#8 Steve Mandanda – Congo DR
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Steve Mandanda was born in 1985 in Kinshasa, now the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He signed his first senior contract at Le Havre in 2005 after four years in the club's youth set-up. Steve Mandanda has three younger brothers, all of whom are goalkeepers with divided loyalties: Parfait, goalkeeper of Charleroi and Congolese international; Riffi, goalkeeper of AC Ajaccio and France U-16; and Ever, goalkeeper of Lusitanos Saint-Maur.
After having played for the France under-21 side at the European Championships, the now 31-year old goalkeeper, chose to play for the French national football team rather than Congo, the country of his birth. For this very reason he earned the nickname "Frenchie" amongst his relatives.
Securing a move to Marseille after a successful loan spell, it did not take much time for the 6’1’’ shot-stopper to solidify his place in the side, becoming the club captain in process and going on to record over 350 appearances for the club before his contract expired at the end of last season.
Ridden with goalkeeping issues, Alan Pardew wasted no time in securing the services of Mandanda, expected to start as the new number 1 at Crystal Palace next season.
