Ismaël BANGOURA

Ismaël Bangoura was the second-most expensive recruit in the history of Stade Rennais FC when he arrived at the club in 2009 for 11 Million Euros, only surpassed by the Brazilian Lucas. In a side which were shorn of attacking options with the injury to Briand, the repeated fitness problems with Gyan, and the age of Pagis, Pierre Dréossi decided to recruit a top-level attacker. His choice was Bangoura, who had just had an excellent season with Dynamo Kiev (4 goals in the Champions League, and 3 in the Europa League). On his debut, he scored a bicycle kick against Boulogne as early as the 7th minute. The management and supporters thought they had secured an extraordinary player. Unfortunately, the Guinean’s performances after that were largely inconsistent, going from exquisite goals to being responsible for them at the wrong end by neglect. Put up for transfer, he continues to try his luck at Rennes with the real intention of justifying his selection, but he didn’t get on with his Manager Antonetti. Despite two goals in as many matches, Bangoura was sold to Al-Nasr in Dubai at the end of August 2010.