Henri Camara
Henri Camara (born 10 May 1977) is a Senegalese former professional footballer who played as a striker. Starting his career in the late 1990s, he went on to play professionally in France, Switzerland, Scotland, England, and Greece before retiring in 2018. A full international between 1999 and 2008, he won 99 caps for the Senegal national team and scored 29 goals. He represented his nation at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he scored two goals as Senegal reached the quarter-finals. Club career Early career Camara was born in Dakar to a Guinean father and a Senegalese mother. He began his career in France with Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (1998–1999), before playing for Swiss clubs Neuchâtel Xamax (1999–2000), and Grasshopper Club Zürich, where he won the Swiss Championship in 2001. He then returned to France with Sedan but sought a new move when they were relegated in 2003. Wolverhampton Wanderers Camara joined newly promoted English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2003 in a four-year deal for £1.5million. He was a regular first-choice player, capable of creating goalscoring opportunities, but often guilty of erratic finishing that left him with just one goal from 23 games, this goal being the crucial winner as Wolves came back from 3 down at half time to beat relegation rivals Leicester City 4–3. Towards the end of the season, he found his scoring touch and struck 6 times in the final 9 games. While this could not prevent relegation, he was named the fans' Player of the Year. However, Camara was unwilling to play at a lower level and did not turn up for pre-season training. His future was further unsettled by a bid from Phil Gartside, Bolton Wanderers' chairman, which Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey rejected. He eventually returned to the club but only to negotiate a loan move away. Celtic and Southampton loans Camara's route out of Wolves came in the form of Celtic, who paid £1.5million to take him on loan for the 2004–05 season. His time in Scotland was disappointing, though, as he scored eight goals from twelve starts and six substitute appearances. Camara claimed in the press that he would replace Henrik Larsson, who had just left the club. He also requested Larsson's squad number (7) which he had had at a previous club as well, but was instead given number 27. The loan deal was terminated during the January 2005 transfer window despite being contracted for longer, as he moved back to England with Southampton. Here, he suffered relegation again as the Saints made the drop on the final day of the season. Wigan Athletic Camara finally found a new permanent club when he was signed by Premiership newcomers Wigan Athletic in August 2005 in a three-year deal for £3million. In 2006, his contract was extended to 2009 due to his outstanding goal scoring form. He had a great time playing with Jason Roberts as they linked well. He again found himself in a Premier League relegation