Hamed Junior Traore reunites with De Zerbi at Marseille

Hamed Junior Traore has joined Olympique de Marseille on loan from English Premier League side Bournemouth. The Ivorian international will spend the season at the Stade Velodrome.

Traore scored ten league goals while on loan at Auxerre last season. His attacking prowess had long been noticed by the Marseille hierarchy, as coach Roberto De Zerbi had planned a move for the 25-year-old midfielder.

“This summer, we immediately thought of Traore. He is a very good player, he has already played in France, and I have already coached him. He can occupy two or three different positions in attack,” De Zerbi said.

Traore previously worked with De Zerbi during his time at Italian side Empoli. He also made a Premier League appearance for Bournemouth this season. Marseille retains the option to buy out his contract and make the move permanent.

Hamed Junior Traore has been an Ivorian international since 2021. He has previously played for Italian clubs Sassuolo and Napoli. He was also a key member of the Ivory Coast U23 national team that reached the final of the 2019 African U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

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