Mali forward El Bilal Toure has joined Bundesliga outfit VFB Stuggart on a one-year loan deal from the Italian Serie A side Atalanta, Afrosport reports.
The German side has an option to buy the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations champion if certain criteria are met and the move signifies a breath of fresh air for the forward.
The 22-year-old forward joined Atalanta on transfer deadline in the summer of 2023 for a reported €30 million transfer fee as a direct replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who joined Manchester United earlier that summer.
However, the club’s record signing failed to live up to his price tag as he only found the back of the net twice in 11 Serie A outings, and three from a total of 17 appearances in the 2023/2024 season.
Atalanta and VFB Stuggart both confirmed the deal on their official social media handles.
🆕⚪️🔴
VfB sign El Bilal Touré 🙌VfB have bolstered their attack by recruiting El Bilal Touré on loan for the season from Europa League winners @Atalanta_BC.
Welcome to Stuttgart, @El_bilal9 🤝#VfB pic.twitter.com/CFArwrs2kC
— VfB Stuttgart_int (@VfB_int) August 23, 2024
Born in Adjame, Ivory Coast, Bilal Toure started his youth career with Afrique Football Elite in 2016 before signing his first professional contract with Reims in 2020.
The bulky forward announced himself on the global scene on the 26th of February 2023, with his goal for Almeria in their 1-0 win against Barcelona, which marked the club’s first victory over the Spanish giants in their history.
