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Alain Didier Zokora-Déguy born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, is an Ivorian footballer who plays the position of midfielder. He joined the La Liga team Sevilla FC in the summer of 2009. Zokora plays in a defensive role and is a strong tactical player in the middle of the park.
Zokora started his career in Côte d'Ivoire at the famed youth academy of Mimosas. In 2000 he moved abroad to play for Belgian team Racing Genk and wins the Belgian Jupiler League season 2001-2002 where Sef Vergoossen was the coach and Wesley Sonck the top goalscorer. In the summer of 2004 he went to play for AS Saint-Étienne in France.
Zokora joined Tottenham for €8.2m in the summer of 2006 as a result of his World Cup performance for the Ivory Coast, Zokora was wanted by Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal but rejected their advances as he wanted to make a move that would give him more chance of playing.
Over the 3 years he was at the club he has became a firm favourite amongst the 'Tottenham faithful'. The chant sung for Zokora, is to the theme tune of "Lets all do the Conga" Do-do-do Didier Zokora. Although he was at the club for 3 years, he failed to score in over 130 appearances and will be best remembered for his terrible miss in the 80th minute of the 2008 Football League Cup Final after missing two clear shots on goal, the second being balloned over the bar when the goalkeeper was on the floor. Spurs went on to win the match in extra time, courtesy of a header from Jonathan Woodgate. He didn't watch Dimitar Berbatov score his penalty. He only knew he had scored through the crowd reaction. He never watches penalties because he believes it gives the taker luck. He was also part of the Tottenham side which returned to Wembley Stadium the following year to play in the 2009 Football League Cup Final this time against Manchester United. Tottenham lost this game on penalties after the sides drew 0-0 after extra time. Zokora did manage to score a penalty in the shoot-out against PSV Eindhoven in the Uefa Cup.
In the summer transfer period of 2009 Zokora signed for Sevilla FC for € 9 million euro. Zokora made his debut for Sevilla FC on August 30, 2009 in the first round of the La Liga season away to Valencia CF.
Zokora has also played 78 international matches for the Côte d'Ivoire national football team, as of January 2010.
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