‘Sess’, as is he affectionately known, has quickly become a crowd favourite and is the club’s reigning Player of the Season.

The Beninese star is simply breathtaking to watch with his range of tricks, flicks and outrageous skills.

He most often plays as an attacking midfielder, but has terrorized on either flank and has even been known to slot in up front.

Stephane was born in Allahe, Benin, but was on his way to Europe in the early stages of his career having impressed with Requins de l’Atlantique in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city.

He spent two seasons in the Parisian suburbs in France with Creteil before moving on to Le Mans, who he helped reach the semi-finals of the French League Cup.

Then it was off to Paris Saint-Germain where Stephane blossomed into a real star, becoming one of the most dangerous players in France.

Joining in summer 2008, he quickly set about becoming a favourite with a string of excellent performances both domestically and in the UEFA Cup.

He was named in the 2008-09 French Ligue 1 Team of the Year in his first season, following up with a Coupe de France winners’ medal the following season as PSG beat Monaco 1-0 in extra time.

Sunderland completed a £6m move for the playmaker in January 2011 with Stephane making an immediate impression during his first half-season.

He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 home win over Wigan in April, finishing the season in great form with three goals over the last five games of the campaign.

Stephane moved into even more of a key role in 2011-12, finishing as the club’s joint leading scorer with eight goals and leading the team in assists.

His efforts earned him the Player of the Season award and cemented a place as one of the most popular Sunderland players in recent memory.

Stephane in a full international for Benin and represented his country at the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The pacy forward signed a new contract with Sunderland in August 2012, tying him to the club until 2015.

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