Duo link up with the Rams on week long trial.
Derby County can confirm that Mali international Kalifa Cissé and Tottenham Hotspur forward Simon Dawkins have today joined the club on trial.The duo took part in their first training session with the squad this morning, with Head Coach Steve McClaren set to assess the pair over the next seven days.
Cissé, who is currently a free agent, began his career as a trainee in France at Ligue 1 side Toulouse, before moving on to GD Estoril in Portugal in 2004. It was there that he caught the attention of Portuguese Liga club Boavista, for whom he signed for a year later.
His impressive displays for Boavista led to a move to then Premier League side Reading, as he put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal in May 2007, for a fee of around £1 million.
Cisse made his Premier League debut for Reading against Chelsea in August 2007 and netted his first goal in England four months later, in the Royals’ enthralling 6-4 defeat to Tottenham.
In July 2010, Cisse linked up with Steve Coppell for the second time in his career when he agreed terms on a two-year deal at Bristol City, for another substantial fee.
After 61 league appearances at two goals at Ashton Gate, Cissé signed with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer in the United States ahead of the 2013 MLS season.
Cisse – who can play at both centre-back and defensive-midfield - made six league and two US Open Cup appearances for the Revolution, before leaving the MLS outfit by mutual consent in August, after expressing a desire to return to England.
Elsewhere, forward Dawkins joined the Tottenham Academy in July 2004 before linking up with League One side Leyton Orient on loan ahead of the 2008/09 season.
Last season Dawkins agreed terms on a loan move to Premier League side Aston Villa on the final day of the January transfer window, and went on to feature for the Villans against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Before his spell at Villa Park, the 25-year-old spent the previous two campaigns on loan at Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes, where he netted 14 goals.
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