Kolo Toure, also known as Kolo Habib Touré was born on March 19th, 1981 in Ivory Coast, West Africa and currently plays for Arsenal. Kolo Toure is a well-renowned centre-back, with full capabilities to play as a full-back, and anywhere across midfield, and is currently Arsenal’s longest serving player in the club. Kolo Toure, as of February 2002, is Arsenal’s most qualified central defender and a solid favourite amoung fans. Kolo Toure has been described as a powerful player with strength and pace, especially for his expert ability to notice when a ball is being played through the middle. Furthermore, Kolo Toure gets the crowd on its feet and hanging on to the edge, when he breaks out in running to pose a threat to opposition defenses. Kolo Toure received his first cap in 2002, when he played a key role as Ivory Coast qualified for the first World Cup, and was one of the outstanding performers in Germany. Arsenal became first aware of Kolo Tour’es talent through Belgium Club KSK Beveren that had links through Guillou to Ivory Coast Football. Following a short trial period, Kolo Toure joined Arsenal in February 2002 from ASEC Mimosas for £150,000 and due to his international status, Toure was able to obtain a British work permit.
During his 2002-03 season, Kolo Toure did not make his first debut for the team, only until the next season against Liverpool, did Toure appear as a midfielder and defense. At the beginning of his 2003-04 season, Kolo Toure started to play more frequently as a central defender alongside Sol Campbell with whom he formed a strong partnership, making Arsenal the first team to go undefeated in the Premier League for more than 100 years. Kolo Toure made himself a reputation for being an attacking defender, and even though he only scored one goal, and had one assist, Toure had many runs forward and from set-pieces. Following his time with Arsenal, Kolo Tour established himself as one of the very best center-backs in the Premier League and became a permanent fixture in the Arsenal starting eleven and a fan’s favourite. After his exceptional display in the Champions League, Kolo Toure is now regarded as one of the best in the world as a defense footballer. The Italian press labelled Kolo Toure as the ‘African Fabio Cannavaro’ making Toure the best defender in the world after the UEFA Champions League in 2006 has regarded Kolo Toure. In August 2006, Kolo Toure signed a four-year contract for an estimated £70,000 a week with Arsenal, quoting “I can see myself staying here [at Arsenal] for the rest of my career,” said Touré. “Why would I want to leave? I love my football here, my family is settled here and the club is ambitious. It is fantastic.”
