World Cup South Africa 2010

Favorite Players by Country (Germany 2006)

Group C - Ivory Coast:

Kolo Touré

Place of Birth: Sokoura Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire
Date of Birth: March 19th, 1981
Position: Centre-back
Clubs: ASEC Mimosas, Arsenal

Touré was transferred form ASEC Mimosas to the English Club the Arsenal on February 2002, for a price of £150,000. However, he did not make his debut for the first team until August of that year, against Liverpool F.C. in the FA Community Shield. They planned for him to be a utility man, he started his Arsenal career as a midfielder. However, the ageing Martin Keown was never properly replaced in the transfer market and Touré was announced as the new starting central defender.

Given the opportunity Touré quickly established himself as one of the best center backs in the English Premiership. He scored his first European goal, the final European goal scored at Highbury.

He is now a first-choice member of the team, part of a solid defensive partnership with Sol Campbell. Since Campbell's injury, he played alongside Philippe Senderos; both centre backs had immaculate form, helping Arsenal regain the ability it had in the previous season.

He has played for the Côte d'Ivoire national football team since 2000.
Kolo Abib Touré currently plays for Arsenal F.C. in England. He has a curiously small size for a soccer player, 1.83m but he makes up for a lack of size with an impressive vertical leap, making him strong in the air. He is also the third fastest player at Arsenal, considered very consistent and very durable.