Kalidou Koulibaly
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SSC Napoli Season 2016-2017
Personal information
Full name
Kalidou Koulibaly
Date of birth
20 June 1991
Place of birth
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France
Height
1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position
Centre back
Club information
Current team
Napoli
Number
26
Youth career
Saint-Dié
1999-2004
Metz
2004-2006
Saint-Dié
2006-2009
Metz
2009-2010
Senior career
Metz
2010-2012
42x apps / 1x goal
Genk
2012-2014
64x apps / 3x goals
Napoli
2014-
60x apps / 1x goal
National team
France U20
2011-2012
11x apps / 0x goal
Senegal
2015-
6x apps / 0x goal
(* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 May 2016 (UTC) - National team caps and goals correct as of September 2015)
Kalidou Koulibaly is a Senegalese footballer who plays as centre back for Serie A club Napoli.
He is recognised for his passing ability and versatility, as he can play as a central defender, right back or defensive midfielder.
Early life
Koulibaly was born on 20 June 1991, to Senegalese parents in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France.
His footballing career began with local club SR Saint-Dié.
Career
Early career
Koulibaly began his career playing for hometown club SR Saint-Dié and spent two seasons playing on the club's senior team in the Championnat de France amateur 2, before joining the academy of professional club Metz on 1 July 2009.
While at Metz, Koulibaly helped the club's under-19 team win the 2009-10 Coupe Gambardella after the team defeated Sochaux 5:4 on penalties in the final.
He also played on the club's amateur team in the Championnat de France amateur appearing in 15 matches as Metz were crowned champions of the league finishing with 107 points.
Metz
Prior to the start of the 2010-11 season, Koulibaly signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal.
He was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team by new manager Dominique Bijotat.
Koulibaly made his professional debut on 20 August 2010 in a league match against Vannes.
He appeared as a substitute in a 1:0 victory.
K.R.C. Genk
On 29 June 2012, Koulibaly joined Belgian club Racing Genk after agreeing to a four-year deal.
On 23 August 2012, Koulibaly made his Racing Genk debut in a UEFA Europa League play-off qualifying round, in which they were defeated by Swiss side Luzern 2:1 in the first leg of two.
On 23 December 2012, Koulibaly scored his first Racing Genk goal in a 4:2 home defeat to Anderlecht, in which he scored a free header from a corner.
Napoli
On 2 July 2014, Koulibaly joined Serie A side S.S.C. Napoli on a five-year deal, for a fee around the margin of £6.5 million. Koulibaly was given the number 26 upon arrival.
On 19 August 2014, Koulibaly made his debut in a UEFA Champions League play-off round qualifier, in which Napoli drew 1:1 with Athletic Bilbao.
Napoli went on to lose the second leg 3:1, therefore sending them out of the competition.
On 24 September 2014, almost a month later after making his Napoli debut, Koulibaly scored his first goal for the Italian side in a 3:3 draw with Palermo, in which he nodded home a header from an inviting ball in.
International career
Kalidou Koulibaly was born and raised in France by Senegalese parents, and was therefore eligible for both nations. He played for the U-20 French side starting in 2011.
However, in early September 2015, Koulibaly changed federations and joined the Senegal national football team, despite the interest to call him for Les Bleus from Didier Deschamps.
He made his debut on 5 September 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia in a 2:0 victory.