Méry Traoré (born 20 December 2003) is a Malian professional football player who plays as a forward for Lithuanian club Kauno Žalgiris.

Méry Traoré
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-12-20) 20 December 2003 (age 20)
Place of birth Kalabancoro, Mali
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Kauno Žalgiris
Youth career
Diarra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Diarra[1] (11)
2023Ilves (loan) 10 (3)
2023Ilves II (loan) 1 (0)
2024– Kauno Žalgiris 1 (0)
2024– Kauno Žalgiris B 21 (6)
International career
2022 Mali U20 1 (0)
Medal record
Ilves
First place Finnish Cup 2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 August 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 4 November 2023

Career

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In July 2023, Traoré joined Finnish Veikkausliiga club Ilves on loan until the end of the 2023 season with the option to buy.[2][3][4] Having travelled to Europe from his native Mali in order to undergo a trial with a club in Austria, he joined Ilves following a breakdown in talks.[5] In January 2024, he departed the club with the option for a second year's loan deal not having been taken.[6] During his time with the club he scored three goals, contributing as his side won the 2023 Finnish Cup, an unused substitute in the final.[7][8][9]

In March 2024, Traoré joined Lithuanian A Lyga club Kauno Žalgiris, initially joining up with the club's B team in I Lyga.[10][11]

International career

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In August 2022, Traoré was called up to the Mali U20 squad.[12][13]

Honours

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Club

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Ilves

References

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  1. ^ Tournoi de montée en D1 :Deux fauteuils, neuf prétendants, news.abamako.com, 6 July 2022, in French
  2. ^ 19-VUOTIAS MALILAISHYÖKKÄÄJÄ MÉRY TRAORÉ LIITTYY ILVEKSEN VAHVUUTEEN, Ilves
  3. ^ Ilves solmi uuden pelaajasopimuksen nuoren malilaishyökkääjän kanssa, Aamulehti, Aino Kattilakoski, 21 July 2023
  4. ^ Ilvekselle uusi hyökkääjä ulkomailta – "Kyky tehdä maaleja löytyy", sportti.com, 20 July 2023
  5. ^ Mery Traoré : "Mon but est de monter petit à petit", africafoot.com, in French
  6. ^ MÉRY TRAORÉN LAINASOPIMUS PÄÄTTYY – MERCI MÉRY!, ilvesedustus.fi, 9 January 2024
  7. ^ Tampereella nähtiin melkoinen temppu – tähän tuuletukseen harva pystyy, Ilta-Sanomat, 6 October 2023
  8. ^ Pirkanmaan derbyn tunnelma huipussa: Malilaisjuniori iski Ilvekselle huiman tasoituksen lisäajalla Hakaa vastaan – ”Vaadittiin akrobatiaa”, Aamulehti, Jari Perkiö, 15 September 2023
  9. ^ Ilveksen joukkue kaudelle 2024 rakentuu vauhdilla - Mäenpää, Umar ja Traoré jatkavat, Veikkausliiga, 3 November 2023
  10. ^ "„Kauno Žalgirio" gretose – jaunas puolėjas iš Malio" ["Kaunas Žalgiris" has a young striker from Mali]. zalgiris.lt (in Lithuanian). 16 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  11. ^ Mery Traore, flashscore.fi
  12. ^ Coupe UFOA-A 2022 : Liste officielle des U20 du Mali 24 August 2022
  13. ^ Eliminatoires CAN Junior Egypte 2023: Le sélectionneur des Aiglons affiche de l’optimisme !, 29 August 2022
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