Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana has completed a season-long loan move to Union Berlin from Chelsea, the German club announced on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old, who moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2023, will spend the 2023–24 season at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei after failing to secure a starting berth with the Blues.
Done Deal: Ivorian forward David Datro Fofana has sealed a season-long loan move to Union Berlin from Chelsea. ✍️#transfers #DatroFofana #CFC #UnionBerlin #Afrosport pic.twitter.com/EgkR7o2fkI
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) July 11, 2023
“Union have developed extremely strongly in the last few years, and it excites me a lot to be a part of this in the coming season,” Fofana said on the club website.
“The club has made a long and hard effort to find me, and now I want to repay that with good performances.”
Fofana previously shone for Norwegian club Molde FK, where he spent the 2021–22 season. He appeared 65 times for the five-time Norwegian champions, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists. The youngster won a title—the Norwegian Cup—in his first season in Europe.
In his second season with Molde, he became a regular in the first team, playing 24 league games and adding 15 goals to lead them to triumph in the Eliteserien, Norway’s first division.
Fofana’s move to England has not been successful so far, as he has only managed four appearances for Chelsea: three in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup.
Union Berlin’s managing director of men’s football, Oliver Ruhnert, revealed his delight at the completion of the deal and highlighted the reasons why the club showed interest in the youngster.
“David’s speed and his flexible offensive qualities are highly interesting for us,” he said. “We want another goal-scoring player who will give our attacking game additional impetus.
A fast attacking forward with a knack for scoring goals, Fofana made his international debut for the Elephants of Ivory Coast in 2019 and has since made two more.
