Seko Fofana

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Seko Fofana
Seko Fofana.jpg
Fofana with Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Personal information
Full name Seko Mohamed Fofana [1]
Date of birth (1995-05-07) 7 May 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Rennes
Number 8
Youth career
2004–2010 Paris FC
2010–2013 Lorient
2013–2014 Manchester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014–2016 Manchester City 0 (0)
2014–2015 → Fulham (loan) 21 (1)
2015–2016 → Bastia (loan) 32 (1)
2016–2020 Udinese 112 (13)
2020–2023 Lens 103 (17)
2023–2025 Al-Nassr 14 (0)
2024–2025 → Al-Ettifaq (loan) 27 (2)
2025– Rennes 3 (0)
International career‡
2010–2011 France U16 12 (7)
2011–2012 France U17 11 (2)
2012–2013 France U18 7 (2)
2013 France U19 3 (1)
2017– Ivory Coast 26 (7)
Medal record
Representing Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast
Men's football
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner 2023 Ivory Coast
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:36, 19 January 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:24, 19 November 2024 (UTC)

Seko Mohamed Fofana (born 7 May 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Rennes. Born in France, he plays for the Ivory Coast national team.

Contents

Club career

Manchester City

Born in Paris, France, Fofana began his youth career at Paris FC when he was nine and stayed there for six years before joining Lorient. [2] After two years at Lorient, [2] he moved to England when he joined Premier League side Manchester City in 2013 and was immediately sent to the development squad. [3]

Fofana began to be a regular in the under-18s in the 2013–14 season, making 20 appearances and scoring 5 goals in the league and playing 7 times scoring twice in the club's UEFA Youth League campaign against CSKA Moscow [4] and Benfica Juniors. [5] During Manchester City's U21 friendly match against HNK Rijeka, he was racially abused by one of the opposition player just before half-time. As a result, players from Manchester City's U21 squad walked off the pitch, prompting the match to be cancelled. [6] After the match, Manager Patrick Vieira praised the action of the players to walk out. [7]

Fulham (loan)

On 27 November 2014, Fofana signed for Championship side Fulham on loan until 31 January 2015. [8] He made his Fulham debut two days later, where he came on as a substitute for Emerson Hyndman in the 63rd minute, in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. [9] His form and performance convinced Fulham to extend the loan spell until the end of the season. [10] He scored his first goal for the club on 21 March 2015 to secure a 2–0 win away to Huddersfield Town. [11] Having established himself under the management of Kit Symons, [12] Fofana went on to make 25 appearances scoring once before returning to his parent club.

Bastia (loan)

Fofana with Bastia in 2016 Seko Fofana (SC Bastia).JPG
Fofana with Bastia in 2016

After making two appearances for City during their pre-season tour in Australia (playing the second half of a 2–0 win over Adelaide United, [13] and coming on as a late substitute in Manchester City's 1–0 win over Melbourne City), [14] the Premier League club agreed to send Fofana out on loan again to gain further experience. The Frenchman subsequently returned to his native France, to join Bastia on a season-long loan on 29 July 2015. [15] He made his Ligue 1 debut in the opening game of the season 10 days later, on 8 August 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2−1 win at home to Rennes. [16] He then scored his first goal on 12 December 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Troyes, [17] followed up by assisting in the next game on 19 December 2015, in a 2–0 win over Reims. [18] In a 1–0 win over Montpellier on 16 January 2016, Fofana received a straight red card in the 65th minutes. [19] After the match, he was given a four match ban [20] and Fofana, himself, apologised for his action. [21] In total, he made 32 appearances and scoring once for Bastia.

