OTD: DJIBRIL CISSE BORN

Born on this day is SAFC cult hero and Champions League winner Djibril Cisse. The French striker impressed on Wearside in a loan stint from Marseille, but wasn't signed permanently. "Sunderland's number nine" as the chant goes, he was a fascinating character as well as a top class footballer.

After being the top scorer in the French league, Cisse first moved to England for £14 million to play for Liverpool. He scored his first goal for the Reds in a 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane. Cisse was involved in a freak accident in a match against Blackburn Rovers, fracturing his fibia and tibia in his left leg. He was out for six months, and returned ahead of schedule in the quarter-final of the Champions League against Juventus. In the final of the same competition, the striker came on in the second half. He scored a penalty in the shootout, after Liverpool’s famous comeback in Istanbul, and his spot kick put the Reds 2-0 up on penalties. He also went on to score another major goal, in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham United. Despite having a major impact in these big games, Rafa Benitez was frustrated by the striker’s inconsistency and lack of work rate.

In June 2006, Cisse moved back to his home country of France to sign for Marseille. However, he broke his leg for France in a friendly against China on the same day his transfer was confirmed. He regained fitness and scored his first goal for Marseille in December. Despite a slow start, the forward scored two goals in the French cup final which Marseille lost on penalties. In the 2007/08 season, Cisse really impressed at the Stade Velodrome. He bagged 15 goals in 25 games but had been linked with a return to England all season. Ultimately, Cisse missed Britain too much- his wife had still been living in England.

In August 2008, the Frenchman signed for Sunderland on a season-long loan deal. He scored on his debut, coming off the bench, a powerful header in a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur. He soon revealed that he wanted to join the Lads permanently, with Roy Keane claiming he’d break the transfer record to sign the ex-Liverpool man. Despite Keane departing after the season, Cisse still wanted to stay. One of his most memorable Sunderland goals was in a derby win against Newcastle, after insisting in the weeks building up to the game that he would score. It was hugely monumental, as it was our first derby win in eight years and first win at home against the Mags in 28! That goal amongst others has made Cisse a cult hero on Wearside, despite only having a year at Sunderland. He certainly loved a big occasion didn't he?

After his time in red and white, Cisse continued to have short but successful stints at clubs. He featured for the likes of Panathinaikos and Queens Park Rangers. He initially retired in 2015, before changing his mind and signing for Swiss side Yverdon. He’s now officially retired, after his last club was amateur side Panathinaikos Chicago in 2021, who play in an amateur league!

As well as his goals in the big games, Djibril will always be remembered on Wearside for his crazy hairstyles, tattoos, flash cars and, of course, his designer underwear...