By Mark Heys
November 14 2005

Khalilou Fadiga

Born: Dakar, Senegal, 30th December 1974

International Honours: Senegal Full

Position: Left Winger

Squad Number: 39

Former Clubs: Red Star Paris (France), FC Liege (Belgium), SK Lommel (Belgium), Club Brugge (Belgium), Auxerre (France), Inter Milan (Italy), Derby County (loan).

This skillful Senegalese international made his name after a highly successful four year spell with top Belgian club Club Brugge in the mid to late 1990's.

Fadiga then moved across to the country where he was raised as a child by signing for French club Auxerre in 2000, and it was here that his ability was recognised even further by some of the top profile clubs across European football.

He played an important role for Senegal in the 2002 World Cup alongside his current Bolton team mate El-Hadji Diouf as the Lions went on to shock the World by dumping out the then holders France at the first hurdle.

He moved to Inter Milan in the summer of 2003 for £5 million but was unable to play a game for them when it was discovered that he had an irregular heart rythmn which could not only jeapordise his career, but also his life.

He was given the all-clear but Inter cut their losses on the African and offloaded him to Bolton prior to the closure of the transfer window in August 2004.

Bolton seemed confident that they could resurrect this once promising player, and indeed things where going very well indeed as he made an instant impression on his debut as a late substitute against Crystal Palace.

Tragedy struck just over a week later as he collapsed whilst warming up for the Carling Cup game against Tottenham Hotspur, the whole of the club and it's supporters felt total shock as the player was immediately rushed to hospital with further heart complications

.

Fortunately Fadiga came round and spent the next two months out of action following further heart surgery in Belgium. He discussed his future plans at length with his family and the club, and it was concluded that he should carry his career on with the aid of an automatic defibrilator.

It was great to see him return in the New Year, to play a small, yet effective part in Bolton's push for a UEFA Cup place and it is hoped that the experienced winger has an injury and illness free season in 2005-2006.

In September 2005 he joined up with Derby County to gain further match fitness

BOLTON RECORD: 5 appearances, 0 goals