Togo's Adebayor takes flight

Standing an impressive 1.90 metres tall, Togo's Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor has been Arsene Wenger's choice for Arsenal's starter squad in many match.

Adebayor (21) has signed for Arsenal from AS Monaco on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee at January. He was the top scorer in the entire African Zone in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers with 11 goals, helping Togo reach the World Cup Finals for the first time in the country's history.

Emmanuel has been a regular in the AS Monaco team over the past three seasons and was part of the squad which came runners-up in the 2004 UEFA Champions League. Before joining AS Monaco, Adebayor spent two seasons at French side Metz, where he made his first team debut for the club in Ligue 1 at the tender age of 17.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "Emmanuel Adebayor is a great addition to our squad. He has shown in his performances with Monaco and Togo that he will add great quality to our offensive game. He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs. We are looking forward to him joining the squad when he returns from the African Nations Cup."

Emmanuel Adebayor said: "This is a great day for me. I am joining Arsenal, one of Europe's leading teams, with a squad containing so many great players. I am looking forward to working very hard for the team and I hope I can give the Arsenal fans a lot of enjoyment in the future."

Born in 1984, Adebayor was spotted by a scout from FC Metz at the age of 15 playing for Togo at a tournament in Sweden. Since moving to France, he has not looked back. Making his professional debut aged barely 18, he played 10 games in his first season (scoring two goals) but was unable to prevent his formative club being relegated. As it turned out, Metz's relegation proved something of a godsend for the young Togolese, who took full advantage of this spell at a lower level to impose himself. In 34 matches played, he netted 13 times, making a name for himself in French football in the process.

His goals ensured Metz's return to the top flight, and he was lured to Monaco at the start of the 2003/04 season. Alongside the likes of Fernando Morientes, Dado Prso, and Ludovic Giuly, he continued his apprenticeship. As Monaco went head to head with Lyon for the French title, the youngster chipped in with eight goals for Didier Deschamp's charges.


Nonda the benchmark

The icing on the cake last season came in Monaco's fabulous Champions League campaign that was eventually ended by FC Porto in the final. The highlight for the young African was taking the field in the historic quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid. "It was absolutely amazing. Six years ago, when watching the World Cup Final on TV at home, I said to myself how unbelievable it would be to play against Zidane. But in football, anything really is possible. You just have to never give up and keep on working hard. When you believe in yourself, it always pays off in the end."

Blessed with lightning pace, excellent ball-shielding and dribbling skills, a highly developed sense of teamwork and all-important ruthlessness in front of goal, Adebayor has begun to look every inch the complete attacker this season. After 32 matches, he has already chalked up eight goals, including two in Europe. The ever-humble young man offers the following explanation for his successful development: "Shabani Nonda helped me a lot when I first came to Monaco. He’s like my big brother. When he was badly injured, he set me the goal of replacing him." A better role model would surely be hard to find.

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Emmanuel Adebayor - player factfile

Following the news that Emmanuel Adebayor has agreed to join Arsenal Football Club, we've put together a factfile on the young striker...

- Made his first team debut for Metz in French Ligue 1 at the age of 17.
- UEFA Champions League runner-up with AS Monaco in 2004.
- Togolese Footballer of the Year in 2004.
- Finished top scorer for the African Zone in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers with 11 goals, helping Togo reach the Finals.
- Member of the Togo squad for the African Nations Cup in Egypt.
- Has already featured in this year's UEFA Champions League, playing for AS Monaco in the Third Qualifying Round against Real Betis.


PLAYER PROFILE

Full name: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor
Nationality: Togolese
Born: 26th February 1984. Lome, Togo
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 190cm / 75kg
Previous Clubs: Metz
2001/02: 10 appearances (2 goals)
2002/03: 34 (13)

AS Monaco
2003/04: 31 (8)
2004/05: 34 (9)
2005/06: 18 (4)
Position: Forward
Transfer details: Long term contract, undisclosed fee
International Honours: Togo
2004 - Present: 13 appearances (11 goals)

(Source: FIFAworldcup.com & Arsenal.com)