Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure hopes the joy he had in the Africa Cup this year will be extended to his club in the English Premier League.
Toure, and his brother Kolo, the Liverpool defender, helped Ivory Coast become continental champions after a 9-8 penalty shootout win over Ghana in the final on February 8.
Earlier this season Yaya Toure became the first to be named African Footballer of the Year for a record four years in succession − 2011 to 2014.
Toure was born in Bouake, Ivory Coast, on May 31, 1983. He began his youth career with ASEC Mimosas.
His trip to the English league made several stops as shown:
2001-03: Beveren (70 matches, three goals).
2003-05: Metalurg Donetsk (33 games, three goals).
2005-06: Olympiakos (26 matches, three goals).
2006-07: Monaco (27 games, five nettings).
2007-10: Barcelona (74 matches, four goals).
2010: Manchester City (over 150 games, 45 goals).
International duty with Ivory Coast: 95 matches, 19 goals. Toure’s first appearance for the national team came in the 2006.
His versatility should not be underestimated. In fact, Toure can play effectively in defence and as an attacking midfielder.
Toure’s struggles at the Camp Nou, having to emulate the showing of emerging Spaniard Sergio Busquets, made up his mind to find new pastures and settled for a place in the English Premier League.
He made a big-money move in July 2010, signing a £20m contract with Manchester City where he was reunited with his brother, Kolo.
Toure’s sudden impact on English football over the past four years has been nothing short of devastating. His powerful kind of play immediately endeared himself to the Etihad faithful, particularly after scoring the only goal in City’s FA Cup triumph over Stoke City in 2011 − their first major trophy in 35 years.
As the 2011-12 season came to a close, City appeared to lose ground to Manchester United in the Premier League title race.
However, United suffered hiccups in the straight for home with six matches remaining. A victory over United at the Etihad Stadium on April 29, 2012 would move City to top on goal difference.
The derby was keenly anticipated as one of the most important matches in the Premier League’s 20-year history. Toure’s performance on that occasion garnered many plaudits as a dramatic thriller went City’s way thanks to Vincent Kompany’s only goal of the match.
Toure then netted a brace on May 6 in Man. City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle, moving three points above United with one game left.
He played the first half before coming off due to injury as City defeated QPR 3-2 on the final day of the season, to secure the first league championship for the Sky Blues in 44 years.
In 2012-13, City failed to match the euphoria of the previous season and had to settle for the runners-up place.
In the Community Shield, at the start of season, Toure scored a goal in a 3-2 win over Chelsea but in the Champions League City failed to impress.
In April 2013, Toure signed a new contract with City, keeping him at the club until 2017.
Last season, City, with new manager Manuel Pellegrini in charge, again sent for champagne into their dressing rooms as they claimed another Premier League title.
There was no doubt that City deserved to wrest the crown from United. On their way to the title the Citizens scored 102 goals.
This season, City are still in the running to retain their title but chasing leaders Chelsea.