Abou Diaby

Abou Diaby

Diaby playing for Arsenal in 2010
Personal information
Full name	Vassiriki Abou Diaby
Date of birth	(1986-05-11) 11 May 1986 (age 30)
Place of birth	Paris, France
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Marseille
Number	5
Youth career
1994–1998	Aubervilliers
1998–2001	Red Star Paris
2001–2002	Paris Saint-Germain
1999–2002	INF Clairefontaine
2002–2004	Auxerre
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2006	Auxerre	10	(1)
2006–2015	Arsenal	125	(14)
2015–	Marseille	5	(0)
National team‡
2004–2005	France U19	12	(0)
2006–2007	France U21	2	(0)
2007–2012	France	16	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:02, 27 August 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 01:38, 1 July 2015 (UTC)

Vassiriki Abou Diaby (French pronunciation: ​[abu djabi]; born 11 May 1986), known as Abou Diaby, is a French professional footballer who currently plays for French club Marseille. He plays primarily in a box to box role, as he is adept in both attacking and defending, and is described as a player who is "languid, elusive, and athletic" that can either "dribble past opponents or slip passes to team-mates". Of Ivorian descent, Diaby also possesses "superb touch" and "excellent close control". Diaby's career has been hampered by numerous repetitive injuries, a problem that has existed since his time in France. His physical appearance and positional preference have evoked comparisons to Arsenal legend and compatriot Patrick Vieira.

Diaby was born in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, but was raised in the Parisian commune of Aubervilliers. He began his football career playing for hometown club CM Aubervilliers. In 1998, he joined Red Star Paris. A year later, Diaby was selected to attend the Clairefontaine academy. He spent four years at the academy while simultaneously training with Red Star. A year before departing Clairefontaine, Diaby moved to professional club Paris Saint-Germain. Following an administrative error by club officials which made Diaby a free agent, he joined the academy of Auxerre. He spent two years in the club's youth academy before making his professional debut in the 2004–05 season. Diaby also played in the UEFA Cup with the club. After spending the Autumn portion of the 2005–06 season with Auxerre, in January 2006, Diaby signed with English club Arsenal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut with the club that same month and scored his first goal three months later against Aston Villa. Diaby had his ankle broken by Dan Smith of Sunderland five months after joining Arsenal, and has since struggled with numerous injuries.