“Zenden has the profile we were looking for in every respect,” declared José Anigo from the training camp at Capbreton.

Is the signing of Zenden a transfer market coup?
José Anigo: “Yes, it is. He is a player who will bring to the side the balance it was looking for last season when we had an under-strength left side. Taiwo was our only real left-sided player. With Benoît Cheyrou and now Zenden, things will be better. He is the ideal player for us, with an international standing befitting a club playing Champions League football.”

He has played at big clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool and even Chelsea. He is a Netherlands international. How would you define him?
José Anigo: “As someone who has a lot of experience that his team-mates can benefit from. He was playing in the Champions League final just one month ago. He is ideal for us. He speaks French, which is no small detail. Also, I believe he is a winner and that he knows how to make this mentality rub off on those around him.”

Also, he was at the end of his contract with Liverpool…
José Anigo: “Yes, he was a free player who had escaped the notice of many clubs who thought he would be impossible to get. But we pulled it off because we managed to keep it secret right up until the end. That made things much easier for us.