2004
Premiership Champions (Arsenal) 2004 Charity Shield winner (Arsenal)
Biography
Kolo Abib Touré (born March 19, 1981 in Sokoura Bouake, Côte
d'Ivoire), is an Ivorian footballer. He currently plays for
Arsenal F.C. in England.
Kolo Touré is listed at 1.83m and 76kg. He makes up for a lack
of size with an impressive vertical leap, making him strong in
the air. He is also blessed with blistering speed. He is
regarded as the third fastest player at Arsenal, outpaced only
by Thierry Henry and Theo Walcott. Touré is also considered very
consistent and very durable, with few long term injuries.
Touré joined Arsenal in February 2002 from ASEC Mimosas for
£150,000, after impressing on trial. However, he did not make
his debut for the first team until August of that year, against
Liverpool F.C. in the FA Community Shield. Initially regarded as
a 'utility man', he started his Arsenal career as a midfielder.
However, the ageing Martin Keown was never properly replaced in
the transfer market and Touré was announced as the new starting
central defender.
Touré quickly established himself as one of the best center
backs in the Premiership. He is now a first-choice member of the
team, part of a solid defensive partnership with Sol Campbell.
Since Campbell's injury, he played alongside Philippe Senderos;
both centre backs had immaculate form, helping Arsenal regain
the prowess it had in the previous season (when they were
undefeated in Premiership play).
Kolo has two brothers who play football as well: Yaya Toure and
Ibrahim Toure.
He has played for the Côte d'Ivoire national football team since
2000.
Kolo scored his first European goal on 19 April 2006, a vitally
important winner in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final
against Villarreal. It was to be the final European goal scored
at Highbury; and the goal that effectively decided the tie (the
score remaining 1-0 over two legs), to send Arsenal through to
the final in Paris.
