Yannick Boli
Yannick Toapri Boli (born 13 January 1988) is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward. His previous clubs include Paris Saint-Germain, Le Havre, Nîmes and Bulgarian Chernomorets. He is the nephew of former France national team player Basile Boli and Lens striker Roger Boli. CareerClubBorn in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, Boli began his playing career with Ligue 1 side PSG, joining them when he was eleven years old.[1] He was part of the side's B team from 2005 to 2007. In 2006, he helped their 18 ans side to win the French 18 ans Championship[1] and in his last season, he was a top scorer. On 6 May 2008, he scored a 77th-minute winner against Ligue 2 side Amiens SC, in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France to send PSG into the final,[2] where he was an unused substitute as they lost 1–0 to Lyon. On playing for PSG, Boli said, "PSG are the club of my dreams and I joined when I was 11. The fact that I'm now playing here with the first team gives me immense pride."[1] Boli was loaned to newly promoted Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC on 18 October 2008 until the end of the 2008–09 season,[3] making his debut seven days later in a 2–1 home win over Valenciennes at Stade Jules Deschaseaux.[4] He made a total of eleven league appearances, before returning to PSG in July 2009. On 19 August 2009, Boli joined English Championship side Blackpool on trial,[5] with Sky Sports reporting that he could be about to sign a one-year loan deal with the Seasiders. Boli said, "I am happy to be here in England, hopefully it (the move) will happen for me."[6] The Blackpool Gazette then claimed it was unlikely Boli would sign,[7] however The Times reported that he was expected to move to Blackpool on loan after a medical planned for 24 August.[8] In September 2011, Boli joined London based football agency Pro Sports Agency. He signed with Bulgarian A PFG club Chernomorets Burgas in February 2012 after a one-week trial period.[9][10] On 18 February 2013, he was sold to Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk for a fee of 300.000 €. He signed a two-year contract.[11] On 29 August 2014, Boli was announced as an Anzhi Makhachkala player, signing a four-year contract.[12] In November 2014, Boli was awarded Best Goal of the month and awarded the 1FNL Best Players on the Football National League official website.[13] After joining the club, managed by Sergei Tashuyev, Boli was introduced very slowly into the starting lineup. On his first game against SKA-Energia, he came on as a substitute player for just on 28 minutes. He has scored 26 goals in 62 appearances for the Dagestan based FC Anzhi Makhachkala.[14] On 16 January 2017, Boli signed a two and half years contract with UAE Arabian Gulf League club Al Ain FC.[15] On 18 January 2017, Al Ain decided to void the contract after "additional demands were made by Anzhi and Boli".[16] On 24 February 2017, Boli joined Chinese side Dalian Yifang,[17] and scored 16 goals to promote the team to 2018 Chinese Super League. On 15 March 2018, Boli signed a one-year deal with Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids.[18] Boli joined Thai League 1 club Ratchaburi Mitr Phol F.C. in the 2019 season.[19] He scored a debut hat-trick on 22 February 2019.[20] InternationalBoli holds dual French and Ivorian nationality. In 2008, ahead of the Summer Olympics in China, he chose to represent the Ivory Coast. "I'm lucky enough to have dual Franco-Ivorian nationality and I'm proud of my African roots," he said. "I've followed the Elephants a lot in the last few years and I feel there's an interesting situation there. Because of that, I didn't hesitate in choosing that country's shirt." In March 2008, he was called up by manager Gérard Gili to the Ivory Coast Olympics team.[1] In 2010 he played the Toulon Tournament with Ivory Coast.[21] Personal lifeYannick is the oldest brother of Kévin Boli and nephew of former Marseille and French international defender Basile Boli, and former Lens striker Roger Boli.[1] His cousin Yohan Boli currently plays for Al-Rayyan.[22] Career statisticsClub
HonoursDalian Yifang References
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