Club Connection | Cédric Kipré
As the Bluebirds travel to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon, we take a look back at a player who impressed for both clubs.
This weekend could see the likes of Callum Robinson, Karlan Grant and Semi Ajayi face their former clubs, but today we focus on defender Cédric Kipré.
Having previously made an impression at Motherwell and Wigan Athletic, the centre-back joined the Baggies in September 2020 on a four-year deal.
At the time, Albion were a Premier League club, having finishing second in the Sky Bet Championship in the 2019/20 campaign.
Cédric's debut for the Baggies came in September 2020 in an EFL Cup tie against Harrogate Town, in which the side progressed with a 3-0 victory.
Upon West Bromwich Albion's return to the second tier and the defender's arrival back from a loan at Charleroi, he became much more involved, scoring his first goal in a Baggies shirt in January 2022.
The centre-back scrambled home the opening goal in a 3-0 win over Peterborough United.
The club finished 10th in the Sky Bet Championship table that season, with Cédric making 16 appearances in all competitions.
In our matchday programme, The Bluebird, we asked the defender for an XI of his best teammates, in which he included Albion teammates Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana.
Describing the latter, he said: "His skills are unbelievable. I was with him at West Brom and he was a very good player for us that season. He can do anything on the pitch and he is very difficult to play against."
15th July 2022 was the date that Cédric became a Bluebird, and he quickly became a hugely popular figure with the City faithful for his committed performances.
I’m really happy to be here," he said upon signing. I’d describe myself as a ball-playing centre half; aggressive on the ball and against opponents. I like to defend 1v1, as well.
“Hopefully I can play as many games as possible, stay injury free and try to help the team to achieve their goals.”
Cédric was instantly recognisable on the field, not only for his performances, but also because of his series of ever-changing hairstyles during his time at City.
Speaking to The Bluebird programme ahead of our clash with Burnley in 2022, he said: "My brother does my hair, so it's easy for me! He just comes around to my house, which means I can have a new hairstyle whenever I want to.
"I think the fans will be in for a surprise today, because I've changed it again for this weekend."
A presence in both boxes, the defender first showed his capabilities in the opposition area in a home clash with Watford.
A trademark Joe Ralls corner dangerously flew into the box, with Kipré rising highest in the area to head home.
It wasn't only his heading abilities that posed a threat. In the reverse fixture at Vicarage Road, the ball fell kindly in the box for the defender, who emphatically fired into the net in a 3-1 win.
City's goals were memorable that night, with the third an overhead kick from Sory Kaba, which went on to win the Club Goal of the Season award.
During his loan spell in the Welsh capital, the defender scored one of our most important goals of the 2022/23 campaign.
In an away clash with Rotherham United in April 2023, the score was locked at 1-1 with 87 minutes on the clock.
Similarly to his goal at Watford, Kipré was in the right place at the right time to find a dramatic winner, smashing home from close-range.
The celebrations were as memorable as the goal itself, with the away end at the ASSEAL New York Stadium recognising the significance of the winner.
Reflecting on the crucial goal after the full-time whistle, he said: "The goal was very important for us, and we needed that win. We came here and did the job.
"I couldn't believe it, honestly, but it's the best feeling ever to score late in the game and celebrate with your supporters, when you look at how many came to support us.
"Nothing was with us tonight. We had to go and get it, and we did. Luckily for me it was really easy to come to Cardiff. All of the lads and the staff have been excellent with me from the start. I’ve felt their confidence towards me, so I’m really happy with the score.”
His return to Albion after that loan spell in South Wales saw him impress at The Hawthorns last season.
As a first-choice centre-back, Kipré regularly produced fine performances on his way to being named both Players' Player and Supporters' Player of the Season at the end of the campaign.
The Baggies finished fifth in the Sky Bet Championship, before falling to defeat against eventually promoted Southampton in the Play-Offs.
During the season, the defender again showed his goalscoring threat, notably scoring in wins over Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle.
Over the summer, Cédric departed The Hawthorns and now represents French Ligue 1 club Reims.
