Gervais Yao Kouassi

Football player infobox| playername= Gervinho


fullname = Gervais Yao Kouassi
nickname = Gervinho
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|5|27
cityofbirth = Ányama
countryofbirth = Ivory Coast
height = height|m=1.79
currentclub = Le Mans
clubnumber = 27
position = Forward
youthyears = 1998-2002 2002-2004 2004-2005
youthclubs = ASEC Abidjan Toumodi KSK Beveren
years = 2005-2007 2007-
clubs = KSK Beveren Le Mans
caps(goals) = 66 (14) 31 (2)
nationalyears = 2007 -
nationalteam = Ivory Coast
nationalcaps(goals) = 3 (0)
pcupdate = 13 May 2008
ntupdate = 22 May 2008

Gervais Yao "Gervinho" Kouassi (born 27 May 1987 in Ányama) is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a striker for French Ligue 1 club Le Mans.

Career

Gervinho was born in Ányama, the same town as Sevilla striker, and Ivorian international Arouna Koné. Like so many talented Ivorians plying their trade in Europe he began his career in the famed ASEC Abidjan youth academy where he spent five years. Following this he moved to Ivorian Deuxieme Division Zone Four side Toumodi F.C. where Ibrahim Touré, the brother of Arsenal and FC Barcelona players Kolo Touré and Yaya Touré, spent some time playing. After two seasons at Toumodi he followed the well-trodden path of Ivorian players to Belgium Jupiler League outfit K.S.K. Beveren. He stayed here until the end of the 2006/07 season when he moved to French Ligue 1 side Le Mans, where he played alongside Ivorian international midfielder Romaric. In May 2008, after an impressive first season in Ligue 1, it was reported that the striker was being monitored by French sides AS Monaco, Paris Saint Germain and Marseille, as well as English Premiership giants Arsenal. The report stated that the North London-based team had been long-term admirers of Gervinho, with an offer having been tabled whilst he was playing in Belgium in the 2006/07 season.Gervinho has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Gervinho reiterated his desire for a "dream" move to Arsenal, confirming speculation that Arsenal were interested in him. He said he would have to keep working hard at Le Mans and Arsenal would "open the door" for him [http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=832584]

International career

Gervinho is the captain for the Ivory Coast Olympic team. In September 2007 he scored from the penalty spot to help secure the Ivorian's a 3-1 victory over Mali in a Beijing 2008 qualifying game.

He was named in the Ivorian senior squad for the first time for the friendlies against Angola and Qatar in November 2007, and was picked for the Ivorian squad for their 2008 African Cup of Nations campaign in Ghana where he was given the number 10 shirt. He made his competitive debut for the Ivorian team during the 2008 Nations Cup where he made two substitute appearances.

He represented his country at the 2008 Olympic tournament. After Cote d'Ivoire lost to Argentina in the first match, Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others in a 4-2 victory over Serbia. [Source: http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/football/n214526866.shtml]

References

External links

* [http://fifci2.win3.hebergement.com/News.aspx?num=A000001257 Interview with Gervinho]
* [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=102192& Profile on ESPN]
* [http://www.eurosport.fr/football/personnews_prs120414.shtml Profile on Eurosport.fr]
* [http://www.football.fr/fr/football/joueurs/2/gervaisyao_gervinho_21462.html Profile on Football.fr]
* [http://www.fifa.com/menolympic/news/newsid=592627.html Gervinho scores against Mali]
* [http://fifci.org/News.aspx?num=A000001502 Gervinho in Elephants squad] "(French)"
* [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3560055,00.html Gervinho flattered by Arsenal link]