Kolo Touré

1.1. Early Career

Born in Bouaké, Touré began playing football at the age of 18, a relatively late start for a professional footballer, often attributed to his humble background. His talent was quickly recognized, and in 2000, he joined ASEC Mimosas, a prominent Ivorian club, after being scouted by Jean-Marc Guillou, who also managed a football school in Abidjan where Touré received a scholarship. During his time at ASEC Mimosas, Touré demonstrated exceptional versatility, capable of playing across various positions including defensive midfielder, center-back, right-back, attacking midfielder, and winger. He was particularly noted for his impressive speed, which was later remarked upon as being among the fastest at Arsenal, behind only Gaël Clichy and Theo Walcott. Despite not signing a professional contract at ASEC Mimosas, his abilities were evident, leading to his consistent inclusion and regular appearances for the Ivory Coast national team starting in 2000.

1.2. Arsenal

On 14 February 2002, Touré signed a long-term contract with Premier League club Arsenal, joining from ASEC Mimosas for a fee of 150.00 K GBP following a brief trial period. His status as a full international player enabled him to obtain a British work permit, facilitating his move to England.

Touré made his senior debut for Arsenal on 11 August 2002, in the FA Community Shield match against Liverpool FC, where he came on as a substitute. Initially, he was utilized as a utility player, featuring as a defensive midfielder and at right-back. He scored his first goal for Arsenal on 1 September, finding the net against Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal went on to win the FA Cup in the 2002-03 season, though Touré was an unused substitute in the final.

At the start of the 2003-04 season, manager Arsène Wenger transitioned Touré into a central defensive role, partnering him with Sol Campbell. This partnership proved highly effective, forming the bedrock of Arsenal's defense during their historic "Invincibles" season, where they won the Premier League without suffering a single defeat, extending their unbeaten run to 49 consecutive matches. Touré acknowledged Martin Keown as a mentor during this period. He made 37 league appearances and 55 appearances across all competitions that season.

In the 2004-05 season, Touré maintained a significant presence in the squad, often competing with Philippe Senderos and Pascal Cygan for a place alongside Campbell. He played 50 matches that season, scoring one goal in the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich. Arsenal also won another FA Cup in this season.

Touré solidified his position as a first-team regular. In the 2005-06 season, he and Senderos formed a formidable defensive partnership. This pairing was instrumental in Arsenal reaching their first-ever 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, achieved after the team set a European competition record of 10 consecutive clean sheets. On 19 April 2006, Touré scored his second European goal, which was also the last European goal scored at Highbury, in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal CF. This goal effectively decided the tie, sending Arsenal to the final in Paris.

In October 2006, Touré signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. For the 2006-07 season, Touré changed his shirt number from 28 to 5. On 9 January 2007, he captained the club for the first time in a 6-3 League Cup victory away to Liverpool FC. He subsequently led the team in the 2007 Football League Cup final against Chelsea on 25 February, which Arsenal lost 2-1. During the final, his challenge on Mikel John Obi sparked a mass brawl, resulting in Touré's sending off, along with Emmanuel Adebayor and Obi himself. In the 2006-07 season, Touré also contributed significantly to the attack with 3 goals and 3 assists.

On 13 April 2009, reports emerged that Touré had requested a transfer from Arsenal due to a reported bust-up with his defensive partner William Gallas. Although his request was initially turned down by chairman Peter Hill-Wood, Touré later committed to the club until at least the summer.

1.3. Manchester City

Following considerable transfer speculation, Touré completed a move to Manchester City on 28 July 2009, with a reported transfer fee of 14.00 M GBP. After a successful medical, he signed a four-year contract with an option for a fifth. At the time, City had made several high-profile signings, and Touré expressed his ambition to help the club achieve a top-four finish. Manager Mark Hughes appointed him as the club captain.

He scored his first goal for Manchester City in a 2-1 Football League Cup victory over Fulham FC on 23 September 2009. His first league goal for the club came on 7 November 2009 against Burnley FC. Manchester City concluded the season in fifth place, narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot. On 2 July 2010, Touré was joined at Manchester City by his younger brother, Yaya Touré, in a transfer believed to be worth around 24.00 M GBP.

