–1 loss against Swindon Town on 29 September 2007.

He then made two starts between 17 November 2007 and 24 November 2007, coming against Bristol Rovers (which during the game, he gave away the late goal to give Bristol Rovers a win) and Yeovil Town.

Despite determined to fight for his first team place for Millwall and spending most of his time at the club's reserve, Bakayogo went on to make eleven appearances for the side.

At the end of the 2007–08 season, he was released by Millwall.

Bakayogo returned to France by joining Alfortville for the 2008–09 season.

Over the summer of 2009, Bakayogo went on trial at Southend United and Port Vale, but was unsuccessful.

On 1 September 2009, it was announced that Tranmere Rovers had signed Bakayogo on a free transfer until January 2010.

Bakayogo made his Tranmere Rovers debut on 12 October 2009 against Stockport County, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 win, keeping the side a clean sheet in the process.

He had a successful start at Tranmere with two man-of-the-match performances.

He quickly became a fan favourite among Tranmere Rovers’ supporters and earned a nickname: “Zoum” “Back of the Echo” by manager Les Parry.

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.

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

He successfully kept Tranmere in League One, securing the team's place for the next season with a vital victory away at Stockport on the final day of the 2009-10 season, in which he set up a goal during the match.

Bakayogo started in every match since joining the club until his sending off at stoppage time for second bookable offence, in a 1–1 draw against Charlton Athletic on 30 January 2010.

He was then once again sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 0–0 draw against Bristol Rovers on 13 March 2010 and served a two match suspension.

Bakayogo then returned to the starting lineup, starting the whole game, in a 3–0 loss against Wycombe Wanderers on 13 April 2010.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, making thirty–four appearances at Tranmere Rovers, his impressive performances earned him a new contract offer in May 2010 He signed a new one-year contract on 6 July 2010.

Parry added: "I'm delighted Zoom has decided to stay at the club. He was one of our most consistent performers last season and he has a fantastic attitude in training and around the ground."

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Bakayogo found himself on the substitute bench, due to impressive form from Aaron Cresswell, who ironically kept him out of the position last season.

His first appearance of the season came on 28 August 2010, coming on as a substitute for Paul McLaren in the 34th minute, in a 2–2 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge.

He made his first starts of the season on 27 October 2010, starting the whole game, against Stockport County in the Football League Trophy campaign and helped the side beat them on penalty shootout after the game went extra time.

However, in his second start of the season, Bakayogo was sent–off for a second bookable offence, in a 4–2 against Milton Keynes Dons on 30 October 2010.

He then spent several months back to the substitute bench.

After being sidelined with an injury in January, Bakayogo soon regained his first team place following Cresswell's injury.