Despite having represented France at youth level, Sebastien Bassong’s commitment to the Cameroon cause cannot be denied, as he himself stated earlier in his career: “Even though I was born in France, my heart beats for ‘The Lions’. There are no two ways about it: I’m Cameroonian.”<\/P>
A graduate of the famed Clairefontaine academy, the gifted defender cut his teeth at FC Metz, where he established himself in the first team following their relegation from Ligue 1 in 2005\/06. Snapped up by Newcastle United in the summer of 2008, the left-sided centre-back proved a revelation in his first Premier League campaign despite his new club failing to hang onto their top-flight status.<\/P>
Subsequently signed by north London club Tottenham Hotspur, initially as cover for Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King, the England pair’s frequent injury absences have given him the opportunity to flourish at White Hart Lane. A key member of the Cameroon set-up since making his debut in June 2009, Bassong will be determined to continue his rise to prominence come the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.<\/P>","DAF09C52CF6076BDF21F9C2EFDD9E43065C5B3AC13FF9DA2":"1","B628C0FB460378A51A233D645651DF2F":"","DAF09C52CF6076BD5E585110E27D1A5D":"0","95081CC600C137A3ECD07E1A2BAC6047":"4","e_index":7};