Mohamed Toure (soccer, born 2004)

Mohamed Toure (born 26 March 2004) is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Danish Superliga club Randers. Born a Liberian refugee in Guinea, he represents the Australia national team.

Toure was raised in the suburbs of South Australia. He began his professional career at Adelaide United making his debut and scoring his first goal for the club in February 2020, as the third youngest debutant and youngest goalscorer in A-League history at the age of 15. Following his breakthrough season, he joined Stade de Reims, initially playing in the reserves before making his first-team debut in May 2023.

Early life
Mohamed Toure was born on 26 March 2004 in a refugee camp in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, the second oldest among seven siblings. His parents, Amara and Mawa Toure, were originally from Frelah, a town in the Salala District of Liberia, and belonged to the Mandingo ethnic group. Displaced by the First Liberian Civil War, Toure's family fled to safety in Guinea when the war reached the town on 23 May 1990. His family spent 14 years in a Guinean refugee camp before moving to Australia on 26 November 2004 after Toure's father met an aid worker named Kristine Galloway who encouraged him to consider moving there. His parents evaluated other countries, namely Canada or United States, to call home but chose Australia believing they were more likely to encounter kind-hearted people there.

At the time of their arrival, the Toures initially settled on Prospect Road at Blair Athol before later moving to Croydon and Clearview in South Australia, a decision made by the government and Mohamed's uncle, Ali. Toure grew up in a tight-knit Islamic family that shared a love for football. During his childhood years, he spent a significant amount of time playing the sport with his brothers, Al Hassan and Musa, on the football field across from their house. Displaying immense talent from a young age, Toure was selected to join the local club Croydon Kings, where he would spend most of his youth career alongside his brothers.

Adelaide United
Toure joined A-League club Adelaide United in 2020, starting in the Adelaide United Youth squad that played in A-League Youth and NPL South Australia. On 8 February 2020, Toure made his A-League debut in a 2–1 win against Brisbane Roar becoming the third youngest debutant in the league at 15 years and 320 days old behind Teeboy Kamara (15 years, 212 days) and Idrus Abdulahi (15 years, 216 days). Additionally, he became the second youngest debutant for Adelaide United. On 13 February 2020, Toure signed his first professional contract with Adelaide United, a three-year scholarship deal that would keep him at the club until 2023. Bruce Djite, the club's director, expressed his praise for Toure, stating that he believes the scholarship contract will provide Toure with a clear pathway to continue his development as a professional player.

On 14 February 2020, Toure scored his first goal for the club in the 84th minute of a 2–0 home win against Central Coast Mariners. At the age of just 15 years and 325 days, he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the A-League. In an Original Rivalry match, on 23 January 2021, Toure scored the winning goal to secure 1–0 win for his side by full time. On April 2, 2022, Mohamed Toure started in the Original Rivalry match against Melbourne Victory, to where Adelaide United suffered a 1–0 defeat. Unfortunately, in the 21st minute of the match, he suffered a dislocated shoulder that forced him out of the game and the rest of the season. This injury would eventually mark the end of his time with the club, as he had already agreed to a transfer to another team.

Reims
On 10 June 2022, Toure, alongside his Adelaide teammate and cousin Yaya Dukuly, transferred to Ligue 1 club Reims, for an undisclosed fee. Adapting to the French culture and language, Toure was initially put into the reserve team that played in Championnat National 2. After showing impressive form in Reims B team, scoring 8 goals in 14 league appearances, Toure made his Ligue 1 debut for the club on 6 May 2023 in a 1–0 home win against Lille, coming off the bench in the 84th minute for Folarin Balogun. With his debut, he became the second Australian to play in the top flight of France in recent years since Denis Genreau for Toulouse in 2022.

2023–present: Loan to Paris FC
On 3 August 2023, it was confirmed that Toure was sent on loan to Ligue 2 side Paris FC, who had monitored him prior to the announcement. He received the number 19 ahead of the 2023–24 Ligue 2 season.

Toure made his club debut as a substitute on 13 August in a 2–0 defeat to Grenoble Foot at Stade des Alpes.

International career
Toure is eligible to represent Australia, having lived there through his childhood, Guinea, through his birth and Liberia, through his parents. He had been contacted by Australia for training camps but was injured at the time. He had also come in contact with Guinea and Liberia but a decision was not made.

In August 2023, Toure received his first call-up for Australia in their U23 campaign of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Style of play
Toure is a skilful forward who utilizes his pace and physical strength effectively in the attacking third. He is capable of scoring goals in various styles and also enjoys contributing to the build-up play. At Adelaide United, he often received the ball near the line, using his pace and strength to beat defenders and deliver the ball into the box for his teammates. Toure's impressive physique, speed, and dribbling skills allow him to carry the ball for long distances without being dispossessed, sometimes resulting in fouls being the only way to stop him.

Family
Toure has an older brother, Al Hassan Toure, and a younger brother, Musa Toure who both had made league appearances with Adelaide United. He also has a sister, Mariam, who plays in the South Australian women’s football league. His father was also a footballer in Guinea before taking the role of a teacher and an uncle who had played in NPL South Australia.

Philanthropy
On 22 June 2023, Toure, alongside Croydon’s technical director Mark Brazzale, arranged a charity match involving Australian football players of African descent in order to inspire African kids to play football and raise money to pay for the kids' fees in football. The game involved the likes of his two brothers, Al Hassan and Musa, Panashe Madanha, Charles M'Mombwa and Yaya Dukuly whilst the kits were supplied by Awer Mabil.