Sory Kaba
{{short description|Guinean footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sory Kaba
| image = Sory Kaba, RC Lens - Dijon FCO (30-05-2019) 15.jpg
| caption = Kaba with Dijon in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Conakry, Guinea
| height = 1.91 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Elche
(on loan from Las Palmas)
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs1 = Alcobendas
| years1 = 2014–2016
| clubs1 = Alcobendas
| caps1 = 52
| goals1 = 13
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = Elche B
| caps2 = 32
| goals2 = 14
| years3 = 2017–2019
| clubs3 = Elche
| caps3 = 59
| goals3 = 22
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = Dijon
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2023
| clubs5 = Midtjylland
| caps5 = 73
| goals5 = 20
| years6 = 2021–2022
| clubs6 = → OH Leuven (loan)
| caps6 = 26
| goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2023
| clubs7 = → Cardiff City (loan)
| caps7 = 17
| goals7 = 8
| years8 = 2023–
| clubs8 = Las Palmas
| caps8 = 17
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2024–
| clubs9 = → Elche (loan)
| caps9 = 19
| goals9 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2017–
| nationalteam1 = Guinea
| nationalcaps1 = 21
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| club-update = 19 March 2025
| nationalteam-update = 23:25, 10 October 2020 (UTC)
}}
Sory Kaba (born 28 July 1995) is a Guinean professional footballer who plays as a forward for {{Spanish football updater|Elche}} club Elche CF, on loan from UD Las Palmas, and the Guinea national team.
Club career
Born in Conakry, Kaba moved to Spain at early age and joined Alcobendas CF's youth setup in September 2012. He made his senior debut during the 2013–14 season, helping in their promotion to Tercera División.{{cite web|url=http://adalcobendascf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1278:sory-kaba-jugador-del-alcobendas-levitt-cf-ficha-por-el-elche-cf&catid=1:ultimasnoticias&Itemid=50|title=Sory Kaba, jugador del Alcobendas Levitt CF, ficha por el Elche CF|trans-title=Sory Kaba, player of Alcobendas Levitt CF, signs for Elche CF|publisher=Alcobendas CF|language=es|accessdate=14 May 2017}}
On 29 January 2016, Kaba joined Elche CF, being assigned to the reserves also in the fourth tier.{{cite web|url=http://www.elchecf.es/noticia/sory-kaba-refuerza-al-elche-ilicitano|title=Sory Kaba refuerza al Elche Ilicitano|trans-title=Sory Kaba bolsters Elche Ilicitano|publisher=Elche CF|language=es|date=29 January 2016|accessdate=14 May 2017}} On 13 May of the following year he made his first team debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Álex Fernández in a 1–0 Segunda División home loss against CD Mirandés.{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/2017/05/13/5917310ce5fdea3b228b45b7.html|title=Un Elche en caída libre entra en descenso y da vida al colista|trans-title=A freefalling Elche go inside the relegation zone and give life to the last placed|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=13 May 2017|accessdate=14 May 2017}}
Kaba scored his first professional goal on 28 May 2017, netting the equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against CF Reus Deportiu. On 29 July, after suffering relegation, he extended his contract for three years and was definitely promoted to the first team.{{cite web|url=http://www.diarioinformacion.com/elche-cf/2017/07/28/sory-kaba-seguira-vinculado-elche/1921616.html|title=Sory Kaba seguirá vinculado al Elche tres campañas más|trans-title=Sory Kaba will remain tied up with Elche three more seasons|publisher=Diario Información|language=es|date=28 July 2017|accessdate=3 November 2017}}
On 31 January 2019, the last day of the 2018–19 winter transfer window, Kaba signed with Ligue 1 side Dijon FCO having agreed a {{frac|4|1|2}}-year contract. The club paid a €4 million transfer fee to Elche triggering a release clause.{{cite news |title=Dijon achète Sory Kaba à Elche |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Dijon-achete-sory-kaba-a-elche/984079 |accessdate=1 February 2019 |work=L'Équipe |date=31 January 2019 |language=French}}
On 5 July 2019, Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland announced that they had signed Kaba on a five-year contract.[https://www.fcm.dk/nyheder/superliga/fc-midtjylland-henter-landsholdsangriber FC MIDTJYLLAND HENTER LANDSHOLDSANGRIBER], fcm.dk, 5 July 2019 On 31 August 2021, Kaba moved to Belgian First Division A club OH Leuven on loan for the 2021–22 season. OH Leuven secured an option to sign him permanently.{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Standaert |title=Guinese international moet Thomas Henry doen vergeten: OH Leuven huurt spits Sory Kaba van Midtjylland |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210830_97403090 |access-date=31 August 2021 |work=Het Nieuwsblad |date=30 August 2021 |language=nl}} On 1 June it was confirmed that Kaba was returning to Midtjylland, as the Belgian club had decided not to exercise the option to buy the striker.[https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/sory-kaba-vender-tilbage-til-fc-midtjylland/ Sory Kaba vender tilbage til FC Midtjylland] bold.dk, 1 June 2022
On 31 January 2023, the last day of the winter transfer window, Kaba joined EFL Championship club Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season.{{Cite news |date=31 January 2023 |title=Cardiff sign striker Kaba on loan from Midtjylland |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64464026 |access-date=18 August 2023}}
On 17 August 2023, Kaba officially joined La Liga club UD Las Palmas for a reported fee of over €2 million,{{Cite web |last=Checa |first=Pablo |date=18 August 2023 |title=Sory Kaba refuerza la delantera de Las Palmas |url=https://as.com/futbol/primera/sory-kaba-refuerza-la-delantera-de-las-palmas-n/ |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=es-ES}} signing a four-year contract with the club.{{Cite web |date=17 August 2023 |title=Sory Kaba, nuevo jugador de la UD Las Palmas |url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/sory-kaba-nuevo-jugador-de-la-ud-las-palmas |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=UD Las Palmas |language=es-ES}} On 30 August of the following year, he returned to former side Elche on a one-year loan deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/sory-kaba-cedido-al-elche-cf|title=Sory Kaba, cedido al Elche CF|trans-title=Sory Kaba, loaned to Elche CF|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=30 August 2024|accessdate=2 September 2024}}
