An incredible rise to international stardom is becoming more and more of a reality for Ivorian starlet Bazoumana Touré after the 18-year-old winger completed a lucrative transfer to German Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday.
The former ASEC Mimosas youth product joins from Swedish Allsvenskan club Hammarby less than twelve months after moving to Sweden from ASEC to complete an incredible eleven months. Hoffenhiem announced the transfer on their social media channels stating that Touré signed a long-term contract with the club based in Baden-Württemberg state.
While many talented young players acquired in Europe from African football require at least two seasons to make the jump to a top-5 European league, Touré thrived in Swedish football from his arrival at Hammarby. Touré scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 23 matches for Hammarby, leading the Stockholm-based side to a runner-up finish to conclude the 2024 Allsvenskan campaign.
A skilled dribbler with devastating pace and already well developed attacking instincts in and around the penalty area, it appears that Touré will be given an opportunity to contribute immediately at a club who are performing well below expectations this season. The Managing Director for Sport for Hoffenheim, Andreas Schicker, hailed his club's signing:
"Bazoumana has drawn the attention of many top European clubs thanks to his consistently strong performances in Sweden. That makes us all the more delighted that he ultimately chose to take the next step of his career at TSG Hoffenheim with full conviction."
"Bazoumana is a high-talented and therefore also a very exciting player, who already possesses very good abilities at his young age and still has enormous potential for development. He is a quick, technically strong and dangerous attacking player who fits in with our philosophy of play very well. He will get all the time he needs from us to acclimatise in the Kraichgau and to take the next steps on a sporting level."
After finishing 7th last season and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, Hoffenheim are experiencing a bit of a crisis this season. They sit in 15th position currently, four points out of the relegation zone and performing well below their potential. Hoffenheim were also eliminated at the league phase of the Europa League which will allow them to focus on improving their Bundesliga form and fighting off relegation.
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