Kalidou Koulibaly
Encyclopedia
Kalidou Koulibaly is a French
football
player who currently plays for French club Metz
in Ligue 2
. He plays as a defensive midfielder
and is also capable of playing in the center of defense. 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 his current club 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.
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 and assigned the number 25 shirt 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.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who currently plays for French club Metz
FC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
in Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
. He plays as a defensive midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
and is also capable of playing in the center of defense. Koulibaly began his career playing for hometown club SR Saint-Dié
SR Saint-Dié
Sporting Réunis Saint-Dié is a French association football team. They are based in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, Lorraine, France and are currently playing in the Championnat de France Amateurs 2 Group B, the fifth tier in the French football league system....
and spent two seasons playing on the club's senior team in the Championnat de France amateur 2 before joining the academy of his current club on 1 July 2009. While at Metz, Koulibaly helped the club's under-19 team win the 2009–10 Coupe Gambardella
2009–10 Coupe Gambardella
The 2009–10 Coupe Gambardella was the 55th edition of the French cup competition reserved for male under-19 football players. The competition is organized by the French Football Federation. The final was contested on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France and served as a curtain raiser for the 2009–10...
after the team defeated Sochaux
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Football Club Sochaux-Montbéliard is a French association football club based in the city of Montbéliard. The club was founded in 1928 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top tier of French football. Sochaux plays its home matches at the Stade Auguste Bonal located within the city...
5–4 on penalties in the final
2010 Coupe Gambardella Final
The 2010 Coupe Gambardella Final was the 55th final of France's youth cup competition. The final took place on 1 May 2010 at the Stade de France in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis and served as a curtain raiser for the final of the Coupe de France. The match was contested between Sochaux and Metz...
. 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.
Prior to the start of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Ligue 2
The 2010–11 Ligue 2 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Caen were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 22 May 2010 and the season began on 6 August and ended on 27 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between 22 December and 14 January 2011...
, Koulibaly signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal. He was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team and assigned the number 25 shirt by new manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
Dominique Bijotat
Dominique Bijotat
Dominique Bijotat is a former professional French football midfielder from France, who obtained eight international caps for the French national team during the 1980s.-Career:...
. Koulibaly made his professional debut on 20 August 2010 in a league match against Vannes
Vannes OC
Vannes Olympique Club is a French association football club based in Vannes. The club was formed relatively late in 1998 as a result of a merger and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Vannes plays its home matches at the Stade de la Rabine located within the city...
. He appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 victory.