International career
Kaba was first called up for the Guinea national team on 25 September 2017, for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia.{{cite web|url=https://guineenews.org/guinee-tunisie-voici-la-liste-de-lappe-bangoura/|title=Guinée – Tunisie: Voici la liste de Lappé Bangoura|trans-title=Guinea – Tunisia: Released the list of Lappé Bangoura |publisher=Guinée News|language=fr|date=25 September 2017|accessdate=3 November 2017}} He made his full international debut on 7 October, replacing Demba Camara in the 4–1 loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276412/match=300367091/index.html#nosticky|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819061028/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276412/match=300367091/index.html#nosticky|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2016|title=Guinea 1–4 Tunisia|publisher=FIFA.com|date=7 October 2017|accessdate=3 November 2017}}
In January 2022, he was selected by selection Kaba Diawara to participate in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.{{cite web|access-date=10 January 2022|date=4 January 2022|language=fr|title=CAN 2022. Guinée : avec Saidou Sow, retrouvez la liste complète du Sily national|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/coupe-d-afrique-des-nations/can-2022-la-guinee-revele-la-liste-des-27-joueurs-selectionnes-7163d488-6d7c-11ec-bcfe-9098f705e3cb|website=Ouestfrance.fr}}
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 22 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/sory-kaba/472704/|title=Sory Kaba|website=Soccerway|accessdate=23 September 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France, Danish Cup, Belgian Cup, Copa del Rey}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Elche
|5 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 5 | 1 | ||||
| 2017–18
|34 | 13 | 5 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 39 | 15 | |||
| 2018–19
|Segunda División |20 | 8 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 8 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!59 | 22 | 5 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 64 | 24 | |||
| Dijon
|9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1{{efn|Appearance in Ligue 1 relegation play-offs}} | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="6"|FC Midtjylland
|30 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 8 | ||
| 2020–21
|Danish Superliga |27 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 10{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 42 | 14 | ||
| 2021–22
|Danish Superliga |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23
|Danish Superliga |16 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9{{efn|Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 27 | 4 | ||
| 2023–24
|Danish Superliga |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=UECL|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!77 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 25 | 4 | colspan="2"|– | 109 | 27 | ||
| OH Leuven (loan)
|26 | 10 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 29 | 12 | |||
| Cardiff City (loan)
|17 | 8 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 17 | 8 | ||||
| Las Palmas
|17 | 1 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 20 | 2 | |||
| Elche (loan)
|Segunda División |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 3 | 0 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!208 | 61 | 19 | 8 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 253 | 73 |
{{notelist}}
= International =
{{Updated|matches played on 10 October 2020}}{{NFT|69095|accessdate=17 June 2019}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Guinea
|2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 14 | 3 |
:Scores and results list Guinea's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kaba goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Sory Kaba | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 15 June 2019 | Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | {{fb|EGY}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–3 | Friendly |
| align="center"|2 | 22 June 2019 | Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | {{fb|MAD}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–2 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| align="center"|3 | 10 October 2020 | Estádio Municipal de Albufeira, Albufeira, Portugal | {{fb|CPV}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|2–1 | Friendly |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|24509}}
- {{Worldfootball.net|sory-kaba}}
- {{Soccerway|sory-kaba/472704}}
{{Elche CF squad}}
{{Guinea squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Guinea squad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{authority control|state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaba, Sory}}
Category:Footballers from Conakry
Category:Guinean men's footballers
Category:21st-century Guinean sportsmen
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Guinea men's international footballers
Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:2021 Africa Cup of Nations players
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Tercera División players
Category:Danish Superliga players
Category:Belgian Pro League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Elche CF Ilicitano footballers
Category:FC Midtjylland players
Category:Oud-Heverlee Leuven players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:UD Las Palmas players
Category:Guinean expatriate men's footballers
Category:Guinean expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain
Category:Guinean expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Guinean expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
Category:Guinean expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium