Djimi Traoré

Djimi Traoré (born 1 March 1980) is a former professional footballer and was an assistant coach for the Seattle Sounders. He played as a left back or centre back. Born in France, Traoré was a member of the Malian national team and at club level, he played for Laval, Liverpool – with whom he won multiple honours including the 2004–05 Champions League – Lens, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Rennes, Birmingham City, Monaco, Marseille and Seattle.

Liverpool
Traoré started his career at home club Laval before moving on to Liverpool. He made his debut for the Reds on 14 September 1999 in a 5-1 win over Hull City in the League Cup.

In the 2001-02 season, Traoré was loaned to Lens for the season, during which he made 19 appearances. He returned to Anfield for the 2002-03 season, scoring his first (and what turned out to be his only) Liverpool goal in the UEFA Cup against Steaua București.

Traoré spent the 2003–04 season, manager Gérard Houllier's last at the club, in the reserve team, of which he was captain, and almost left Liverpool for their Merseyside neighbours Everton on the 2004 transfer deadline day, but was convinced to remain at Liverpool by their new manager Rafael Benítez.

The defender's career appeared to have been revitalised by Benítez: While the defender had appeared poor positionally, and seemed reluctant to attack, particularly during the 2004–05 season, he showed more willingness to support the left winger, as well as improving his positional play.

Traoré scored an own goal in the third round of the 2004–05 FA Cup against then Championship side Burnley, as he attempted a turn and drag-back within his own six-yard box. It turned out to be the only goal of the game and handed Burnley a 1–0 victory over their Premiership opponents.

Traoré remained a regular at Liverpool, and eventually made the starting line-up as Liverpool qualified for the 2005 Champions League Final against Milan. After conceding the free kick that led to Paolo Maldini's goal in the opening minute, In the second half his play improved, and a goalline clearance to deny Andriy Shevchenko a likely winner contributed to his winning a Champions League medal as Liverpool fought back from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 and beat Milan 3–2 on penalties.

In the 2005–06 season, Traoré found his first team appearances limited, with John Arne Riise and Stephen Warnock also starting regularly at left back. He was an unused substitute as Liverpool beat West Ham United on penalties to win the 2006 FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. This was to be his last season with Liverpool, and, although he had played some part in Liverpool's pre-season in 2006, he was sold to Charlton Athletic for £2 million on 8 August 2006.

Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth
Traoré was sent off on his Addicks debut on 19 August, after receiving two yellow cards, the latter of which was for preventing a free kick being taken. This was the fifth time in eight seasons a Charlton player had been sent off in the first game of the season. On 16 December, he conceded a penalty against Liverpool, his former club, for a tackle on Jermaine Pennant. He was soon deemed surplus to requirements at Charlton. After only half a season at the Valley, Traoré was allowed to leave the club by new manager Alan Pardew, joining Portsmouth.

Birmingham City (loan)
On 10 February 2009, Traoré joined Birmingham City, then of the Football League Championship, on a three-month emergency loan. He sustained a hamstring injury later the same month, and finally made his debut for the club in April as a late substitute against Watford.

Monaco
On 18 June 2009, Traore signed a two-year deal with Monaco, moving from Portsmouth after his loan period at Birmingham expired.

Marseille
On 18 August 2011, Traoré signed a one-year contract with Ligue 1 club Marseille. He was an unused substitute as Marseille won the 2012 Coupe de la Ligue Final, and left the club at the end of the season.

Seattle Sounders
On 23 February 2013, Traoré signed with MLS club Seattle Sounders after a successful preseason trial. He scored his first goal for the club in spectacular fashion, a 30 yd volley off the underside of the crossbar, during a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Tigres. Traoré's goal equalized their Champions League match with Tigres 2–2 on aggregate, and preceded Eddie Johnson's 75th-minute game-winning goal, allowing the Sounders to become the first MLS club to eliminate a Mexican side in the history of the CONCACAF Champions League. Traoré's first ever league goal came on 8 May 2013 as the Sounders beat Sporting Kansas City 1–0 in Kansas City. The goal was a game-winning volley in the 94th minute to give the Sounders just their second win of the 2013 season in their first eight games. Traoré retired at the end of the 2014 season. Traoré was an assistant coach with the team until 12 August 2021.

Honours
Liverpool
 * FA Cup: 2005–06
 * Football League Cup: 2002–03; runner-up 2004–05
 * FA Charity Shield: 2001
 * UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
 * FIFA Club World Championship runner-up: 2005

Marseille
 * Coupe de la Ligue: 2011–12

Seattle Sounders
 * MLS Supporters' Shield: 2014