Premier League signing with 44 caps is one Birmingham City would rather forget about: View | OneFootball

The full-back arrived after an impressive World Cup, but couldn't repeat it for the Blues

The 2002/03 season was certainly a significant one in the history of Birmingham City.

Following their promotion the year before, the Blues found themselves playing in the top-flight of English football for the first time since it had been re-branded as the Premier League.

As a result, there will have been plenty excitement around the club for a number of reasons during that particular campaign.

One such aspect of that period that ought to have generated plenty of interest, is the signings brought into boost Steve Bruce's side that season.

Among those to arrive at Birmingham during the 2002/03 campaign, was a player who should have been a particularly interesting addition, following his exploits at the World Cup in the previous summer in Japan and South Korea in the form of Ferdinand Coly.

Birmingham City swooped for Senegal star Ferdinand Coly in early 2003

Early in January 2003, Ferdinand Coly completed a move to St Andrew's from French side RC Lens.

The right-back joined having spent the last three-and-a-half years in France's top flight, where he had been part of some eye-catching success.

During his time there, Coly had helped Lens to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in his debut campaign with the club - they would also secure a runners-up spot in the French top division during the 2001/02 season.

Coly also caught the eye on the international stage, winning 44 senior international caps for Senegal, with 2002 being an especially impressive year in that respect.

In that time, he was part of a squad that finished as runners-up in the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the year.

Then, in the summer of 2002, Coly was an ever-present as Senegal reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup- that run of course, included a famous win over defending champions France in the opening game.

As a result, the right-back arrived at Birmingham with plenty of pedigree and reason for optimism, although things simply did not work out in that way.

Ferdinand Coly move did not work out for Birmingham City at all

Shortly after his arrival at St. Andrew's, Coly was put straight into the starting lineup for the Blues, as they faced Fulham in the FA Cup.

However, despite the fact he was up against a returning Louis Saha, who had just spent several months out with injury, the right-back struggled to cope with the Frenchman's pace.

That led to a disappointing debut for Coly, with his new side being knocked out after a 3-1 defeat.

Bruce though, would persist with the Senegal international the following week, as Arsenal made the trip to St Andrew's.

Again though, things would not go well for the full-back, who was booked before being substituted after 68 minutes with Birmingham 3-0 down to the Gunners, who eventually ran out 4-0 winners.

Little more than a week after he had joined the club, that would prove to be the last time that Coly was seen on a pitch for the Blues.

Indeed, the right-back was not even named on the bench again for the club in the remainder of the campaign, as they eventually finished 13th in the final standings.

There was another twist though, as despite the fact he had only been on loan with the club, Birmingham had been obliged to keep him even after his loan contract expired in June 2003.

That was an agreement that had been set to run until the right-back had found a new club. In the end though, it would be mutually terminated in August 2003, with Coly still looking for another team.

It was a situation that highlighted just how little things had worked out for either party involved in this move.

Interestingly, after his time with the Blues had come to an end, Coly would move to Italy, where he he has spells as a regular in the top-flight for Perugia and Parma.

Given how his time at St Andrew's worked out, many fans of the club may well wonder why he didn't show his ability to play at that level when he was in the Premier League.

All of that frustration means that the deal to bring Ferdinand Coly to the club, is surely one that anyone associated with Birmingham City will surely want to forget.