[1] Born in Dreux, France, Cissé started his career as a trainee at French club Toulouse, and moved on to Portuguese Primeira Liga side Estoril.

Cissé's performances in the top division of Portuguese football alerted Reading to his potential and on 16 May 2007, he sealed a move on a three-year contract, for a fee of just under €1 million.

[5] Revolution General Manager Mike Burns praised Cissé's arrival, stating "We believe he has the ability to make a significant impact on our club, both on and off the field, in 2013.

[16] First-team coach Paul Simpson said that the short-term contract was an incentive for Cissé to impress Derby or any other club who might be interested, should his deal not be extended.

[21][22] Although born in France, Cissé played for the Mali U20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, his debut coming v Argentina.

[23] Cissé also appeared against Liberia on 9 October 2010, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, as well as in friendlies against Congo (17 November 2010), Ivory Coast (8 February 2011) and Tunisia (10 August 2011).

[23][24][25] Cissé was born in France to a family with Malian origins, and two of his younger brothers – Salif and Ibrahima – also embraced a professional footballing career.