Mohamed Toure (footballer, born 2004)

Mohamed Toure (born 26 March 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Championnat National 2 side Reims B.[1] Born in Guinea, Toure is eligible to represent Australia, Guinea and Liberia at international level.

Mohamed Toure
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-03-26) 26 March 2004
Place of birth Conakry, Guinea
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
 Reims B
Number 9
Youth career
2015–2018 Croydon Kings
2019 SA NTC
2020 Adelaide United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Adelaide United NPL 21 (9)
2020–2022 Adelaide United 42 (7)
2022– Reims B 14 (8)
2023– Reims 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13 May 2023

Early life

Born to Liberian parents who were displaced by the Second Liberian Civil War, Toure was born in a refugee camp in Conakry, the capital of Guinea.[2][3] When he was eight months old, his family moved to Croydon, a suburb of Adelaide, where his father attended university to provide for the family.[2] Growing up in Australia, Toure spent a lot of time playing football with his brothers, Al Hassan and Musa where they would play on the soccer field across from their house.[2][3] Displaying immense talent on the pitch, Toure was selected to join the local club Croydon Kings where he would play most of his youth career at.[3][4]

Club career

Adelaide United

Toure joined A-League club Adelaide United in 2020, starting in the Adelaide United Youth squad that played in A-League Youth and NPL South Australia.[5][6] On 8 February 2020, Toure made his A-League debut in a 2–1 win against Brisbane Roar becoming the third youngest debutant in the league at 15 years and 320 days old behind Teeboy Kamara (15 years, 212 days) and Idrus Abdulahi (15 years, 216 days).[7][8] Additionally, he became the second youngest debutant for Adelaide United.[9] On 13 February 2020, Toure signed his first professional contract with Adelaide United, a three-year scholarship deal that would keep him at the club until 2023.[10] Bruce Djite, the club's director, expressed his praise for Toure, stating that he believes the scholarship contract will provide Toure with a clear pathway to continue his development as a professional player.[11]

On 14 February 2020, Toure scored his first goal for the club in the 84th minute of a 2–0 home win against Central Coast Mariners. At the age of just 15 years and 326 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the A-League.[12][13][14] In an Original Rivalry match, on 23 January 2021, Toure scored the winning goal to secure 1–0 win for his side by full time.[15][16] On April 2, 2022, Mohamed Toure started in the Original Rivalry match against Melbourne Victory, to where Adelaide United suffered a 1–0 defeat.[17] Unfortunately, in the 21st minute of the match, he suffered a dislocated shoulder that forced him out of the game and the rest of the season. This injury would eventually mark the end of his time with the club, as he had already agreed to a transfer to another team.[18]

Reims

On 10 June 2022, Toure, alongside his Adelaide teammate and cousin Yaya Dukuly, transferred to Ligue 1 club Reims, for an undisclosed fee.[19][20] After showing impressive form in Reims B team, scoring 8 goals in 14 league appearances, Toure made his Ligue 1 debut for the club in a 1–0 home win against Lille, coming off the bench in the 84th minute for Folarin Balogun.[21] With his debut, he became the 2nd Australian to play in the top flight of France in the 2022–23 season since Denis Genreau for Toulouse.[22]

Style of play

Toure is a skilful forward who utilizes his pace and physical strength effectively in the attacking third.[23] He is capable of scoring goals in various styles and also enjoys contributing to the build-up play.[24] At Adelaide United, he often received the ball near the line, using his pace and strength to beat defenders and deliver the ball into the box for his teammates. Toure's impressive physique, speed, and dribbling skills allow him to carry the ball for long distances without being dispossessed, sometimes resulting in fouls being the only way to stop him.[24]

Personal life

Toure has an older brother, Al Hassan Toure, and a younger brother, Musa Toure who both had made league appearances with Adelaide United.[25] He also has a sister, Mariam, who plays in the South Australian women’s football league.[26] His father was also a footballer in Guinea before taking the role of a teacher and an uncle who had played in NPL South Australia.[2]

