Cherif Traorè

Cherif Traorè (born 10 April 1994) is a Guinea-born Italian rugby union footballer. His usual position is as a prop.

Background Traorè was born in Kindia, Guinea. He has two brothers and a sister. His brothers Mohamed Lamine and Abdoulaye both play association football professionally. When Traorè was young, his father immigrated to Italy before bringing his family over to join him. Traorè was seven years old when he arrived in Italy. His father had emigrated to Europe earlier and "because he missed his wife and children so much, he decided to move us all over". Traorè arrived speaking French but had no knowledge of Italian or the country. He made friends at school who invited him to their homes and helped him adjust. For 2023–24 season, he signed for Stade Montois in French Pro D2.

International career Traorè was part of the Italy national under-20 rugby union team from 2012 to 2014. At the age of 19, the Parma player joined the Under 20s and participated in the Six Nations tournament in 2013 and 2014 and was called up for the editions of the world championship in the same years.

He has also been part of the Italy national team squad since 2018. After participating in training for the 2018 Six Nations Championship, Traorè was called up by technical commissioner Conor O'Shea for the summer tour of the Italy national team in Japan where he made his international debut, replacing Andrea Lovotti in the victory against Japan on June 16 in Kobe. He then also played in all the autumn test matches.

On the 14 October 2021, he was selected by Alessandro Troncon to be part of an Italy A 28-man squad for the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals.