ALOU DIARRA

A 2006 FIFA World Cup runner-up and 2012 UEFA European Championship, Alou Diarra joined the Hammers on a three-year contract from Olympique Marseille for an undisclosed fee on 10 August 2012.

Capped more than 40 times by his country, Diarra has enjoyed a fine playing career, winning the French title twice, appearing in the UEFA Champions League nearly 30 times and captaining his country.

Born in the northern Paris suburb of Villepinte, the 6'3 tall defensive midfielder is known for his outstanding physical attributes and leadership abilities.

2013/14

Headed in the opening goal of West Ham United's pre-season schedule in a 6-2 win at Cork City on 7 July 2013....Suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the Hammers' 2-1 Capital One Cup second round victory over Cheltenham Town on 27 August 2013...Returned ahead of schedule in the quarter final victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 18 December 2013...Started in central defence in the 2-1 Barclays Premier League loss at Fulham on 1 January 2014.

2012/13

Joined West Ham United on a three-year contract from Olympique de Marseille on 10 August 2012...Made his West Ham United debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Swansea City on 25 August 2012...Made his maiden West Ham United start in a 2-0 Capital One Cup second-round victory over Crewe Alexandra on 28 August 2012...Joined French Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais on loan on the last day of the January 2013 transfer window.

International career

Made his senior debut for France in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland in Paris in October 2004...Helped France to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup final...Appeared twice in Germany, including a substitute appearance in the final defeat by Italy...Started all three group-stage matches for France at the 2012 UEFA European Championship finals, including a 1-1 draw with England.

Before West Ham United

Came through the ranks at Ligue 2 club CS Louhans-Cuiseaux...Was snapped up by Bayern Munich at the age of 19, spending the next two seasons learning his trade in the German giants' reserve team alongside future internationals Owen Hargreaves, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger...Signed for Liverpool in 2002, but failed to make a senior appearance...Enjoyed successful loan spells with French clubs Le Havre, Bastia and Lens before joining the latter on a permanent basis in 2005...Made ten European appearances as Lens reached the last-32 of the UEFA Cup in 2005/06...Joined Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2006...Won the Ligue 1 title with Olympique Lyonnais in 2007, but joined Bordeaux after making just 15 league appearances...Made more than 150 appearances over four seasons with Olympique Lyonnais, winning the French league title again in 2009 and three other domestic trophies...Spent the 2011/12 season with Olympique de Marseille.