Career statistics
As of 13 May 2023[1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Adelaide United 2019–20[27] A-League 9100——91
2020–21[28] A-League 15300——153
2021–22[29] A-League 18320——203
Total 427200000447
Reims B 2022–23 Championnat National 2 148———148
Stade de Reims 2022–23[30] Ligue 1 2000——20
Career total 58152000006015

References
  1. Mohamed Toure at Soccerway
  2. Burnett, Adam (22 March 2023). "Special Feature: Born in a mud hut in a refugee camp, to dreaming of dominating Australian football". Optus Sport.
  3. Tripathi, Saumy Deepak (18 October 2022). "Who is Mohamed Toure: Australian Star at Stade Reims". FootTheBall.
  4. "Mohamed Toure - Player Statistics". GameDay.
  5. "Mohamed Toure - Player Statistics". GameDay.
  6. "Y-League cancelled for 2021 as APL flags reform for Australia's talent pipeline". ESPN. 24 January 2021.
  7. "15-year-old Adelaide star Mohamed Toure lights up A-League with stunning debut". Fox Sports. 8 February 2020.
  8. Lewis, Dave (10 February 2020). "Adelaide's plan to ensure Mohamed Toure is no flash in the pan". SBS Sport.
  9. "Teenage talent Mohamed Toure debuts as Adelaide United suffers more injuries in 12 loss to Brisbane". 9 February 2020.
  10. "Signing news: Mohamed Toure earns scholarship contract deal | MyFootball". MyFootball. 13 February 2020.
  11. "Reds sign Mohamed Toure to scholarship deal". Adelaide United. KEEPUP. 13 February 2020.
  12. "15 years, 325 days: Mohamed Toure becomes the Hyundai A-League's youngest goalscorer". KEEPUP. 14 February 2020.
  13. "Twice the Toure". Adelaide United. KEEPUP. 15 February 2020.
  14. "Big Moments: Toure becomes youngest A-League goal-scorer". Adelaide United. KEEPUP. 26 August 2021.
  15. Lynch, Michael (23 January 2021). "Teenage prodigy gets Reds home against Victory". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. "'Never seen a 16yo like him': 'No limits' for match-winning A-League freak". Fox Sports. 24 January 2021.
  17. Filosi, Gianluca (2 April 2022). "What went right, what went wrong vs Melbourne Victory". Adelaide United.
  18. Gagliardi, Lee (11 April 2022). "Veart confirms A-League star Toure is leaving". FTBL.
  19. Filosi, Gianluca (3 June 2022). "Reds agree transfer fee for Mohamed Toure and Yaya Dukuly with French club". Adelaide United.
  20. "Mohamed Touré et Yaya Dukuly rejoignent le groupe Pro 2 | Stade de Reims". Stade de Reims. 10 June 2022.
  21. "Reims vs. Lille - 6 May 2023". Ligue1. 6 May 2023.
  22. "A former A-Leagues teen star makes his Ligue 1 debut!". KEEPUP. 6 May 2023.
  23. Lewis, Dave (25 February 2021). "Toure brothers link with Patrick Vieira's agent to fast-track European futures". SBS Sport.
  24. Tripathi, Saumy Deepak (18 October 2022). "Mohamed Toure's potential and style of play". FootTheBall.
  25. "Toure v Toure: The special family eager to inspire young African-Australian footballers". KEEPUP. 16 October 2022.
  26. "Mohamed Toure's French dream". The Roar. 23 May 2022.
  27. "Mohamed Toure (Forward, Adelaide United): 2019-20 season". Ultimate A-League.
  28. "Mohamed Toure (Forward, Adelaide United): 2020-21 season". Ultimate A-League.
  29. "Mohamed Toure (Forward, Adelaide United): 2021-22 season". Ultimate A-League.
  30. "Mohamed Toure - Ligue1". Ligue1.
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