Aly Cissokho in profile
Liverpool today completed the signing of Aly Cissokho on a season-long loan from Valencia, subject to the completion of paperwork – and here we take a closer look at the full-back's career so far.
Brendan Rodgers moved to bolster his defensive options with a season-long loan deal for Aly Cissokho in August 2013.
The French left-back arrived from Valencia to spend the 2013-14 campaign at Anfield, boasting a proven pedigree at the highest level of European football.
Cissokho was born in the French city of Blois in September 1987 and spent his formative years representing various local teams at youth level before joining Gueugnon, where he made his senior debut.
After a little over a year in the first team, Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal swooped to secure his services in the summer of 2008.
Following an enterprising half-season in his new climes, Portugal giants FC Porto wasted little time in moving to land the rangy defender in January 2009.
It was at the Estadio do Dragao where Cissokho really began to flourish, helping his new side to a league and cup double. He also made his Champions League debut as Porto reached the quarter-finals of the competition.
However, after just a season in Portugal, he was on the move again that summer as he returned to France to join title-holders Lyon.
Cissokho slotted instantly into his new club, and even lined up against Liverpool home and away in the group stage of the 2009-10 Champions League.
Lyon went all the way to the last four in the tournament that season, with the defender starting every one of the 14 games.
His performances at the Stade de Gerland enhanced his growing reputation as one of Europe's finest left-backs and, such was his form, a call-up to the French national team subsequently followed and he earned a first - and to date only - cap against Norway in 2010.
Cissokho also helped Lyon to scoop the Coupe de France in 2012 before a move to La Liga followed as Valencia sealed a deal for his services.
Then, after 30 appearances in Spain, another moved beckoned - this time to Anfield as Rodgers strengthened his defensive options with a 12-month loan deal.