Sonko set for family first

Royals defender ready for happy families

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 4th December 2007

sonko ibrahima

Sonko: Surprise

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Reading's Premier League clash with Arsenal on Monday will also be a family first for Ibrahima Sonko and Bacary Sagna.

Royals centre-back Sonko and Arsenal defender Sagna have recently discovered they are related.

Both players were born in Senegal, but their families then separated when they were children.

Ahead of the Madejski Stadium showdown, Sonko has revealed it will be the first time he has met his long-lost cousin.

Surprise

"Sagna is apparently my cousin," Sonko said in the Daily Express.

"My brother knows him, but I've never met him. He grew up in France as well and his parents are Senegalese.

"I'll be meeting him for the first time on Monday. I know that sounds strange and I was really surprised about it.

"I knew I had cousins called Sagna, and I was told one was a player in England.

"Apparently Barcay knows about it as well, so it will be quite funny for us to meet up."