One to Watch: David Datro Fofana - on the comeback trail

At the age of just 23, David Datro Fofana is now playing in his sixth country in his young career. Who is the Ivory Coast international, signed by RC Strasbourg Alsace during the winter transfer window?

A big move at a young age

Beginning in his native Ivory Coast, he made the move to Molde as a teenager, and his performances in Norway quickly caught the eyes of a European giant in the form of Chelsea. In the physical and dynamic striker, they saw a burgeoning talent, not entirely dissimilar to that of Erling Haaland, who also came through the ranks at Molde.

But with competition for places very fierce at Stamford Bridge, Fofana couldn't establish himself. He would make just four appearances for the first team and then would come a succession of loan spells. He would call this period of his early career a "disaster".

At Union Berlin, he would score just twice in 17 appearances. It was a fourth country for Fofana at the age of just 20; he was in need of stability but would not find it. That loan spell in Germany was cut short after just six months and he would finish the season at Chelsea's Premier League rivals, Burnley.

David Datro Fofana debut. ✅

First goal. 🔜🇨🇮
pic.twitter.com/DLKNbREP4Q
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) February 7, 2026

That spell with the Clarets would prove to be more fruitful, as the Ivorian would score four goals in 15 games, but he would leave Chelsea once again that summer, joining Goztepe in Turkey. That loan move (nine appearances, two goals) wouldn't work out, but another, to Karagumruk, would.

It is there that Fofana succeeded in getting back on track earlier this season, netting eight goals in 15 appearances for the club. That loan ended in January and then came another loan, his fourth since 2023, to Strasbourg.

'[My journey] wasn't linear, but it was necessary' - Fofana

There is a precedent. Plenty before him (Diego Moreira, Mamadou Sarr, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders) have made a success out of their moves from Chelsea to Strasbourg and Fofana will now seek to do the same after a difficult period.

"Those [loan] moves exposed my weaknesses, but they also shaped my character. Today, I see that this journey has taught me humility, patience, and perspective. It wasn't linear, but it was necessary," said the new Strasbourg signing.

Fofana says that he has had a "reset", one which is now allowing him to "move forward". He will look to do so at the Meinau, but as was the case at Chelsea, he will have to contend with some serious competition. Emanuel Emegha plays in the same position, is club captain, and is going to make the opposite move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, whilst only Marseille's Mason Greenwood has scored more than another of RCSA's strikers, Joaquin Panichelli.

Fofana came off the bench to register his first minutes in a Strasbourg shirt in the Coupe de France win over Monaco last week; he will be hoping that they are the first of many.

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