is it just me or does nicho look like he's offering everyone out in this pic?
http://www.swindontownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/a5/38/0,,10341~2767013,00.jpganyway, here's my profile for everyone's favourite frenchman...
Born to French-Algerian parents in some French town that nobody has heard of, Sofiene Zaaboub was dubbed the next Zinedine Zidane by many of his peers...until they saw him play football. Nevertheless, former indie popsters St. Etienne took pity on the stumpy Zaaboub and offered him a youth contract on the premise that over the course of his five year contract, he would put together a stage version of Camus' seminal existentialist novel
La Peste, believing his Algerian roots would give him a deep-rooted empathy for the novel. Sadly, despite showing early signs of promise his progress wavered and in 2003 he parted ways with Sarah Cracknell and co.
Having secured a trial with Juventus who subsequently offered him a six month contract, he decided instead to opt for the safety of mediocrity and signed for Modena instead. Sofi later went on to play for at least one club in every European country, becoming the modern day equivalent of someone who travels around a lot.
Zaaboub became Sturrock's first signing for the Town having been on trial at Hillsborough prior to Sturrock's departure. As a consequence of his trial period at Swindon, the mercurial Frenchman successfully achieved the proud record of having a trial at every professional football club this side of Azerbaijan.
Originally signed on a short-term deal in order to assess how contagious his leprosy would prove - Sofi wears gloves at all times to hide his deformed leperous hands - and training in a small leper colony set up at the club's training ground in Wanborough, it was deemed that through years of heavy drinking the majority of the Town squad had developed an immunity towards leprosy. Unfortunately, one squad member showed signs of the disease and was promptly sent north to Hartlepool United.
Subsequently he put in a string of impressive performances on the left-side of midfield and endeared himself to the management and fans alike, the former offering him a long-term contract. Over the course of the next twelve months, Sofiene reverted to type and achieved the accolade of Most Frustrating Footballer Ever. One occassion caused great alarm when in an away match at Port Vale, Sofi took one of his gloves off - this resulted in a near riot as away fans and players alike ducked for cover whilst screaming abuse at him.
Unfortunately there are signs that his leprosy is taking it's toll on his performances with an increasing number of lacklustre appearances in recent times, often culminating in the Frenchman collapsing on the floor everytime he tries to make a run.
