Mamadou Tounkara

Mamadou Tounkara

Personal information
Full name	Mamadou Tounkara
Date of birth	(1996-01-19) 19 January 1996
Place of birth	Blanes, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Salernitana (on loan from Lazio)
Number	11
Youth career
2009–2012	Barcelona
2011	→ Farners (loan)
2012–2015	Lazio
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–	Lazio	1	(0)
2015–2016	→ Crotone (loan)	7	(1)
2016	→ Salernitana (loan)	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:15, 7 March 2016 (UTC)

Mamadou Tounkara (born 19 January 1996) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Salernitana.

Career

Early career

Born in Blanes, Girona, Catalonia, to Senegalese parents, Tounkara first began playing football with FC Barcelona's youth academy. In 2011, he was loaned to Centre D'Esports Farners in Selva. Tounkara had a release clause of 3 million euro written into his Barcelona contract but injuries saw the club lose interest in the striker.

Lazio

After his Barcelona contract expired, Serie A club Lazio signed Tounkara to a three-year deal in August 2012. In Rome, he joined his former Barcelona teammate Keita Baldé Diao. Tounkara spent his first two seasons with the club playing in the Primavera youth team, first under Alberto Bollini and later under Simone Inzaghi. As a promsing player, he was also selected to join the senior squad at pre-season camp in Auronzo di Cadore.

Having been training with the first team, Tounkara made his Serie A debut in the final match of the 2013-14 season, which Lazio won 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico against Bologna. Tounkara came off the bench to replace Miroslav Klose in the 81st minute of the game.

Crotone (loan)

In July 2015, Mamadou Tounkara was transferred to Crotone on loan. The deal included a buy-out option for Crotone, while Lazio have a buy-back option.

Salernitana (loan)

On 1 February 2016, Tounkara joined Salernitana on loan until the end of the season.

International career

Tounkara is eligible to represent both Spain and Senegal at international level. In 2012, he received a call-up to the Spanish under-17 side.