Rehman can hardly be described as a fan's favourite, but he has improved immeasurably since being moved back to centre half by Luigi De Canio
DOB 14/10/1983
Height - 6ft 2ins
Weight - 12st 13lbs
Contract - 2009
In August 2006 Gary Waddock went looking for somebody willing to have a go at taking the place of QPR legend, Dan Shittu in his new look team. For a fee in the region of £300k he found Fulham's Zesh Rehman, a 22 year old centre half with an impressive pedigree.
Rehman is a product of the Fulham academy and made his debut for the Cottagers in 2003 against Wigan in the League Cup. He then spent time on loan at Brighton in the old Second Division, scoring twice in nine appearances at centre half.
The following season he made a real breakthrough into the Fulham first team and started fifteen matches in the Premiership and six in the cup. During 2005/06 first team chances were fewer and further between for Zesh at the Cottage, just five starts in all, but he did open his Fulham account against Lincoln in the cup and spent time in the Championship on loan at Norwich.
Manager Gary Waddock told the official site after completing the signing: "It's a superb signing for the club. We've got a player with Premiership experience and who is undoubtedly Premiership class.
"He's an out-and-out defender but also has the unique ability of being able to bring the ball out of defence. There aren't many central defenders who can do that in the present day, so I'm delighted he's signed for us. He's very ambitious - like we all are at this club - and hopefully he can achieve great things with us."
As if that's not pressure enough the club assigned him the number five shirt, vacated by Danny Shittu just twenty four hours prior to Rehman's arrival.
However, the 2006-07 season was disappointing to say the least and after John Gregory's arrival, it became ever clear he wasn't in the manager's plans. He was eventually loaned out to Brighton of which he made seven appearances. The own goal at Luton that sent us crashing out of the cup probably summed up his season for him sadly. Come the start of 2007/08 he was still at the club, although re-assigned squad number 28. It seemed that we'd be seeing very little of him but injuries and suspensions saw him start the season at right back and continue there through until Gregory was sacked.
Rehman, much maligned by the supporters, was frankly inept at full back and should never have been picked there. But when new manager Luigi De Canio moved him to centre half his form took a turn for the better and he made great strides, turning in some of his best displays for the club. Sadly the previous 18 months of terrifying ineptness lives long in the memory and with Connolly and Hall added to the squad in January 2008 Rehman may be looking elsewhere to continue his recent improvements.
| Career Stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Apps(as sub) | Goals |
| QPR | 2007 - 08 | 18(4) | 0 |
| QPR | 2006 - 07 | 27 | 0 |
| Brighton (loan) | 2006 - 07 | 7 | 0 |
| Fulham | 2005 - 06 | 5 | 1 |
| Norwich (loan) | 2005 - 06 | 5 | 0 |
| Fulham | 2004 - 05 | 21(2) | 0 |
| Brighton (loan) | 2003 - 04 | 9(2) | 2 |
| Fulham | 2003 - 04 | 0(2) | 0 |