Traore keen on permanent Birmingham City switch

Apr 21 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

“I have been here a few months now and I can say to you that I like it here, my girlfriend likes it, we like Birmingham, it is a big city, and my son as well is enjoying it.”

Traore was heralded as one of the game’s most sought-after talents when he joined Gerrard Houllier’s Liverpool from Laval in 1999. Milan, PSG and Lazio were all after him.

He made 140 appearances for the Reds in a somewhat chequered Anfield career.

He lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005 following the amazing comeback against Milan.

But he was in and out of the side for the most part and will never be able to live down his bizarre own goal at Burnley in an FA Cup tie that same year when he tried to turn and execute a drag back inside the six-yard box.

Iain Dowie’s Charlton Athletic paid £2million for him in August 2006, he moved to Portsmouth for £1million six months later and was loaned out to Rennes before Blues.

Blues are reputedly paying Pompey just £100-a-week for Traore if he doesn’t appear in the first team.