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French-born midfielder Seko Fofana has decided to
switch his international loyalty to Ivory Coast from France.
The 22-year old, made the announcement on Monday in Paris where he met
with the recently appointed Elephants head coach Marc Wilmots and the
Ivorian Football Federation (Fif) president Augustin Sidy Diallo.
Fofana posted on his official twitter handle, “The nation calls me!!! Today, I am happy and proud to announce that I will
represent the Elephants.”
The Udinese talisman played for the France U16, U17, U18 and U19 teams between 2010-2013 scoring three goals in 33 matches.
Born in the French capital to Ivorian parents, Fofana went through the ranks at Paris FC before joining Lorient where he spent two years and left at the age of 17 to join Manchester City.
Likened to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira for whom he played for in the U21s side during the 2013-14 season, he was later loaned out to Fulham in November 2014 and Bastia the following year.
Last June, Fofana was finally sold by City to Serie A side Udinese for 3.5 million euros and has since scored five goals in 23 matches.
He suffered a right fibula early last month and has been ruled out for the rest of the season but will be hoping to return to action just in time for the two-legged Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifier against Gabon on August 28 before the return leg in Abidjan on September 2 for his debut.
Fofana becomes the second player to switch allegiance in the past five months to the Elephants after former English international Wilfried Zaha made the change last November before making his competitive debut against Uganda in an international friendly in Abu Dhabi.
Fofana posted on his official twitter handle, “The nation calls me!!! Today, I am happy and proud to announce that I will
represent the Elephants.”
The Udinese talisman played for the France U16, U17, U18 and U19 teams between 2010-2013 scoring three goals in 33 matches.
Born in the French capital to Ivorian parents, Fofana went through the ranks at Paris FC before joining Lorient where he spent two years and left at the age of 17 to join Manchester City.
Likened to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira for whom he played for in the U21s side during the 2013-14 season, he was later loaned out to Fulham in November 2014 and Bastia the following year.
Last June, Fofana was finally sold by City to Serie A side Udinese for 3.5 million euros and has since scored five goals in 23 matches.
He suffered a right fibula early last month and has been ruled out for the rest of the season but will be hoping to return to action just in time for the two-legged Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifier against Gabon on August 28 before the return leg in Abidjan on September 2 for his debut.
Fofana becomes the second player to switch allegiance in the past five months to the Elephants after former English international Wilfried Zaha made the change last November before making his competitive debut against Uganda in an international friendly in Abu Dhabi.
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