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Abdoulaye Meite1, Bolton Wanderers 

Abdoulaye Meite

Born: Paris (France), 6th October 1980

International Honours: Ivory Coast Full

Position: Defender

Squad Number: 5

Former Clubs: Red Star Paris (France), Olympique Marseille (France)

It took Bolton manager Sam Allardyce over two years to secure the services of Olympique Marseille's powerful centre half Abdoulaye Meite and many beleive that the French-born African will turn out to be as good as, if not better than his predassessor Bruno N'Gotty, who himself is also a former player of L'OM.

Meite signed a four year contract with the Trotters and it has since been revealed that their interest came long before any UEFA Cup duels or impressive World Cup campaigns. In fact it was the 2003-04 winter transfer window when Allardyce tried to first bring the Ivory Coast international to the Premier League.

He was thwarted on the first occasion and on the second occasion the following summer whilst last season when Meite was coming to the final year of his contract rumours where rife that Bolton held pole position for his signature and this was further strengthened by the player himself who claimed a desire to move to these shores.

In mid-July 2006 the club finally got their man by paying in the region of £1 million, a fee which Allardyce states is a bargain for a player who has played at a high level and has considerable experience in European football.

The Wanderers had already seen Meite at close quarters as he was part of the Marseille team to end any hopes of progression in the UEFA Cup in the 2005-2006 season and was also a regular for the Ivorians in their 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany.

Prior to moving to Marseille in 2000, Meite had a two year spell with minor French club Red Star Paris, a club who ironically also nutured along the talents of a former Bolton midfielder in the shape of Senegal's Khalilou Fadiga.

Bolton are confident that Meite can make a real impression on their supporters and his qualities and versatility across the back four are sure to be an assett to the team over the coming years, with progress in Europe undoubtedly still the aim overall.

His first season at the Reebok Stadium has been successful, he filled the void left by Bruno N'Gotty perfectly and was a mainstay in the defence throughout the season.

He remained calm under pressure and often supported the attack as they went in search for goals, something which paid dividens as he netted his first Bolton goal in an FA Cup replay against Arsenal in February 2007.

BOLTON RECORD: 35 appearances 0 goals

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