Papa Waigo N'Diaye (born 20 January 1984 in Saint-Louis, Senegal), often simplified as Papa Waigo, is a Senegalese football (soccer) international striker, who currently plays for English League 1 side Southampton on a season long loan from Fiorentina.

[edit] Football career

He began his career at Verona on 3 June 2002, before heading to Serie B outfit Cesena in 2005. After a successful spell where he was the highest-scoring non-Italian in the 2006–07 season he was signed by Genoa on 7 September 2007 for an undisclosed fee.

On 19 January 2008 he joined ACF Fiorentina in a swap deal for Belgian defender Anthony Vanden Borre, with the two clubs co-owning both players' rights.^[1]

He made his Serie A debut on 26 August 2007, Genoa 0-3 lost to A.C. Milan. He began his Fiorentina career in impressive style, with two goals in his first three games, including one in the 3-2 victory against giants Juventus on 2 March. Following the match, Waigo became semi-naked after throwing both his jersey and shorts to Fiorentina supporters.^[2]

In 27 January 2009, Waigo signed for Serie B side Lecce on loan until the end of the season. While on loan he played six games but failed to score for the club.^[3].

On 2 September 2009 Waigo signed a season long loan with Football League One side, Southampton. The season long loan carries with it an option for Southampton to purchase the player.^[4]He made his debut on the 13 September 2009 in a 1-1 draw at Charlton, replacing Adam Lallana in the 90th minute.^[5]

He scored his first goal for the club on 3 October 2009 in a 4-1 home win over Gillingham.^[6] He celebrated with his trademark 'Waigo Dance', involving him stepping ungainly thrice, before twice tapping his neck. He followed this up by scoring twice against Torquay United, as the Saints came from 2-0 down at half time to draw 2-2 and then win on penalties (with Waigo converting his) in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.^[7] Also in the next round, Waigo scored twice which took the game to penalties. Waigo also took a penalty which he scored.

[edit] International

He plays international football for West African nation Senegal and was part of the Senegalese squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. He played four matches (out of possible six) at 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Papa Waigo N'Diaye career stats at Soccerbase
• acffiorentina.it (Italian)
• ESPN Profile
• Sky Sports Profile
• Genoa sign pair
• [1]

v • d • e Senegal squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Sylva • 2 Sonko • 3 N'Daw • 4 Sarr • 5 Diawara • 6 Faye • 7 Camara • 8 Niang • 9 Gueye • 10 N'Doye • 11 Diouf • 12 Bayal Sall • 13 Diatta • 14 Papa Waigo • 15 Kamara • 16 C. N'Diaye • 17 Sougou • 18 Mendy • 19 Bouba Diop • 20 Faye • 21 Beye • 22 Ba • 23 Coundoul • Coach: L. N'Diaye