By James Copnall BBC West African football correspondent

Sylva has consigned Cissokho to the Senegal bench

Senegalese Khalidou Cissokho has joined Azerbaijani side FK Bakili Baku.

He signed a one year deal with the Eastern European side.

The 31-year-old leaves Senegal champions Jeanne d'Arc after helping the Dakar club to their last three league titles.

Cissokho was a non-playing member of the national team that went to the 2002 World Cup finals and the 2004 Cup of Nations finals.

He also captained a national team of local players who won the 2001 Amilcar Cabral trophy in Mali.

But his progress in the senior national team has been stunted by the fine form of Tony Sylva, who remains Senegal's number one.

With his place in the Jeanne d'Arc and Senegal side being taken by Pape Mamadou Diouf, one of the great hopes of Senegalese football, Cissokho's move to Europe is timely.

The goalkeeper seemed set to sign for Tunisian side Club Africain earlier in the year.

However, a disastrous Champions League performance, in which he conceded five goals to Club Africain's rivals Esperance, cost him the transfer.

Cissokho could well be joined at Bakili by two compatriots: both Sidi Diop and Samba Ba are on trial there.