David Diatro Fofana is going to sign for Chelsea. The English club announced this Wednesday, December 28, an agreement with Molde. The young Ivorian nugget brought 12 million euros to his Norwegian club. Here are three things to know about the native of Ouaragahio.
In local selection at 17 years old
David Datro Fofana celebrated his 20th birthday just one week ago on December 22. And yet, the young Ivorian has been a local international for three years. The forward wore the local Elephants' jersey for the first time on September 22, 2019. It was during a match of the CHAN 2020 qualifiers. He was playing at the time at AFAD Djekanou (D1) but on loan from Abidjan City (D3). Powerful, fast and able to play on all fronts of the attack, Datro Fofana has quickly attracted several scouts from European clubs. Last November, he earned his first two caps for the Ivory Coast senior team.
Chelsea FC has reached a pre-agreement with Molde FK for the transfer of David Datro Fofana. 🤝
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 28, 2022
Agreement with Angers
France could have been the first country in Europe to discover the Ivorian nugget. Contacted by many European clubs to offer David Datro Fofana, Abidjan City announced that they had reached an agreement with SCO Angers for a signature. But the entourage of the striker does not take into account this agreement and goes against all odds to Molde in Norway. "At first I liked what Angers offered me. But Molde was a real favorite for me. In the past I had already come and the way I was welcomed made me change my mind and it made my heart lean towards the team of Molde" said the Ivorian a year after his signature with the Norwegian club.
David Datro Fofana, scorer in his first game in Europe
Despite the controversy surrounding his transfer, the Norwegian cold and the Covid-19 pandemic, David Datro Fofana has no problem adapting to his new life in Europe. The Ivorian striker scored in his first official game with Molde. It was in Europa League on February 18, 2021. While his team is trailing (3-1) at home by Hoffeinheim, his coach launched him at the 64th minute. He will score the equalizer at 3-3, ten minutes after his entry. "I don't really know how to describe to you what it gave me. It's a lot of joy, but you have to live it to understand it," he said of that first goal. Today, when he joins Chelsea, he has 24 goals and 10 assists in 64 appearances for the Norwegian club.
