Djibril Cisse looks forward to donning the white once again after penning a four year deal at l'OM.
Djibril Cisse completed his permanent switch from Liverpool to Marseille late on July 7. The Provence-born striker declared himself greatly pleased with his return to the Stade Velodrome.
The striker signed for Liverpool in 2004 but found first team options limited after a series of horror injuries, including one awkward leg break that could have proved career-ending - or worse - had medical attention not been so prompt in arriving.Even during periods of fitness, Cisse often seemed unhappy and claimed that he was being alienated by Reds manager Rafa Benitez in a July 2006 interview.
Marseille seemed ready to pounce on a permanent deal, but another leg break saw the switch called off. Later, he recovered sufficiently to join l'OM on loan.After a poor start, he eventually recoverd to enjoy a fine ending to his first season back in France, scoring 14 goals in 23 appearances, with 7 of them coming in four French Cup games, including a brace during l'OM's narrow final defeat.With the squad needing strengthened for the impending Champions League campaign, Marseille maintained their interest in the player, seeking a new loan deal. But, both player and Liverpool wanted something more permanent. Now, he's completed a transfer to the Mediterranean club, signing on for four years.
He said of his move, "I am very happy, really pleased. That was a long summer. I had to fight tooth and nail, but here I am now," he said to Marseille's official website.Somewhat unusually in the modern days of big-money transfers, Cisse himself played a big part in negotiations. He claimed, "I made a point of being present during all the discussions between Marseille and Liverpool. I wanted to show the people in charge at Liverpool that this was not a joke, this wasn't merely idle talk, and that my will was to come to the OM. I think that played a part in the final outcome."When asked about the difficult times last season, he shrugged off any suggestion that this may not be the right move. "Marseille is like my home now. I feel well here," he continued. When asked about the negative reaction of the Stade Velodrome fans to his poor early season form, he admitted that he found it "irritating", but he also "never doubted" his own ability to overcome.
His ex-Liverpool teammate Bolo Zenden has also signed up for l'OM, and Cisse is looking forward to reuniting with the Dutchman: "Bolo is a friend. He's a very effective player, and very determined; he's somebody who never merely goes through the motions."Finally, he looked ahead to the coming season.
He concluded, "There is the French Championship, and the Champions League in which l'OM hasn't played for three years and that we're preparing for in September. With the team we have this year, I believe we can make beautiful things."
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