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Who is Papy Djilobodji? All you need to know about Chelsea's new signing

Senegal's Papy Djilobodji (2nd L) vies for the ball with Tunisia's Hamza Mathlouthi (R)  during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying
Image: Senegal international Papy Djilobodji has joined Chelsea

As Chelsea complete the surprise signing of Nantes' Papy Djilobodji, we take a closer look at the Senegal international.

After making the second-worst start to a Premier League title defence and conceding nine goals in their first four games, Chelsea have an eight-point gap to make up on league leaders Manchester City.

It seems boss Jose Mourinho has made a late move to bolster his defensive options with a £2.7m move for Djilobodji, after Everton repeatedly turned down his advances for Englishman John Stones.

With Djilobodji unveiled as a Chelsea player on deadline day, here's all you need to know about him…

Factfile:  

Name: Papy Djilobodji

Age: 26

Also See:

Position: Centre-back, defensive midfield

Current club: Nantes

Nation: Senegal (12 caps)

Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) reacts in front of Nantes' Senegalese defender Papy Djilobodji during the French L1 match
Image: Djilobodji clashes with PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic

What type of player is he?

Djilobodji has played in defensive midfield for Nantes previously, but is more at home in central defence.

At 6ft 4in, the Senegal player is a powerful but pacey left-footer and his stats from last season demonstrate his combative approach to the game.

Djilobodji ranked fourth in Ligue 1 for clearances in 2014/15 (8.3 per game) and in the top 10 for interceptions (3.3 per game). Only 16 players won more aerial duels per game than his 3.1 – in contrast, Chelsea's top players in this category last season were Gary Cahill with 3.3, followed by John Terry with 2.6.

The 26-year-old was also the top Nantes player in 2014/15, according to WhoScored.com's statistical rankings, demonstrating his consistency across his 30 starts for the club.

Nantes may have finished 14th in Ligue 1 last season as they continued to establish themselves in France's top flight following their promotion from Ligue 2 in 2012/13 but they recorded the fifth-best defensive record. Djilobodji played a key role, with the team conceding just 40 times in 38 games.

Nantes' defender Papy Djilobodji (L) scores a goal during the French L1 football match Bordeaux (FCGB) vs Nantes on November 10, 2013 at Chaban Delmas Stad
Image: Djilobodji scored three times in the 2013/14 Ligue 1 season

What's his history?

Djilobodji was born in Kaolack, Senegal in 1988 and, after emerging through the youth ranks at local club ASC Saloum, made the decision at 19 years old to pursue a career in football in Europe.

Unsuccessful trials at Lille and Lazio didn't deter Djilobodji and he eventually landed a place with French fourth-division side US Sénart-Moissy in 2009.

By 2010 the defender had been snapped up by Ligue 2 Nantes, where he went on to make over 160 appearances, helping them to promotion to the top flight in 2012/13.

International duty

Djilobodji made his international debut in 2013 and last January was called up for the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was a disappointing tournament for both player and country, though, with Djilobodji unable to prevent Senegal crashing out at the group stage after taking four points from their three games.

Papy Djilobodji
Image: Djilobodji has been a hit at Nantes since joining in 2010

What they say about him

Yaya Toure: "I have seldom seen a defender with this good a left foot and right foot."

Who else was after him?

Djilobodji's form for Nantes has attracted plenty of admirers, with Celtic, Marseille and Trabzonspor linked with moves for the player.

However, with a switch to Celta Vigo seemingly on the cards this summer, Djilobodji was left out of Nantes' first-team this season and forced to train with the development squad in recent weeks.

Chelsea, though, have swooped in to bring the player to Stamford Bridge. 

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