26 Facts About Salif Diao

Salif Alassane Diao was born on 10 February 1977 and is a Senegalese former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.

Salif Diao failed to hold down a regular place at Monaco and moved to Sedan in 2000.

Salif Diao then had an impressive 2002 World Cup with Senegal, which attracted the attention of several Premier League sides.

Salif Diao joined the latter Stoke permanently on a free transfer in 2007 and helped the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Salif Diao began his career in his native country before moving to France at the age of seventeen.

Salif Diao won a runner-up medal in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, where Senegal lost in extra time to Cameroon.

Salif Diao made 22 appearances for Sedan in his second season at the club, with an extra two games in the UEFA Cup.

Salif Diao helped Senegal reach the quarter-finals, most notably in scoring a memorable goal against Denmark in the first round, although he was red-carded.

Salif Diao was left out of Liverpool's squad for the victorious 2003 Football League Cup Final despite playing often in the earlier rounds, including the semi-final first leg against Sheffield United.

Salif Diao appeared only once in the campaign, coming on as a substitute away at Olympiacos in the group stage.

In January 2005, Birmingham City took Salif Diao, who had struggled to make Liverpool's first team, on loan for the rest of the season, but he had his spell at Birmingham ended by injury almost immediately.

Salif Diao joined Portsmouth in August 2005 on a season-long loan, but spent much of the season out injured.

In July 2006, Salif Diao was taken on trial by Premiership side Charlton Athletic.

Salif Diao failed a medical at the club, thus ending his chances of signing.

On 10 October 2006, Salif Diao joined Stoke City on loan.

Salif Diao became a consistent player for Stoke, holding the team together, slowing down the tempo and speed of the game.

Salif Diao eventually signed permanently for Stoke on a one-and-a-half-year deal in December 2007.

Salif Diao put in some decent performances for Stoke, including games against former club Liverpool and man of the match performances against Chelsea and Sunderland.

Salif Diao scored his first goal for the club in an away win at Portsmouth in February 2010.

Salif Diao left Stoke after he rejected a new contract, which would have given a joint role as a club ambassador and player.

However, Salif Diao changed his mind and agreed to sign a new contract with Stoke.

Salif Diao has appeared 39 times for Senegal, scoring four goals in the process since 2000, including a strike against Denmark at the 2002 FIFA World Cup after a series of quick passes by his teammates to set him up.

Salif Diao was later sent off in the same match for a high tackle.

Salif Diao was in the Senegal squad that went to the 2002 African Cup of Nations where Senegal finished second after losing in the final to Cameroon and was part of the Senegal side that went to the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

Salif Diao has been involved in Senegal's qualification campaigns for the past three World Cups in 2002,2006 and 2010.

In 2015, Salif Diao began taking his coaching badges, working at the Liverpool Academy while doing so.