Personal Information
Date of Birth | August 5, 1985 |
Salomon Kalou: A Brief Biography
Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays as a striker for Lille. Kalou began his career in local club Mimosas before plying his trade in Europe. Kalou signed for Feyenoord Rotterdam in 2003 and the following year he was loaned to Feyenoord\'s \"satellite club\"Excelsior Rotterdam. During his time at Feyenoord, Salomon scored 35 goals in 67 league appearances for the Rotterdam club, and also won an individual award when he won the Johan Cruijff Award in 2005 for being the most promising young talent of that season. Kalou moved to Chelsea on 30 May 2006 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be approximately £9m. Kalou scored his first Premier League goal in December 2006 in Chelsea\'s 3–2 victory over Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium. He thereafter scored goals against Newcastle United, West Ham United, Olympiacos, Derby County and Fulham contributing to Chelsea\'s success. On 12 October 2009, Kalou signed a new 3-year contract extension with Chelsea, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2012. Kalou scored Chelsea\'s third of eight goals on the last day of the season against Wigan Athletic. Following the game, Kalou won his first ever Premier League winners\' medal as Chelsea were crowned champions. On 21 April, Kalou made his 250th appearance for Chelsea in a 0–0 draw away to rivals Arsenal. On 7 July 2012, it was confirmed that Kalou will sign for Lille on a free transfer after being released by Chelsea at the end of his contract. His first Champions League goal for the club came in their 6-1 humbling defeat to Bayern Munich on 7 November.