Eric Bertrand Bailly (12^th April 1994, Côte d'Ivoire) is in his second spell at Villarreal CF. The defender from Bingerville, Côte d'Ivoire, played for the Yellows in the second half of the 2014/15 season and during the 2015/16 campaign.

Bailly was also coached by Marcelino García Toral during his first period as a Yellow during which he performed at a high level that led him, among other achievements, to make his debut with the Côte d'Ivoire national team. He was also an important part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2015/16 and reached the fourth position and the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey during the previous season, in 2014/15.

His outstanding role at Villarreal led to the likes of Manchester United turning their attention to the young centre-back, who would leave for the English club in the summer of 2016 becoming one of the biggest sales in the club's history.

After six seasons in Manchester, Bailly played on loan at Olympique Marseille (2022/23) and at Besiktas JK for the first half of the 2023/24 before signing his return to Vila-real.

PREVIOUS TEAMS:

• RCD Espanyol - Villarreal CF - Manchester United - Olympique de Marseille - Besiktas JK

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Africa Cup of Nations (2015)
• Community Shield (2016)
• League Cup (2016/17)
• UEFA Europa League (2016/17)