Yaya Toure: biography of an African football player

African football players are far from always outstanding, and in most cases it is not in their professional incompetence, but in the absence of proper conditions for their development and improvement of skills. One of the players in Africa, who still managed to assert themselves in the international arena, was midfielder Manchester City and Ivorian national team Yaya Toure. It is about this midfielder and will be discussed in the article.

Yaya Toure: biography and the beginning of a career

Defensive midfielder was born on May 13, 1983 in the city of Buaka, Cote d'Ivoire. Footballer is a pupil of the African team "ASEK Mimosas". Football career of the player started in 2001, and the Belgian "Beveren" became the first club of the midfielder, who only did his first steps in the game number one. The African played for this club for two years and managed to take part in 70 football matches and even scored three goals. During the performances in the Belgian team, the defensive midfielder managed to make himself known as a potential football player, as a result of which he was noticed by the Scouts of Donetsk Metallurg.

In 2003 Yaya Toure was in Donetsk Metallurg. Before this midfielder could move to London's Arsenal, but he had problems with a working visa. If the transfer happened, the English team would have to send the Ivorian for rent, which did not suit him. That's why he chose the Ukrainian team. As part of the Donetsk "Metallurg" African football spent a year and a half, and for 33 matches managed to score 16 goals in the goal. Such impressive figures attracted the attention of the Greek "Olympiakos", where Toure and moved in 2005. For the Greeks Ivorian played 26 fights and scored 3 goals.

Many football giants, such as Arsenal, Milan, Chelsea, Manchester United and Lyon, paid attention to the football player, but Yaya nevertheless became a player unknown to Monaco at the time. The transfer amount of the player was 4.5 million euros. After playing 27 matches in the French club and scoring 5 goals at the opponents' goal, Yaya Toure fully declared himself. It is here that the talents of the footballer unfolded: the ability to destroy rival attacks, a good pass and the ability to support an attack.

Barcelona

In June 2007, the African footballer joined the ranks of the Catalan "Barcelona", which paid 10 million euro for the defensive midfielder of "Monaco". In "Barcelona" midfielder spent 3 full seasons, although he did not have regular game practice, in view of the fact that his main competitors were Andres Iniesta and Xavi, whom at that time it was almost impossible to surpass. Nevertheless, with the Catalans Yaya won the main trophy of club football - the Champions League, which allowed him to replenish an already impressive treasury of awards.

In the "Barcelona" football became a two-time Spanish champion, the winner of the Spanish Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, as well as the winner of the Club World Cup. The last season for the Spanish grandee Toure held not so brightly as the previous two, so seriously thought about the next change of club registration.

"Manchester city"

In July 2010, Yaya Toure, a football player who had already proved himself at the world level, decided that it was time to move forward and signed a contract with Manchester City. The transfer amount was 24 million euros. The team at that time was beginning to make a name for itself, so attracting a player level Yaya helped her in the fight for the highest positions in the English Premier League and the long-awaited entry into the Champions League.

"Manchester City" - this is perhaps the only team in which the Ivorian stayed for a long time. For 3 years in the camp of "citizens" Yaya became a real leader and motor of the team. The regular goals of the Côte d'Ivoire national team have helped City for the first time in more than 40 years becoming the English Champion, winning the FA Cup and the English League Cup. It is possible that in mid-May Yaya, along with his team will celebrate the next championship. In addition, with the English midfielder recently signed a new four-year contract. Even Yaya Toure's wife is happy in Manchester!

Powerful penalties, the ability to play both a supporting and attacking midfielder, mobility, an excellent vision of the field - this is not all the strengths of an African football player.

International career

Yaya Toure is regularly called to the national team of his country since 2006. Participated in 5 cups of African nations, twice finishing second and once - fourth, as well as in the 2006 and 2010 World Championships. It is expected that Yaya will play at the forthcoming Mundial in Brazil.

Personal life

Yaya has two brothers - Kolo and Ibrahim, who are professional football players. The African is married. It is noteworthy that the midfielder is considered a true polyglot, since he speaks fluent five languages, including English, French, Russian, Spanish and one of the local dialects of Côte d'Ivoire.

Despite the fact that the leader of the "Manchester City" is already 31 years old, he certainly will be able to please his fans for a long time with an attractive and interesting game. Let's hope that the career of this player is far from over.