Didier Ya Konan

Didier Ya Konan (born February 25, 1984 in Côte d'Ivoire) is a soccer midfielder who plays for Rosenborg B.K. in Trondheim, Norway and the Côte d'Ivoire national football team.

Regarded as a big talent in Ivorian football, he began his career at homeland club ASEC Abidjan, which has produced players such as Kolo Touré and Didier Zokora.

He was called up to the Cote d'Ivoire national football team for the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon on the 5th October 2006, along with fellow ASEC player Bakary Soro.

Ya Konan was the joint top scorer in the African Champions League competition this season, with ASEC eventually falling in the semi finals, to Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Following ASECs Champions League defeat to Al Ahly, it was reported that the Egyptians, who eventually won the competition, had made an offer of US$500,000 for Ya Konan's services. The offer was, however, refused, as the club reportedly wanted to sell him to a European side.

In November 2006 it was reported that he, and fellow ASEC team mate Soro, had been granted trials with Premiership club Charlton Athletic F.C.. However, doubts have been cast over a move to England due to both players not having full caps for their country at this point.

In December 2006 he signed for Rosenborg B.K], for a 3-year contract in the Norwegian Premier League, after being linked with Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax Amsterdam, French side FC Nantes Atlantique and Egyptian club El Zamalek.

At Rosenborg, he plays alongside his compatriot and fellow midfielder Abdoulrazak Traoré.

In January 2007, Ya Konan was nominated for the Ivorian footballer of the Year award for 2006, which was eventually won by Chelsea F.C. striker Didier Drogba. He was one of two homeland based players at the time to be nominated, the other being former ASEC team mate Bakary Soro.

In March 2007 he was one of four players to receive a late call-up for the Ivorian's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar national football team in Antananarivo, due to injuries to other members of the squad.

Ya Konan was named as the best player in the Norwegian Premier League for the 2006/07 season, no mean feat considering he only played half the season in the country.

In August 2007 Ya Konan got on the scoresheet in Rosenborg's 2-0 UEFA Champions League qualifying victory against Finland outfit Tampere United to take them into the competitions group stages for the 2007/08 season. In the group they will meet with English Premier League side Chelsea F.C. who field Ya Konan's Ivorian international teammates Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.