Papa Bouba Diop
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pape Bouba Diop | ||
| Date of birth | 28 January 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Dakar, Senegal | ||
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder / Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1995 | Ndeffann Saltigue | ||
| 1995–1996 | ASC Diaraf | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–1999 | ASC Diaraf | ||
| 1999–2000 | Vevey | ||
| 2000–2001 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 19 | (4) |
| 2001–2002 | Grasshoppers | 29 | (5) |
| 2002–2004 | Lens | 47 | (6) |
| 2004–2007 | Fulham | 76 | (8) |
| 2007–2010 | Portsmouth | 53 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | AEK Athens | 19 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | West Ham United | 16 | (1) |
| 2012–2013 | Birmingham City | 2 | (1) |
| Total | 261 | (26) | |
| National team | |||
| 2001–2008 | Senegal | 63 | (11) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Pape "Papa" Bouba Diop (born 28 January 1978) is a retired Senegalese footballer.
His preferred position was defensive midfield but could also play as a centre back, where he previously played at Lens. His nickname is "The Wardrobe", given to him by Fulham fans, due to his height and large frame. Diop is well known for his strength and aggression, long-range shots, solid style of play and his leadership. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Patrick Vieira.
Diop's second of a total of 11 international goals for Senegal launched his national team onto a global stage. The 1–0 defeat of then-world champions France was the opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and Senegal's first ever match at the FIFA World Cup.
Diop was born in Rufisque, Dakar. He began his football career with junior team Ndeffann Saltigue before joining ASC Diaraf of the Senegal Premier League in 1996. He left Senegal for Switzerland, where he spent a few months with third-tier club Vevey before signing as a professional for Ligue Nationale A club Neuchâtel Xamax in the 2000 close season. In December that same year, he joined fellow top-flight club Grasshoppers, whom he helped to the championship title in his first half-season and made his first appearance in UEFA competitions the next. He moved to France in January 2002 to join Lens of Ligue 1 on a five-and-a-half-year contract.
After his impressive performances for Lens, Papa Boupa Diop signed with Premier League team Fulham for £6 million, signing a four-year deal in July 2004. Diop made his debut against Manchester City on 14 August 2004, playing the full 90 minutes. Diop scored his first goal for Fulham against Chelsea, scoring Fulham's only goal in a 4–1 home defeat. In his first season at Fulham, Diop made an impressive display for the club that he was named Fulham's Opta player of the season award for 2004/05.
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