Bakary Soro

Bakary Soro

Personal information
Full name	Bakary Soro
Date of birth	(1985-12-05) 5 December 1985
Place of birth	Anyama, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire
Height
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Osmanlıspor
Number	52
Youth career
	Académie de Sol Beni
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2006	ASEC Mimosas
2006–2007	Charlton Athletic	0	(0)
2007–2008	→ Germinal Beerschot (loan)	5	(0)
2008–2009	Lorient	11	(0)
2009–2013	Arles-Avignon	107	(2)
2013–2014	Orduspor	32	(2)
2014–	Osmanlıspor	29	(2)
International career‡
2005	Ivory Coast U20	≥3	(0)
2010	Burkina Faso	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 04 June 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 February 2008

Bakary Soro (born 5 December 1985 in Anyama, Abidjan) is a football defender who currently plays for Turkish club Osmanlıspor. He has represented Cote d'Ivoire at under-20 level and Burkina Faso in an exhibition game.

Career

Soro grew up in Anyama, the same Abidjan suburb as Ivorian internationals Arouna, and Bakari Koné, and in similar fashion to the latter, began his career at homeland club ASEC Mimosas, coming through their famed Académie de Sol Beni youth academy, run by Jean-Marc Guillou, before moving on to the ASEC first team.

Soro's success did not go unnoticed, as he was called up to the Ivorian senior side for the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon on 5 October 2006, along with fellow ASEC player Didier Ya Konan. The team won 5–0, whilst Soro was an unused substitute.

In November 2006, it was reported that he and Ya Konan had been granted trials with Premiership club Charlton Athletic, with the London-based side eventually signing him.

In January 2007, he signed a loan deal with Belgium Jupiler League Club Germinal Beerschot, making four appearances. In August 2007 Soro moved to French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient, establishing himself in the first team for the 2008–09 season.

Soro left Lorient in September 2009, joining Arles on a free transfer in December 2009.

International career

Soro represented Ivory Coast at the 2005 African Youth Championship and was named captain during the tournament. He played in games against Mali, Benin and Nigeria. Ivory Coast were eliminated at the group stage.

Soro later switched international allegiance to Burkina Faso and participated in an exhibition game in Cannes against Gabon on 6 September 2010. He came on as a second-half substitute, making his debut under controversial Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte. Duarte gave international débuts to several non-Burkinabé players during his time as Burkina Faso head coach.

In 2012, it was announced that Burkina Faso had named Soro in their provisional squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

External links

• Profile on MTNfootball.com
• Soro named in Ivory Coast squad
• Ya Konan and Soro having trials at Charlton
• Soro joins Germinal Beerschot
• Soro in loan deal from Charlton
• Soro at Sky Sport
• Soro at Oleole
• Soro at lfp.fr
• Soro at FC Lorient Official Website
• Feature article on Soro French
• Soro joins Lorient
• Soro at Football.co.uk
• Soro at CNN