Fact file: Bazoumana Touré | NUFC

Born in Bouaké, the second-largest city in Ivory Coast, on 2 March 2006, Touré began his playing career at Ivorian outfit ASEC Mimosas, arriving at the club's Academy as a 12-year-old. Widely regarded as the biggest club in his native homeland, 'Bazo' played for the youth team until 2022 before being promoted to the first-team, making his professional debut aged 16 before helping his side win the Ligue 1 (Ivory Coast) title in 2022/23. Primarily a left winger, Touré completed the first move of his fledgling career outside of Africa after signing for Swedish side Hammarby IF following a successful trial with the Stockholm-based club. The Ivorian youngster netted nine league goals in the Allvenskan as Hammarby claimed second place during the 2024 season, their best finish in the Swedish top-flight since 2003. Touré's strong performances in Sweden saw the African teenager seal a move to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in February 2025, signing a long-term contract with the Bundesliga outfit. After adjusting to life in Germany, the left winger recorded three assists in his opening three Bundesliga starts as Die Kraichgauer narrowly avoided relegation from the German top-flight. Last season, however, saw Hoffenheim secured a fifth-place finish, their highest position since 2017/18, as well as qualifying for this season's Europa League league-phase. Touré proved a standout performer in his first full season at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, recording nine Bundesliga outfits as well as scoring five league goals. He also possesses blistering pace, clocking 22.35 miles per hour last season. Touré represented Ivory Coast at youth level, playing for his country's U20 and U23 sides, before making his senior international debut in September 2025, providing an assist in a 7-0 thrashing of Seychelles during a 2026 FIFA World Cup (CAF) qualifier. The promising youngster was part of Ivory Coast's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad as Les Éléphants reached the quarter-finals of the competition before exiting at the hands of Egypt. Touré scored his first international goal during the tournament, a 90th minute winner against Gabon to seal top spot in Group F before finding the target once again in Ivory Coast's 3-0 win against Burkina Faso during the last-16 stage. He also earned a place in his country's squad for this summer's World Cup finals, where he helped his country reach the Round of 32. Touré becomes the second player from the Ivory Coast to join Newcastle on a permanent basis, following in the footsteps of the late Cheick Tioté while Ivorian striker Seydou Doumbia completed a short loan stint at St. James' Park in 2016. One of the most exciting prospects in African football, the talented winger is relishing the prospect of fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premier League as well as playing in front of his new supporters. He told newcastleunited.com: "Newcastle is like a family, which will help me show my best on the pitch. I will give my best every single day for this shirt. "I'm very excited to join Newcastle and I can't wait to meet my team-mates, the supporters and everybody at the club. I'm also very excited to play at St. James' Park for the first time."