Udinese

After three years at Manchester City, Fofana joined Serie A side Udinese, signing a five-year deal for worth £2.5 million. [22] In addition, the move included a possible €2 million bonus and Bastia receiving 15% of the total compensation, up to €700K. [23] Fofana made his Udinese debut in the opening game of the season playing 79 minutes before being substituted, in a 4–0 loss against Roma. [24]

Lens

On 18 August 2020, Fofana signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 club Lens. [25] He scored his first goal on 21 February 2021 against Dijon. After a string of good performances, he was awarded the Ligue 1 Player of the Month for September 2021. In May 2022, Fofana won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best African player in France's top flight for the 2021–22 campaign, following a season in which he scored eight goals in 37 appearances. [26] On 31 August 2022, he signed a contract extension with the club until 2025. [27]

Al-Nassr

On 18 July 2023, Fofana joined Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on a three-year deal, reportedly for a fee of €25 million. [28]

Al-Ettifaq

On 30 January 2024, Fofana joined fellow Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq on a six-month loan. [29] [30] On 17 August 2024, Fofana re-joined Al-Ettifaq on a one-year loan. [31]

Rennes

On 1 January 2025, Fofana returned to Ligue 1 and joined Rennes on a four-and-a-half years contract. [32] [33] The transfer was completed for a fee of €20 million, establishing him as the most expensive sale in the history of the Saudi Pro League. [34]

International career

Fofana was eligible to play for France and Ivory Coast, as his parents come from there. [35] Fofana previously represented France U16, France U17, France U18 and France U19. On 3 April 2017, Fofana chose to represent the Ivory Coast, the country of his parents. [36]

Fofana made his debut for Ivory Coast in a 2–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification loss to Morocco on 11 November 2017. [37]

In December 2023, Fofana was named in the Ivory Coast's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. [38] [39] [40] He scored the opening goal of the tournament four minutes into Ivory Coast's 2–0 win over Guinea-Bissau on 13 January 2024. [41]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 January 2025 [42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] ContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fulham (loan) 2014–15 Championship 21140——251
Bastia (loan) 2015–16 Ligue 1 32110——331
Udinese 2016–17 Serie A 22510——235
2017–18 27320——293
2018–19 31210——322
2019–20 32330——353
Total1121370——17715
Lens 2020–21 Ligue 130220——322
2021–22 38832——4110
2022–23 35742——399
Total1031794——11221
Al-Nassr 2023–24 Saudi Pro League 140322 [b] 06 [c] 1253
Al-Ettifaq (loan) 2023–24 Saudi Pro League142———142
2024–25 13020—4 [d] 1191
Total27220—41333
Rennes 2024–25 Ligue 13010——40
Career total312342752010235142

International

As of match played 19 November 2024 [43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Ivory Coast 201710
201951
202222
202342
2024142
Total267
Scores and results list Ivory Coast's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fofana goal. [43]
List of international goals scored by Seko Fofana
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
110 September 2019 Stade Robert Diochon, Rouen, FranceFlag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 2–02–1 Friendly
224 September 2022Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo 1–02–1
327 September 2022 Stade de la Licorne, Amiens, FranceFlag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 3–03–1
417 November 2023 Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory CoastFlag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 5–09–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [44]
520 November 2023 National Stadium, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFlag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 2–02–0
613 January 2024Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory CoastFlag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 1–02–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [41]
77 June 2024 Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium, Korhogo, Ivory CoastFlag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 1–01–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Al-Nassr