At the beginning of the 2010-11 season, manager Roberto Mancini reassigned the captain's armband to Carlos Tevez. Despite this, Touré remained an integral part of Mancini's plans and a regular in the defense, known for his excellent jumping ability and speed. He was sent off in Manchester City's 2-1 defeat to Everton FC on 20 December 2010. On 15 January 2011, Touré scored the opening goal in a 4-3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, briefly sending City to the top of the league table.

On 3 March 2011, it was announced that Touré had failed a drug test. The World Anti-Doping Agency subsequently imposed a 6-month suspension from football, effective from 2 March 2011. Touré stated that the positive test resulted from taking his wife's diet pills.

In the 2011-12 season, Touré was utilized more as a squad player, making 14 league appearances. His contributions were part of the team that secured Manchester City's first Premier League title in 44 years. In the 2012-13 season, his playing time further decreased, limited to 15 league appearances due to increased competition from other defenders such as Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić, and Joleon Lescott. His contract with Manchester City expired at the end of this season, despite having rejected a move to Trabzonspor to fight for his position.

1.4. Liverpool

On 28 May 2013, Liverpool FC announced that an agreement had been reached to sign Touré on a free transfer from Manchester City. He was officially unveiled on 2 July, receiving the number 4 shirt, previously worn by the recently retired Jamie Carragher. Touré signed a two-year contract with the club.

He made his Premier League debut for Liverpool on 17 August 2013 in a 1-0 victory over Stoke City FC at Anfield. During the 2013-14 season, Touré experienced some notable errors, including an instance on 2 February 2014 against West Bromwich Albion FC where his pass led directly to an opponent's equalizer. Twelve days later, he scored an own-goal against Fulham FC, though Liverpool ultimately won the match. Liverpool were strong contenders for the league title that season; had they won, Touré would have become the first player in English football since World War II to win the league with three different clubs.

On 1 March 2015, he played against his brother Yaya Touré for the first time in a competitive match when Liverpool faced Manchester City, a game Liverpool won 2-1. Touré scored his first Liverpool goal on 14 February 2016, a header from Jordan Henderson's corner, confirming a 6-0 away victory against Aston Villa. This goal was his first in any match since January 2011, and he celebrated exuberantly. At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, Touré was released by Liverpool.

1.5. Celtic

On 24 July 2016, Touré rejoined former manager Brendan Rodgers by signing a one-year contract with Celtic FC. He made his debut on 3 August 2016, coming on as a substitute in Celtic's 2-1 win over FC Astana in a Champions League qualifier.

Touré made 20 appearances during the season as Celtic achieved an unbeaten domestic campaign, securing a treble by winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish League Cup, and Scottish Cup. Following the end of the season, Touré was not offered a new playing contract. In September 2017, he officially announced his retirement from professional playing and immediately took up a coaching role at Celtic.

1.6. Playing Style

Kolo Touré was known primarily as a center-back, but his playing style was characterized by remarkable versatility, allowing him to adapt to various defensive and even midfield roles. Early in his career, he demonstrated the ability to play as a defensive midfielder, right-back, attacking midfielder, and even on the wings.

One of his most notable attributes was his exceptional speed, which, combined with his athleticism and strength, made him a formidable opponent for attackers. He also possessed strong aerial ability, making him effective in both defensive headers and attacking set-pieces. Touré's aggressive and proactive approach to defending was a key feature of his game, often pushing forward to win the ball high up the pitch. However, this offensive mindset, particularly when paired with another attack-minded defender like William Gallas at Arsenal, occasionally led to defensive vulnerabilities. A recognized area for improvement in his game was his awareness of the offside trap, sometimes relying on the assistance of defensive partners like Philippe Senderos. Over time, he also improved his crossing ability, adding another dimension to his game. His powerful performances during the 2005-06 Champions League, particularly against Juventus FC, earned him the nickname "African Cannavaro" from some Italian media outlets, a testament to his impact and defensive prowess at the time. Touré was also known for rarely getting injured during his playing career.

2.1. National Team Debut and Early Years

Touré made his debut for the Ivory Coast national football team in April 2000 in a match against Rwanda. Even before securing a professional club contract, he was a consistent and regular fixture in the national squad, highlighting his early talent and importance to the team. He played in all five matches for the Ivory Coast during the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished as runners-up to the host nation, Egypt. His first international goal came on 28 April 2004, in a friendly match against Guinea.

