Cheikhou Kouyate

Cheikhou Kouyate (born 21 December 1989) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder or centre-back for Premier League club Crystal Palace and captains the Senegal national team.

Kouyate moved from Senegal to Belgium in 2006, having been offered a youth contract at RWDM Brussels. After breaking into the first team, he went on to play just ten appearances before moving to Anderlecht aged 19. In June 2014, he joined West Ham of the Premier League. He represented the Senegal national team at the 2012 Olympics.

Club Career

Early career

Kouyate began his footballing career in 1996 in his hometown with ASC Yego Dakar and was scouted by RWDM Brussels in September 2006. RWDM Brussels then signed the player in January the following year. He went on to play ten league appearances for the first team between 2007 and 2008.

RSC Anderlecht

As Kouyate turned 19, he left Brussels because his former employers did not pay him three months' worth of wages. He subsequently moved to Belgian rivals Anderlecht on a four-year deal for a free transfer. After a loan to KV Kortrijk, he returned to Anderlecht. Kouyate went on to make 153 league appearances for Anderlecht, scoring four goals in five seasons at the club. He won the 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14 league titles as well as the 2010–11, 2012–13 and 2013–14 Belgian Super Cups.

West Ham United

2014–15 season

On 18 June 2014, Kouyate signed for West Ham United on a four-year contract. He made his West Ham debut on 16 August 2014 in a 1–0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. His performance was described as "impressive" by the BBC. The following week, manager Sam Allardyce compared him to ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. On 28 December, Kouyate scored his first West Ham goal in a 1–2 defeat to Arsenal. His second goal of the season came on 8 February 2015 in a 1–1 draw with Manchester United. His performance

This page also has a version in other languages :  Шейху Куяте (russian)