The Manchester United centre-back was on the verge of having trials in Europe when war broke out in his home country which placed his trip in doubt
Eric Bailly was affected by the second Ivorian civil war which started in November 2010 and nearly missed out on his first European trip to commence his professional career.
The civil unrest was a political crisis with the then incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo failing to vacate his seat of power until he was captured after losing to present leader Alassane Ouattara at the polls.
The war which lasted for over four months killed thousands of civilians and almost stopped Bailly from going for his trial with Espanyol.