Didier Ya Konan joined Hannover 96 in 2009 after enjoying two succesful seasons in Norway's top flight
Didier Ya Konan joined Hannover 96 in 2009 after enjoying two succesful seasons in Norway's top flight

From Abidjan to the AWD Arena

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Didier Ya Konan was born in the port city of Abidjan in Ivory Coast, on May 22 1984. He began his football career at Olympic Sport Abobo, before joining hometown club ASEC Mimosas in 2003.

His consistently good performances helped the team to several domestic titles, but it was not until 2006 that he really shot to prominence with some dazzling displays in the African Champions League.

From then on his career took a rapid upward trajectory. In October of the same year he made his international debut against Gabon and two months later he signed for Norwegian outfit Rosenborg BK, going on to play five times for them in the group stage of the 2007/08 Champions League.

Ya Konan joined Hannover 96 in August 2009 and his commitment, team spirit and eye for goal quickly established him as a fans' favourite. In his first five seasons at the 96ers the forward made 125 appearances and scored 39 goals in all competitions. Despite struggling with injuries for a large part of the 2013/14 season, Ya Konan is capable of using his powerful frame to good effect and was rewarded for his efforts during the most recent campaign when he was named in the Ivory Coast's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.