Ivory Coast

Individual

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References

  1. ↑ "01 February 2013 Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Info FM : à la découverte de Seko Fofana, la pépite française de Man City". Foot Mercato. 6 April 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "Player Profile - Seko Fofana". Manchester City F.C. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "Match Report: Manchester City U19s 1 CSKA U19s 2". Manchester Evening News. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Manchester City U19 1 Benfica Juniors 2: Young Blues crash out of UEFA Youth League". Manchester Evening news. 18 March 2014. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Racism Claim Halts Manchester City Friendly". Sky News. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Vieira praised for EDS walkoff". Manchester Evening News. 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Fofana Joins On Loan". Fulham FC. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Sky Bet Championship: Fulham come from behind to beat Brighton 2-1". Sky Sports. 30 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "Seko Fofana: Fulham extend Manchester City man's loan spell". BBC Sport. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  11. ↑ "Huddersfield Town 0-2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 21 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Pro Seko In Sparkling Form". Fulham F.C. 3 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Adelaide United 0-2 Man City: Brandon Barker and Bruno Zuculini on target". Sky Sports. 15 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Melbourne City 0-1 Manchester City: Samir Nasri scores only goal". Sky Sports. 18 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Seko Fofana joins Bastia on loan". Manchester City F.C. 29 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 August 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Bastia-Rennes (2-1), Bastia renverse Rennes" (in French). Goal.com. 8 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  17. ↑ "TOUJOURS PAS DE VICTOIRE POUR TROYES" (in French). Football 365. 12 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  18. ↑ "BASTIA PASSERA LES FÊTES AU CHAUD" (in French). Football 365. 19 December 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  19. ↑ "BASTIA FAIT REPLONGER MONTPELLIER" (in French). Football 365. 16 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  20. ↑ "Commission de discipline : le Bastiais Seko Fofana prend 4 matches" (in French). L'Equipe. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "Seko Fofana s'est excusé auprès de Jonas Martin pour son coup de boule" (in French). L'Equipe. 17 January 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  22. ↑ "Udinese sign Manchester City midfielder Seko Fofana - report". ESPN. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
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  24. ↑ "Roma-Udinese 4-0: super Perotti, i giallorossi calano subito il poker" (in Italian). Repubblica.it. 20 August 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  25. ↑ "Seko Fofana: Lens sign former Manchester City midfielder from Udinese". Goal . 18 August 2020. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  26. 1 2 "Seko Fofana: Lens and Ivory Coast player wins Marc-Vivien Foe award". BBC. 16 May 2022. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  27. ↑ "Seko Fofana signs emotional new contract at Lens - in front of full stadium". SPORF. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  28. ↑ Rai, Guillermo; Cortegana, Mario (18 July 2023). "Lens captain Seko Fofana completes €25m transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "لاعب النصر العاجي فوفانا يدعم وسط الاتفاق بنظام الإعارة".
  30. ↑ "Steven Gerrard has his Jordan Henderson replacement! Seko Fofana leaves Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for Al-Ettifaq on loan". Goal. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "رسميّا.. الاتفاق يمدد إعارة فوفانا".
  32. ↑ "Seko Fofana joins Stade Rennais | Stade Rennais F.C." Stade Rennais F.C. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  33. ↑ "Seko Fofana is back!". Ligue 1. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  34. ↑ Millar, Colin. "Seko Fofana leaves Al Nassr to join Rennes". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  35. ↑ "Seko Fofana (Bastia) dragué par la Côte d'Ivoire" (in French). L'Equipe. 7 February 2016. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  36. ↑ Rédaction. "Côte d'Ivoire : Maxwel Cornet et Seko Fofana ont choisi de jouer pour les Eléphants". Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  37. ↑ FIFA.com. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Ivory Coast-Morocco". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016.
  38. ↑ "LA LISTE" (in Portuguese). Ivorian Football Federation. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024– via Facebook.
  39. ↑ Sahi, Tristan (28 December 2023). "Côte d'Ivoire: voici les 27 Eléphants de Gasset, Zaha et des ténors font leurs adieux à la CAN 2023" (in French). 7info . Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  40. ↑ "CÔTE D'IVOIRE" (PDF). Confederation of African Football. 5 January 2024.
  41. 1 2 "Ivory Coast open AFCON 2023 with 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau". Al Jazeera. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  42. ↑ Seko Fofana at Soccerway
  43. 1 2 "Seko Fofana". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  44. ↑ "Ivory Coast score nine against Seychelles for record victory". France 24. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  45. ↑ Stevens, Rob (11 February 2024). "Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  46. ↑ "L'équipe type de la saison de Ligue 1 aux trophées UNFP avec un trio d'attaque Terrier-Ben Yedder-Mbappé". L'Équipe (in French). 15 May 2022. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  47. ↑ "Messi, Rongier, Danso... L'équipe type de la saison de Ligue 1". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  48. ↑ "Seko Fofana, joueur du mois de septembre de la Ligue 1 Uber Eats !" [Seko Fofana, player of the month for September in Ligue 1 Uber Eats!] (in French). National Union of Professional Footballers. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
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