Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly

Koulibaly playing for Genk in 2014
Personal information
Full name Kalidou Koulibaly
Date of birth (1991-06-20) 20 June 1991
Place of birth Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Napoli
Number 26
Youth career
1999–2004 Saint-Dié
2004–2006 Metz
2006–2009 Saint-Dié
2009–2010 Metz
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Metz 42 (1)
2012–2014 Genk 64 (3)
2014– Napoli 75 (2)
2017- Manchester United F.C
National team‡
2011–2012 France U20 11 (0)
2015– Senegal 11 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 November 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 November 2016

Kalidou Koulibaly (born 20 June 1991) is a Senegalese footballer who plays as centre back for Serie A club Napoli.[1] He is recognised for his passing ability and versatility, as he can play as a central defender, right back or defensive midfielder.

Early life

Koulibaly was born on 20 June 1991, to Senegalese parents in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France. His footballing career began with local club SR Saint-Dié.

Career

Early career

Koulibaly began his career playing for hometown club SR Saint-Dié and spent two seasons playing on the club's senior team in the Championnat de France amateur 2, before joining the academy of professional club Metz on 1 July 2009.[2] While at Metz, Koulibaly helped the club's under-19 team win the 2009–10 Coupe Gambardella after the team defeated Sochaux 5–4 on penalties in the final.[3] He also played on the club's amateur team in the Championnat de France amateur appearing in 15 matches as Metz were crowned champions of the league finishing with 107 points.

Metz

Prior to the start of the 2010–11 season, Koulibaly signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal. He was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team by new manager Dominique Bijotat. Koulibaly made his professional debut on 20 August 2010 in a league match against Vannes. He appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 victory.[4]

K.R.C. Genk

On 29 June 2012, Koulibaly joined Belgian club Racing Genk after agreeing to a four-year deal.[5] On 23 August 2012, Koulibaly made his Racing Genk debut in a UEFA Europa League play-off qualifying round, in which they were defeated by Swiss side Luzern 2–1 in the first leg of two.[6] On 23 December 2012, Koulibaly scored his first Racing Genk goal in a 4–2 home defeat to Anderlecht, in which he scored a free header from a corner.[7]

Napoli

On 2 July 2014, Koulibaly joined Serie A side S.S.C. Napoli on a five-year deal, for a fee around the margin of £6.5 million. Koulibaly was given the number 26 upon arrival.

On 19 August 2014, Koulibaly made his debut in a UEFA Champions League play-off round qualifier, in which Napoli drew 1–1 with Athletic Bilbao.[8] Napoli went on to lose the second leg 3–1, therefore sending them out of the competition.[9] On 24 September 2014, almost a month later after making his Napoli debut, Koulibaly scored his first goal for the Italian side in a 3–3 draw with Palermo, in which he nodded home a header from an inviting ball in.[10]

International career

Kalidou Koulibaly was born and raised in France by Senegalese parents, and was therefore eligible for both nations. He played for the U-20 French side starting in 2011. However, in early September 2015, Koulibaly changed federations and joined the Senegal national football team, despite the interest to call him for Les Bleus from Didier Deschamps.[11] He made his debut on 5 September 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia in a 2–0 victory.

Career statistics

As of match played 14 May 2016.[12]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Metz 2010–11 Ligue 2 1911000—201
2011–12 Ligue 2 2202000—240
Total 4113000—441
Racing Genk 2012–13 Belgian Pro League 31160—9[lower-alpha 1]0461
2013–14 Belgian Pro League 33230—10[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 1]0462
Total 64390—190923
Napoli 2014–15 Serie A 27120—10[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 4]0391
2015–16 Serie A 33020—7[lower-alpha 1]0420
Total 60140—170811
Career total 1655160003602175
  1. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. ↑ Appearance(s) in Belgian Super Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in Supercoppa Italiana

Honours

Club

K.R.C. Genk[13]
Napoli[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Mercato, Napoli: ufficiale Koulibaly. Visite, firma: è il primo colpo azzurro" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Koulibaly, le jour d'après" (in French). Le Républicain Lorrain. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  3. ↑ "Sochaux v. Metz Match Report" (in French). French Football Federation. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Metz v. Vannes Match Report" (in French). L'Equipe. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Kalidou Koulibaly is van Genk" (in Dutch). Gazet van Antwerpen. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Luzern vs. Genk". Soccerway. 23 August 2012.
  7. ↑ "Genk vs. Anderlecht". Soccerway. 23 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "Napoli vs. Athletic Club". Soccerway. 19 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Athletic Club vs. Napoli". Soccerway. 27 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Napoli vs. Palermo". Soccerway. 24 September 2014.
  11. ↑ http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/105/main/2016/02/24/20662592/deschamps-must-have-missed-something-koulibaly
  12. ↑ Kalidou Koulibaly profile at Soccerway
  13. 1 2 Kalidou Koulibaly profile at Soccerway

External links

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