A RESTAURANT manager has recalled how one of his waiting staff would order for an Albion star while he learnt English.

After completing his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, Yves Bissouma said his goodbyes to his favourite restaurant in the city.

Staff at Regency Restaurant in King's Road, Brighton, said it was great to see him before he left.

“He came in to say his goodbyes, which was lovely,” restaurant director Roberto Savvides said. “Then we saw the post online too, which was great.”

The 25-year-old shared a series of pictures of him saying his goodbyes to staff at the restaurant.

Roberto said Bissouma, who was a regular, had difficulties reading the menu, so one of his waiting staff took it upon himself to order for the footballer.

“He has been a regular down here since he arrived at Albion,” he said. “He just walked in the first time and one of our waiters Michalis Skurti recognised him straight away. He’s football mad and knows all the players.

“He went, ‘Yves, come on in my friend, sit down’. Just made him feel welcome.

“He would normally order for him. His English wasn’t perfect, so he struggled with the menu. But the waiter took it upon himself to order for him. He’d go, ‘Right, today you’re having this dish. Tomorrow you’ll have this, and the next this.”

The Argus: Yves Bissouma with Regency Restaurant waiter Michalis Skurti Yves Bissouma with Regency Restaurant waiter Michalis Skurti

Bissouma joined fellow Premier League side Spurs last month for an undisclosed fee which could rise to in excess of £30 million.

Roberto said all the staff members are sad to see him leave the club.

“He’s a very, very nice chap. He keeps himself to himself,” he said. “But always makes sure to say help to all the staff. He clearly has a great attitude.”

In a post on Instagram alongside pictures of him signing an Albion shirt and posing for photos with staff, Bissouma said: “Before my mum came to make me eat, it was here in this restaurant that I ate every day and this guy help a lot for meals.

“I came to say thank you for everything by offering a shirt.”

Following Bissouma’s departure, Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “The transfer is a very good one for the club and player. Yves has shown his undoubted ability and been an important player for us during his time with us.

“Now he has a new challenge with Tottenham, including the opportunity to play Champions League football, and everyone at the club wishes him well.”

After the transfer was confirmed, Bissouma revealed his ambitions with his new side.

“It’s my dream to play Champions League,” he said.

“I remember when I was younger, I watched the Champions League every day. I can’t believe (I’m going) to play Champions League with Spurs.

“I’m so happy, I just want to say thank you my mum, my dad and my agent here, thank you everyone, thank you to Spurs as well.”