*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:35, 20 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:31, 14 October 2024 (UTC)
Youssouf Fofana[2] was born on 10 January 1999 in Paris.[3] He is of Malian and Ivorian descent.[4]
Club career
Strasbourg
Fofana began his career with various youth academies in Paris, before joining the youth academy of Strasbourg on 21 February 2017.[5] He made his professional debut with Strasbourg in a 2–0 Ligue 1 loss to Lyon on 24 August 2018.[6]
Monaco
Fofana played his final game for Strasbourg on 25 January 2020, a 3–1 away win over Monaco.[7] Four days later, he was signed by Monaco for €15 million,[8][9] and made his debut on 1 February, playing 71 minutes of a 3–1 away defeat to Nîmes.[10] On 25 November 2021, Fofana scored his first goal for Monaco, the winning goal in a 2–1 UEFA Europa League victory at home over Real Sociedad.[11] He scored his first league goal with the club in a 4–2 home defeat to Troyes on 31 August 2022.[12]
AC Milan
On 17 August 2024, Fofana completed his move to Serie A club AC Milan, signing a four-year contract until 30 June 2028. He chose the kit number 29.[13]
On 14 September 2024, Milan won 4–0 against Venezia in the Serie A. The second goal, a header following the corner kick, had initially been attributed to Matteo Gabbia prior to Fofana being credited with goal after a review.[14]
International career
Fofana was a youth international for France from under-19 to under-21 level.[15]
On 18 November 2023, Fofana scored his first goal with France, the seventh goal of a 14–0 win over Gibraltar in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.[21] In the following match against Greece, he scored in a goal from twenty-five metres out in a 2–2 draw.[22]
Style of play
Fofana usually plays as a box-to-box midfielder with primarily defensive duties. His main qualities are his physical strength, stamina, and the ability to press opponents to win back possession of the ball.[23]
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