Issiar Dia (born 8 June 1987 in Sèvres) is a French footballer of Senegalese origin currently playing with French Ligue 1 side AS Nancy-Lorraine.

[edit] Career

Pacy winger Issiar Dia is one of the hottest prospects currently playing within French football, Dia is a recent arrival to the Stade Marcel Picot after arriving in the 2006 summer transfer window for €2 million under the management of Pablo Correa. Dia made his name with Ligue 2 side Amiens SC where he performed brilliantly despite only being a teenager. The forward player can play on either flank as well as being able to play in the striker role.

Dia is incredibly gifted and has been likened to France international Frank Ribery, since joining AS Nancy he has been a revelation and has 'wowed' fans' all across France. The wide man is often deployed on the right side of the attack and his superb start to his AS Nancy career earned him a call up to the France U-21 squad - the country of his birth. Despite this, after his 21st birthday, Dia chose to pledge his future to the Senegalese. He was selected for the squad the first time possible, against Gambia, and came on as a substitute in the 61st minute for Frederic Mendy.

As well as being incredibly quick, Dia possesses great strength allowing him to shield the ball easily when he is holding up play. Dia is not a prolific goalscorer but he does occasionally find the net but is more likely to be found on top of the assists' leader board. Dia is destined for great things with Nancy and the wide man has been a success with the side already and still only in his teens, things can only get better for the Frenchman.

In January 2009, it was reported that Dia's Senegalese international team mate Ibrahima Sonko was keen to see Dia join him at his club, English Premiership side Stoke City.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• (French) L'Equipe profile
• (French) France U-21 squad 2006-07
• (French) Roulf.free.fr profile
• (English) stats.globesports.com