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Papa Bouba Diop (born January 28, 1978 in Dakar) is a Senegalese footballer, who currently plays for the Senegal national football team and Fulham.
Diop started his career playing for two Dakar clubs, before moving away to Switzerland, where he played for three clubs including the famous Grasshoppers Zurich.
He shot to fame after scoring the first goal in the 2002 FIFA World Cup against France in the Lions shock 1-0 win on the opening day. He followed that goal up by scoring another two goals against Uruguay.
He joined Fulham from RC Lens for an undisclosed fee, believed to be GBP (£)2million, in July 2004. In his first season at Fulham, he scored brilliant long-range goals against Manchester United and local rivals Chelsea F.C., as well as a crucial last-gasp header to win a match against WBA. He has been almost incessantly linked with lucrative moves to Manchester United and Arsenal F.C., although his manager Chris Coleman is adamant that the Senegalese is not going anywhere. Certainly the many Fulham fans who have been impressed by his work rate, skill and commitment would like to see him remain at the club.
He is nicknamed 'The Wardrobe' by his team mates at Fulham due to his enormous dimensions, although it is unknown whether his French-speaking Senegal team mates know him by the literal translation of the word 'Armoire'. He is also less comonly known as Bubba after the character from the movie Forrest Gump.
Additional statistics
- Weight: 94 kg (207 lb)
- Position: Midfielder
- Fulham Debut: vs. Manchester City at City of Manchester Stadium, 14/08/04.
External links
Living people | 1978 births | Senegalese footballers | Neuchâtel Xamax players | Grasshopper-Club Zürich players | RC Lens players | Fulham F.C. players | FA Premier League players | Current English Premiership players | FIFA World Cup 2002 players
"Papa Bouba Diop"