2.2. Major International Tournaments

Touré was a key member of the Ivory Coast squad that participated in three consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments. He made his World Cup debut on 11 June 2006 in a 2-1 loss to Argentina during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where Ivory Coast was eliminated in the group stage after finishing third in their group. His performances in the tournament, including matches against Netherlands, Argentina, and Serbia and Montenegro, were highly regarded. He was also called up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he notably captained the team in their opening game against Portugal due to Didier Drogba's injury. Touré later participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During the 2014 tournament, he missed the match against Greece following the tragic death of his younger brother, Ibrahim Touré.

In addition to the World Cups, Touré represented the Ivory Coast in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments between 2002 and 2015. He played a crucial role in the team reaching the final twice, finishing as runners-up in both the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. His international career culminated in triumph at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. In the final, Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 9-8 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 0-0. Touré successfully converted the seventh penalty for his team, securing their victory.

2.3. International Retirement

In December 2014, Kolo Touré publicly announced his intention to retire from international football following the conclusion of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He confirmed his retirement on 15 February 2015, just after the Ivory Coast's victory in the tournament. He reflected on his decision, stating that winning the Africa Cup of Nations had been his ultimate goal, and while it was a difficult choice due to his love for his country and football, he acknowledged that "the end comes sometime." His retirement marked a significant moment, as he concluded his international career on the high note of a continental championship victory.

3.1. Assistant Coaching Roles

On 9 August 2017, the Ivorian Football Federation appointed Touré as a new member of their coaching staff, specifically working with the African Nations Championship team and the under-23 squad. Shortly thereafter, in September 2017, he joined Celtic FC's coaching staff as a technical assistant, reuniting with his former manager, Brendan Rodgers. In February 2019, when Brendan Rodgers left Celtic to take over at Leicester City FC, Touré followed him, joining Leicester as a first-team coach, a position he held until 2022.

3.2. Wigan Athletic Manager

On 29 November 2022, Wigan Athletic FC, a club struggling in the Championship (then in 22nd place), appointed Kolo Touré as their first-team manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Expectations were high for him to revitalize the team. However, his tenure proved to be very brief and challenging, lasting only 58 days. On 2 January 2023, his team suffered their third consecutive 4-1 defeat, which caused Wigan to drop to last place in the Championship. On 26 January 2023, Touré was sacked by Wigan Athletic. During his time in charge, the team failed to secure a single victory in nine games, registering three draws and six losses.

4.1. Family

Kolo Touré is the older brother of fellow professional footballers Yaya Touré and the late Ibrahim Touré. Ibrahim tragically passed away from cancer in 2014 at the age of 28. Kolo also has a sister named Belinda.

Touré is married to Awo, and they have a son named Yassine and a daughter named Sania. The family resides in North London. His son, Yassine, has also embarked on a football career, signing a two-year scholarship with Leicester City's academy in December 2021.

4.2. Religious Beliefs

Kolo Touré is a practicing Muslim and observes fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. He has publicly spoken about the impact of his faith, stating that observing Ramadan fasting does not hinder him physically but rather makes him stronger. He believes that one can achieve such discipline "when you believe so strongly in something," emphasizing that "a normal human can be without water for much longer than one day."

5.1. Club Honours

ASEC Mimosas

• Winner: Côte d'Ivoire Premier Division: 2001, 2002
• Winner: CAF Super Cup: 1999

Arsenal

• Winner: Premier League: 2003-04
• Winner: FA Cup: 2002-03, 2004-05
• Winner: FA Community Shield: 2002, 2004
• Runner-up: Football League Cup: 2006-07
• Runner-up: UEFA Champions League: 2005-06

Manchester City

• Winner: Premier League: 2011-12
• Winner: FA Cup: 2010-11
• Winner: FA Community Shield: 2012

Liverpool

• Runner-up: Football League Cup: 2015-16
• Runner-up: UEFA Europa League: 2015-16

Celtic

• Winner: Scottish Premiership: 2016-17
• Winner: Scottish League Cup: 2016-17
• Winner: Scottish Cup: 2016-17

5.2. International Honours

Ivory Coast

• Winner: Africa Cup of Nations: 2015
• Runner-up: Africa Cup of Nations: 2006, 2012

5.3. Individual Honours

• Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2015
• Standard Chartered Liverpool Player of the Month: November 2014

6.1. Club Statistics

6.2. International Statistics

6.3. Managerial Statistics