REARED in the renowned Clarefontaine academy which has spawned a succession of world beaters, yet plucked from the Pro-Star Bosman bounce match organised for clubless hopefuls by footballing Mr Fixit, Raymond Sparkes. The career of Mickael Pizzo, Kilmarnock's latest French fancy, has certainly not followed the conventional route.
Shining brightly with Red Star, the 22-year-old's talents were showcased not with the boys from Belgrade but rather their poor Parisian namesakes from the French second division. Nevertheless, Pizzo's performances have suitably impressed the French Football Federation, with regular representation at under-21 level.
Had he not been offered the opportunity to sample the delights of the SPL, Pizzo would have been on his way to Canada for an under-23 tournament in which his country are strong favourites to triumph but he has gladly forsaken the long-haul flight for some Channel-hopping.
Homesickness will not be a problem, with French the second language in the Rugby Park dressing room courtesy of a Gallic colony which also includes Frederic Dindeleux, Christophe Cocard, and Jerome Vareille.
Cocard was a particular favourite of an impressionable Pizzo during his formative years, when the cultured playmaker plied his trade with some distinction at Auxerre, and from fretting over finding gainful employment after his contract with Red Star ended, the evidently excited midfielder is now agog at the prospect of teaming up with a boyhood hero in preparation for the start of the Scottish season and, even more unbelievably, a UEFA Cup campaign.
''It was not the first thing on my mind when Kilmarnock showed their interest in me but it is something to look forward to,'' he said, requiring the translating services of Dindeleux only sporadically. Certainly, Kilmarnock's place in the competition's pre-qualifying round - and superior status as SPL members - helped persuade Pizzo to head further north despite admiring glances being made by both West Bromwich Albion and Huddersfield Town in the English lower leagues.
''My ambition was always to play in France and then come to Britain - England or Scotland - but of course it helped that there were already some French players here.''
The oversized No.2 shirt bearing his name exacerbated Pizzo's flimsy frame but he has learned to overcome his physical limitations with exceptional elusiveness, something which immediately attracted the attention of Bobby Williamson and the other bargain-hunters who converged on Broadwood during the close-season. Of those who emerged from his class at Clarefontaine, many have gone on to become household names, some even World Cup winners. Nicolas Anelka, the erstwhile Arsenal and Real Madrid upstart now back home with Paris Saint-
Germain, is the cream of the crop and still keeps in regular contact with the fellow pupil who did not graduate with similar distinction.
Louis Saha, central to Fulham's success in gaining promotion to the Premiership, was another who made the grade, along with Philippe Christanval, who played against Rangers while with Monaco last season and who has just completed a dream move to Barcelona.
Pizzo still harbours such lofty ambitions - and still has plenty of time in which to achieve them - but for now he is more than grateful for the chance presented to him. ''I have been very well received here by the fans and want to demonstrate my skills.''
He may well be joined by some more new faces before the opening match of the season against Hibernian at Easter Road, but the manager refused to comment on the details of negotiations involving strikers David Merdy, Michel N'gongo, and Ante Razov.
Craig Levein, the Hearts managers, was only too happy to confirm his interest in Celtic's unfavoured French full back, Stephane Mahe, but was pragmatic enough to concede that wage demands might destroy any transfer.
A nominal fee has already been agreed for the 32-year-old but Mahe, who made only nine appearances during the club's treble-winning campaign, is unprepared to take a significant drop in salary.
''I last spoke to Martin O'Neill about three weeks ago,'' confirmed Levein yesterday, ''but the problem in the situation with Stephane Mahe is the wage gulf in what we can afford to pay him and what Celtic are paying him just now. But we'll work on that and keep talking and if something happens with the player then so be it.''
Levein will continue negotiations with the player and his representative but will require an answer before Saturday's curtain-raiser against Livingston. He was reluctant to further fan the flames of speculation surrounding Antti Niemi, reiterating that Charlton Athletic have yet to make a second bid after their original offer was turned down, but did confirm that the French trialist, Jacques Paviot, has suffered a setback in his efforts to win a new deal after sustaining a groin injury.
Hibernian, on the other hand, will today unveil Craig Brewster as their sixth signing of a busy summer for Alex McLeish after the former Ionikos striker impressed during their pre-season tour of France.
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