When the France international right-back or midfielder arrived at the KC Stadium shortly before our first Premier League season, he was assured of a warm welcome from at least one familiar face.

Bernard spent the 2002-03 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers while City boss Phil Brown was assistant to manager Sam Allardyce at the Reebok Stadium.

Although the first-half of the campaign was disrupted by a series of niggling injuries, having regained his place in January, he remained a regular until the end of the campaign.

His pace proved to be a tremendous asset especially when he played in a more attacking role on the right-hand side.

Bernard was a constant threat in Wanderers good run of late season form that saw them retain their Premier League status.

He made a total of 23 appearances for Bolton without opening his goalscoring account.

Born in Normandy and from the background of a Senegalese family, a boyhood dream came true in 2000 for the self-confessed supporter of Paris St Germain when he joined PSG from SM Caen.

Upon his return from Bolton, he produced some outstanding performances and was rewarded in May 2004 with selection for the France national team against Brazil in the FIFA Centenary game at the Stade de France.

The personal highlight of his international debut was a tremendous burst of speed which left Roberto Carlos trailing in his wake.

Bernard made his two further appearances for Les Bleus in 2004.

In the meantime, he has continued to excel for PSG where he has gained Champions League and UEFA Cup experience in over 200 appearances.

A member of the PSG team that won the French Cup in 2004 and 2006, last season he calmly converted a penalty for the decisive last-minute winner in the Final of the Coupe de la Ligue against RC Lens.

With the completion of his contract, Bernard decided to move on and, having also reportedly attracted the attention of Fulham and Celtic, he joined the Tigers with a three-year contract.

Upon capturing his signature, a delighted Phil Brown observed: "I was always impressed with his attitude towards hard work.

"He had dynamic pace when he was at Bolton and I don't expect that to have gone, having watched him a couple of times last year, but it was his attitude that was something I couldn't afford to miss out on.

"Bernard has got international aspirations and the only way to realise them is to impress me on a regular basis so he plays regularly in the Premier League."