A powerful central defender with outstanding leadership qualities, Mamadou Sakho rose to prominence with Paris Saint-Germain FC during the 2010/11 season, during which he made his senior debut for France and was voted the Ligue 1 young player of the year.

• Born in Paris as one of seven children to parents of Senegalese descent, he joined PSG's youth academy at the age of 12, where he was converted from a striker to a defender.

• Made his senior debut the day after his 17th birthday in a UEFA Cup tie against AEK Athens FC and, remarkably, was handed the captaincy by coach Paul Le Guen for his Ligue 1 debut the following season against Valenciennes FC.

• Played the full 90 minutes of PSG's League Cup final win against RC Lens in 2008 and was given increased game time during the following campaign before cementing his place at the heart of the back line under new boss Antoine Kombouaré in 2009/10 and winning the Coupe de France.

• A French international in every age group from Under-16 to U21 level, he made his senior debut on 17 November 2010 when he appeared as a half-time substitute against England in a friendly at Wembley.

• Scored a career-best four goals as PSG finished fourth in the 2010/11 Ligue 1 season.