Ismaël Bangoura
Personal information
Date of birth	January 2, 1985 (1985-01-02) (age 24)
Place of birth	Conakry, Guinea
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Stade Rennais F.C.
Number	21
Youth career
0000–2005	Athlético de Coléah
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2003–2005 2005–2007 2007–2009 2009–	Gazélec Ajaccio Le Mans Dynamo Kyiv Rennes	44 (15) 56 (18) 46 (28) 07 0(2)
National team2
2005–	Guinea	37 (19)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 14, 2009. 2 National team caps and goals correct as of December 15, 2008. * Appearances (Goals)

Ismaël Bangoura (born 2 January 1985 in Conakry) is a Guinean football striker who plays for French association football side Stade Rennais F.C. and the Guinea national team.

Bangoura's favourite position is striker. Also, he has played as an winger and attacking midfielder.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Early career

Bangoura began his career at local side Athlético Coléah, before being spotted by scouts from French amateurs Gazélec Ajaccio. He joined the Corsican side, scoring 15 times in 44 games for his new club, before moving to French Ligue 1 side Le Mans in 2005. He made his debut on November 5, 2005 against French giants Marseille, starting his top-flight career in perfect style with a goal in his sides 3–0 victory. He ended his first season having played 23 times, scoring a respectable six goals. He was the top scorer for Le Mans in the 2006–07 season, with 12 goals in 33 games as well as being the joint second highest scorer in Ligue 1.

[edit] Dynamo Kyiv

On 5 July 2007, Bangoura signed a five-year-contract with Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv.^[1] The transfer fee was estimated to be around €5 million. Ismaël quickly became a fan favourite, and established himself as a talented goal scorer. Bangoura's other notable feature is his goal celebration, where he performs with fellow teammate and Senegalese international defender Pape Diakhaté, resembling an African dance^[2] .

Playing in Kiev gave Bangoura the chance to showcase his abilities in European competition, with the team playing in the 2007-08 season. The forward made the most of the opportunity, scoring three goals in three games for the Ukrainians, including a 25-yard strike against English Premier League champions Manchester United in his sides 4–2 defeat on 23 October 2007. Bangoura also scored two goals against Dynamo's main rival, Shakhtar Donetsk on November 11, 2007, which ended in a 2–1 win.

On 5 April, Bangoura was linked with a £7 million move to Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Everton and Fulham.^[3]

Bangoura scored in the UEFA Cup second leg in a 3–0 win against Paris-Saint Germain, sending Dynamo Kyiv to the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by rivals Shakhtar Donetsk after drawing 1–1 in the first leg and losing the second with 2–1, although Bangoura equalized with 1–1.

[edit] Stade Rennes

On 02 July 2009 Stade Rennais F.C. signed the Guinean forward on a four year-deal from Dynamo Kyiv^[4] in an €11 million transfer deal. ^[5] Bangoura scored on his Rennes debut with a superb overhead kick against newly-promoted US Boulogne.

[edit] International career

Bangoura was a member of the Guinea squad for the 2006 African Nations Cup as Guinea were eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing 2-3 to Senegal.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Career history at National Football Teams
• Profile at l'Equipe
• Profile at ESPN

v • d • e Guinea squad – 2006 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Diarso • 2 Feindouno • 3 I. Camara • 4 Kaba • 5 Baldé • 6 Thiam • 7 Mansaré • 8 K. Sylla • 9 S. Bangoura • 10 Ismaël Bangoura • 11 Ibrahima Bangoura • 12 Cissé • 13 O. Bangoura • 14 Souare • 15 Kalabane • 16 A. Bangoura • 17 Diallo • 18 M. Sylla • 19 Diawara • 20 Yattara • 21 Jabi • 22 K. Camara • 23 S. Camara • Coach: Neveu

v • d • e Guinea squad – 2008 Africa Cup of Nations 1 Diarso • 2 Feindouno • 3 I. Camara • 4 M. Cisse • 5 Baldé • 6 Zayatte • 7 Mansaré • 8 Sylla • 9 Correia • 10 Bangoura • 11 Youla • 12 A. Camara • 13 Sakho • 14 Soumah • 15 Kalabane • 16 K. Camara • 17 Diallo • 18 Johnson • 19 K. Cissé • 20 Baldé • 21 Jabi • 22 Yattara • 23 Bah • Coach: Nouzaret