There’s always that hope that when you sign a player from one of Europe’s top leagues that you are going to get a bit of a baller. It often turns out the opposite.
For Leeds United precedence of this came from when they loaned Brazilian international Roque Junior from AC Milan in 2003. Five games that just didn’t really work out; five games that still leave Leeds United fans a little aghast.
Once bitten, twice shy they say, but then there’s the case of Habib Habibou and Leeds United loaning the Zulte Waregem, and former PSG youngster, back in January 2013. In total, on his half-season loan, Habibou made a total of just four appearances – gaining just 78 minutes of on-field action.
However, a disappointing spell at Leeds has been replaced with some degree of promise, promise that saw French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais pay £2.1 million for I’m back in September 2014. The one-cap Central African Republic international made 33 appearances for Stade Rennais, scoring four times and providing one assist.
His form picked up after missing more than half the 2016/17 Ligue 1 season through injury and non-selection, with Stade Rennais sending him out on loan to Ligue 2 side RC Lens. Whilst dropping down a division, Habibou found his shooting boots, scoring six goals in 13 appearances – these coming at the rate of a goal per 124 minutes of game time.
Now French media site Foot Mercato say that the former Leeds United flop turned Ligue 2 hitman is on trial at Sky Bet Championship returnees Bolton Wanderers “until Wednesday.” Foot Mercato go on to say that the hope is that Habibou can “show all his qualities and finally persuade Bolton to bet on him.”
