Ivorian forward Francois Zoko joined United on a one-year deal, later extended to two years, in the summer of 2010 after a successful trial period at the club.

The Daloa-born player moved to France as a youngster, playing youth football in Paris for C.O. Savigny-sur-Orge before being spotted by scouts for AS Nancy.

He joined Les Chardons youth setup and impressed, earning a professional deal after just one season. He made his first-team debut just three games into the 2001/02 Ligue 2 season, coming on as a second half sub in a 0-0 draw with Le Havre AC.

After two more sub appearances he made his full debut against Nice, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win and picking up a yellow card. He went on to make 24 league appearances before the end of the season, scoring 3 goals. It had looked at one point as if Nancy would push for promotion to Ligue 1 but a mid-season slump saw them eventually finish in 9th place.

He found himself being used mostly as an impact sub at the start of the 2002/03 season as Nancy struggled towards a 15th place finish in Ligue 2. He eventually forced his way into the starting eleven, being deployed in a wide role and making 28 league appearances, scoring two goals.

First team opportunities were limited for Francois the 2003/04 campaign, partly due to being away on international duty during November 2003. He made most of his appearances that season from the bench although in his final game for the club on the last day of the season he did start and scored a goal in a 4-1 defeat of Le Harve.

He left the club at the start of the 2004/05 season in an attempt to find regular first team football and made the switch from north east to north west France, joining fellow Ligue 2 side Stade Lavallois. It was with Les Tangos that he established himself as a first team player.

He marked his debut for his new club by scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Dijon FCO on the opening day of the season. He would go on to make 27 league appearances and score 7 goals by the end of the season, with his most eventful game coming in the 2-1 defeat to Stade Brestois. After giving his side a first half lead, Francois was sent-off for the first time in his career for two bookings in the last 5 minutes of the game.

The 2005/06 season saw Francois start the opening few games as a sub before forcing his way into the starting eleven again. He made 33 appearances and scored twice after again being deployed on the wing.

At the start of the 2006/07 season Francois decided to move on and left French football for the first time, moving across the border into Belgium to sign for Jupiler League side Mons. He made 24 appearances and scored 4 goals in his first season with the club, including a brace in a 6-1 hammering of KSV Roeselaere, helping them to a ninth place finish.

He went on to make 32 appearances and score 8 goals in his second season and that impressive form for Mons attrracted the attention of a number of other Jupiler League clubs. But he opted instead for a switch to Turkey, linking up with Super Lig side Hacettepe SK in the summer of 2008.

His one full season with the Ankara-based club saw Zoko deployed in a central midfield role, making 27 appearances and scoring once. Hacettepe struggled to make an impact and were relegated at the end of the season.

With Hacettepe having a number of off the field problems, Francois decided to return to Belgium and signed for Second Division side KV Oostende, now managed by his former boss at Mons, on a short-term deal.

He made his debut in a 3-1 win over Tienen and in his second game he grabbed his first goal for the club, a 2-0 win over Lommel United. He went on to make 13 appearances, scoring 3 goals.

After his contract at Oostende expired in the summer of 2010, he decided to move on and realise his dream of playing football in England. He joined United on trial in time for the opening pre-season game against Kendal Town, scoring in a 4-1 win. He impressed in the rest of the pre-season campaign and was eventually signed permanently on a one-year contract.

His superb form in the first half of the season was enough to convince the United management that he was worth a longer contract and he signed an new 18-month contract in December 2010.

He continued to impress in the second-half of the season, with his spectacular overhead kick against Hartlepool United being voted as Goal of the Season at the end of season awards in May.

A skillful player who has plenty of strength to cause problems for defences, Francois has already proved a big fans favourite at Brunton Park. He has represented the Ivory Coast at both U20 and U23 level, playing at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates.

Under contract until the summer of 2012.

Francois is sponsored by Bruce & Kathryn Vander Taylor.

For more details on our Player and Coaching Staff sponsors for the 2011/12 season, click here.