Mahamadou Diarra

Nationality: Mali

Position: Midfielder

LaLiga clubs: Real Madrid

LaLiga games/goals: 90/3

Diarra was top of the wish-list of the Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello when he was signed from French side Lyon, with Manchester United also desperate to bring on board the defensive midfielder.

He quickly settled into the side and in his first season played in 33 of the club’s 38 LaLiga matches, and scored a scored a crucial header late on against Mallorca with the teams tied