Alain Traoré

Sibiri Alain Traoré (born 31 December 1988) is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a striker for Arta/Solar7, and the Burkina Faso national team. He started his career with local side Planète Champion, before moving to France as a 17-year-old.

Club career Traoré began his career with Planète Champion in his homeland. He came to prominence whilst playing for Burkina Faso in the 2005 African U-17 Championship, with his performances earning him a one-month trial with English Premier League side Manchester United. He impressed in his trials, but was not able to sign for them due to work permit issues. He had the option of going on loan to a Belgian club, but also had interest from French Ligue 1 side Auxerre. With the decision of his mother, he joined the French side instead.

On 4 January 2009, he was loaned out to Brest for six months. He returned to Auxerre on 31 June 2009.

Traoré became a central figure in the Auxerre team. In July 2012, he joined Ligue 1 side Lorient after Auxerre were relegated to Ligue 2.

On 31 January 2015, Traoré moved on loan to Monaco till the end of the 2014–15 season, with an option for Monaco to make the deal permanent.

In July 2018, he joined Moroccan team RS Berkane on a free transfer and was part of their Confederation Cup participating side. He also scored a goal in their Confederation Cup group stage match against Sudanese team Al-Hilal.

International career Traoré represented Burkina Faso at under-17 level, where they qualified for the 2005 African U-17 Championship. He scored one goal in the 3–1 defeat to Mali. He also scored one goal in the 2012 African Cup of Nations, versus Angola. He scored the goal (in the sixth minute of injury time), which took Burkina Faso through to the 2013 African Cup of Nations at the expense of the Central African Republic, and then scored three goals in the 2013 final tournament itself.

On 4 February 2017, Traoré scored a wonderful free kick against Ghana in the third-place playoff in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. The goal was scored in the 89th minute and went on to win the bronze medal for Burkina Faso.

Personal life Traoré's younger brother, Bertrand, is a professional footballer. The two were part of the Burkina Faso squad for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Career statistics

Club

International Scores and results list Burkina Faso's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Traoré goal.

Honors RS Berkane CAF Confederation Cup: 2019–20

Burkina Faso Africa Cup of Nations bronze: 2017