Olivier Kapo

Narcisse-Olivier Kapo-Obou (born 27 September 1980 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire), known as Olivier Kapo, is a French footballer who last played for Ekstraklasa club Korona Kielce. He plays as a left winger.

Early career

Kapo began his professional career with Auxerre in 1999. He joined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2004, but he struggled to adapt to life in Turin and did not play much as he was behind Pavel Nedvěd in the left midfield role. As a result, he was loaned to Monaco for the 2005–06 season.

When Juventus were forcibly relegated to Serie B, Kapo returned to Turin, but went back on loan due to the abundance of midfielders. He signed for Spanish La Liga club Levante, scoring five goals in 32 appearances.

Birmingham City

With Birmingham City, 2007

Kapo signed for Birmingham City on 29 June 2007 for a fee of £3 million. He claimed to have rejected other offers to sign for the club, suggesting his style of play was better suited to English football. He scored on his Premier League debut, against Chelsea in a 3–2 defeat on 12 August 2007.

Wigan Athletic

Kapo signed for Wigan Athletic on 16 July 2008, signing a three-year deal for a fee reported as £3.5 million, a move which reunited him with former manager Steve Bruce. He scored his first goal for Wigan in a 4–1 League Cup win over Ipswich Town on 24 September 2008, and his first league goal in a 2–1 defeat to Chelsea on 28 February 2009. On 8 January 2010, Kapo moved to Boulogne on a six-month loan deal, and left Wigan by mutual consent in August 2010.

Celtic

On 4 November 2010, Kapo signed for Celtic on an 18-month deal. He was allocated the number 77 jersey. He stated he turned down better money from other clubs to sign for the Glasgow side, including an offer from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. He was encouraged to join the club after consulting with his friend, ex-Celtic player Jean-Joël Perrier-Doumbé. Kapo made his debut against St Johnstone at home in the Scottish Premier League as a second-half substitute, hitting the bar and then assisting the second goal in a 2–0 victory. He was released from his Celtic contract in January 2011, although the player claimed he walked out on the club because they had unilaterally changed the terms of his contract.

Al Ahli SC

In February 2011, Kapo signed for Qatar club Al Ahli SC on a five-month contract. He scored twice to help Al Ahli to only their second win of the season, beating Qatar SC 3–1. After only five appearances and two league goals, he terminates his contract with the club of the Persian Gulf during the following summer.

Return to Auxerre

He signed an 18-month contract with former club Auxerre in January 2012 after a few weeks spent training with the club.

Levadiakos FC

When his contract expired, he signed a two-year deal with Superleague Greece club Levadiakos.

In September 2014, the ex-player of Levadiakos F.C., stated in French media that "in Greek football everything is corrupted, mafia-controlled, while FIFA and UEFA simply don't care".

Kapo won nine caps for France. He represented his country in the 2003 Confederations Cup, scoring against New Zealand, and was a substitute in the final as France beat Cameroon. He has also scored in friendlies against Egypt and Serbia and Montenegro. Kapo won his last cap in 2004, but after signing for Celtic in November 2010, he outlined his hopes for a recall to the international fold.

Club

Auxerre

• Coupe de France: 2002–03

International

France

• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2003