PLAYER PROFILE
John Mensah

CLUB:	FC Nitra
POSITION:	Defender
BORN:	1982-11-29
BIRTHPLACE:	Obuasi
PREVIOUS CLUBS	FC Nitra 2008-09: Lyon 2006-08: Stade Rennais FC 2005-06: Cremonese 2004-05: Chievo Verona 2003-04: Modena (Loan) 2002-03: Chievo Verona 2001-02: Genoa (Italy, 2) 1999-2001: Bellinzona (SUI) Sunderland Stade Rennais FC
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:	177/72
NICKNAME:	The Rock of Gibraltar
GHANA DEBUT:	Ghana-Algeria (05.12.2001)
CAPS/GOALS:	50/1

Honors/Achievements

More Information
John Mensah came into the limelight following his showing at the 2001 U-21 world cup played in Argentina. Mensah established a reputation of scoring important goals for the team, most of them from his head. For a defender that was a significant strength for Mensah, who was largely unknown then. He established a regular at Italian Serie B side Genoa in the 2001/02 season. He earned his invitation to the national team and announced his presence with a goal in a friendly game.

Mensah is a strong defender who is most comfortable in the middle, although he can also play left back. He has a knack for going forward and scoring goals. He tackles well and looks very focussed on the game.

National Side

After impressive displays for the national Under-21 side, John Mensah earned senior debut for the Black Stars against Algeria on 5 December 2001 just after his 19th birthday. In 2006, Mensah was selected in the 2006 African Nations Cup All-Star Team of the tournament by the Confederation of African Football.

News

01.02.2006: Joined Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC on loan from AC Chievo Verona until the end of the season.
2005: loaned to Cremonese
06.12.2002: Chievo Verona have swooped to sign 19-year-old Genoa defender John Mensah. The young Ghanaian made 22 appearances last season and many believe he can go a long way in the game. He joins on a one-year loan deal that could be made permanent if he impresses.