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STÉPHANE ZIANI
Date of Birth: 9 December, 1971
Nationality: France (international)
Period at Deportivo: 1998 - 1999
Transfer: 775 mln pts (ca €5 million) (1998, RC Lens)
Clubs: Ajaccio (2005), Bastia (2005), Servette Geneve (2004-2005), Nantes (2000-2004), Bordeaux (1999-2000), Deportivo (1998-1999), Lens (1997-1998), Bordeaux (1996-1997), Stade Rennes (1995-1996), Bastia (1994-1995), Nantes (1991-1994)
Sold: 2.200 mln pts (ca €14,1 million) (1999, together with Bonnissel, to Bordeaux)
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Position: Midfielder (right)
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French international midfielder ZIANI had a stormy stint in La Coruña. It was a quick but impressive one which ended almost before it began.
Inspiring Ziani had always been nomadic before he signed at Deportivo in June 1998. The Galicians had just finished a terrible season and needed new spirit in their squad. Deportivo president Lendoiro called him "a player with great performances" and he was convinced Ziani would be "a useful addition for Deportivo". Ziani signed a contract until June 2003 with a buy-out clause of $100 million. Depor’s president had learned from the Rivaldo-case a year earlier.
For Ziani's part, Deportivo would be his sixth club in six years. He started his professional career at Nantes and also played for Bastia, Stade Rennes and Bordeaux before he played an impressive season 1997/1998 at Lens. He scored 11 goals during their campaign which ended by winning the French competition. Lens qualified for Champions League football, but Ziani called Depor’s offer “something I cannot rejected. I don’t mind not playing at least six matches in the Champions League”. Arsenal were also after the midfielder and offered twenty-five percent more, but Ziani had his mind set on Deportivo.
So, Deportivo signed a much-needed winner that summer and he became part of the Irureta era. Both coach and player started their time at Deportivo at the same moment and their first year was quite successful. Irureta took Deportivo back into Europe while Ziani scored 5 Liga goals and started almost all of the matches (36). Considering Liga minutes he was Depor’s fifth player that season after legendary figures like Songo’o, Mauro Silva, Romero and Fran.
But within one year Ziani was gone again. Deportivo were approached by one of his former clubs, Bordeaux, who wanted to get both Bonnissel and Ziani. Deportivo received more than €14 million for both players, meaning that Ziani would move on again within one year. In 2000 he returned to Nantes, where he had started his professional career, and immediately clinched another French title by winning the league. In 2005 at Ajaccio he had his eleventh spell at eight different clubs.
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