Kamil Zayatte (/ˈkæmɪl ˈzæt/; born 7 March 1985) is a Guinean former professional footballer who played as a defender. An RC Lens youth product, Zayatte's performances at Swiss club Young Boys earned him a loan move to Premier League club Hull City in 2008 which was later made permanent. Following a brief stint with Turkish side Konyaspor in the second half of the 2010–11 season, he joined Istanbul BB. In 2013 he returned to England signing with Sheffield Wednesday where he stayed for two seasons. His last club was Al Raed where he remained for half a season. In addition to his club career, Zayatte made 44 FIFA-official appearances for the Guinea national team.

Kamil Zayatte
Zayatte (left) in action for Istanbul BB
Personal information
Full name Kamil Zayatte[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-07) 7 March 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Conakry, Guinea
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre back, defensive midfielder
Youth career
2002–2005 Lens
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Lens B 55 (1)
2005–2007 Lens 1 (0)
2007–2009 Young Boys 47 (2)
2008–2009Hull City (loan) 18 (1)
2009–2011 Hull City 53 (2)
2011 Konyaspor 13 (1)
2011–2013 Istanbul BB 26 (0)
2013–2015 Sheffield Wednesday 21 (2)
2015–2016 Al Raed 6 (0)
Total 240 (9)
International career
2006–2015 Guinea 44 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Born in Conakry, Zayatte moved from Guinea to Paris, France at the age of fifteen.[2] His first professional club was RC Lens, where he got to know future Hull City teammate Daniel Cousin.[2] He only played in two games for Lens, one league and one cup, and moved to BSC Young Boys for more first-team opportunities.[2]

In summer 2008, Zayatte had trials with Everton and Newcastle United,[3] before joining Hull City on a season-long loan on 31 August.[4] City had the option to sign him longer-term if they stayed in the Premier League.[2] A deal made the transfer permanent for a fee that matched the club's then-record signing (£2.5 million for Anthony Gardner).[5]

On 25 October 2008, Zayatte scored his first goal for Hull in a 3–0 win against West Bromwich Albion early in the second half, a volley from Dean Marney's right hand corner to maintain Hull's impressive start to the 2008–09 campaign.[6]

On 23 January 2009, it was announced that Zayatte had signed permanently with Hull, on a reported three-year deal.[7]

In September 2010, Zayatte was to sign for Leicester City, first permanently and then on a season-long loan with an optional view of a permanent deal. Leicester, however, pulled out of the deal citing regulatory issues.[8]

On 18 January 2011, Zayatte was allowed to return to France on compassionate grounds, with Hull City retaining his playing registration in order to control any future compensation issues.[9] On 24 January 2011, it was announced that he had signed a contract with Turkish club Konyaspor.[10]

On 27 May 2011, Zayatte signed a three-year contract with İstanbul BB.

On 2 August 2013, Zayatte signed a two-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday subject to FIFA clearance.[11] He scored his first goal for the club in the 17 August 2013 derby against Leeds United, which finished 1–1.[12] Zayatte was one of 11 players released by Sheffield Wednesday at the end of the 2014–15 season.[13]

International career

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Zayatte in action for Guinea in 2006

He played with the national team in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team reached the quarter-finals.[14]

International goals

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# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 12 October 2008 Stade 28 Septembre, Conakry, Guinea   Kenya 3–2 Win 2010 WC qualification
2. 11 February 2009 Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, Cameroon   Cameroon 3–1 Loss Friendly
3. 11 August 2010 Stade Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Marignane, France   Mali 0–2 Win Friendly
4. 5 September 2010 Addis Ababa Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   Ethiopia 1–4 Win 2012 ANC qualification

References

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  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 451. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Fearless One". City Magazine. No. 38. Hull City A.F.C. October 2008. p. 40.
  3. ^ "Guinea Defender Trains With Toon". Newcastle United F.C. 29 August 2008. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  4. ^ "Hull beat rivals to sign Zayatte". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Hull City agree fee for Zayatte". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  6. ^ Hughes, Ian (25 October 2008). "West Brom 0–3 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Zayatte Pens Permanent Deal". Hull City A.F.C. 23 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  8. ^ "Leicester City end interest in Hull's Kamil Zayatte". BBC Sport. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Zayatte Leaves Tigers". Hull City A.F.C. 17 January 2011. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Former Hull defender Kamil Zayatte moves to Turkey". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  11. ^ "Kamil Zayatte joins Sheffield Wednesday on free transfer". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  12. ^ "Could Have Been Three". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 17 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday (Sky Sports)". SkySports. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  14. ^ https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2015/02/01/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/ghana/guinea/1994425 /
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