Gervinho Yao Kouassi

Gervais Yao "Gervinho" Kouassi (born 27 May 1987 in Ányama) is an Ivory Coast international footballer who plays as a striker for French Ligue 1 club Lille OSC.

Career

Gervinho was born in Ányama, the same town as Sevilla FC striker, and Ivorian international Arouna Koné.

Gervinho Yao Kouassi began Gervinho Yao Kouassi career in the famed ASEC Abidjan youth academy, where Gervinho Yao Kouassi spent five years. Following this, Gervinho Yao Kouassi moved to Ivorian Deuxieme Division Zone Four side Toumodi F.C, where Al-Ittihad (Aleppo) striker Ibrahim Touré, the brother of Arsenal F.C. and FC Barcelona players Kolo Touré and Yaya Touré, spent some time playing.

After two seasons at Toumodi, Gervinho Yao Kouassi followed the well-trodden path of Ivorian players to Belgium Jupiler League outfit K.S.K. Beveren. Gervinho Yao Kouassi stayed here until the end of the 2006/07 season when Gervinho Yao Kouassi moved to French Ligue 1 side Le Mans UC72, where Gervinho Yao Kouassi played alongside Ivorian international midfielder Ndri 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 Olympique Marseille, as well as English Premiership giants Arsenal FC. The report stated that the North London-based team had been long-term admirers of Gervinho, with an offer having been tabled whilst Gervinho Yao Kouassi was playing in Belgium in the 2006/07 season.

Gervinho has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Gervinho reiterated Gervinho Yao Kouassi desire for a "dream" move to Arsenal, confirming speculation that Arsenal were interested in him. Gervinho Yao Kouassi said Gervinho Yao Kouassi would have to keep working hard at Le Mans and Arsenal would "open the door" for Gervinho Yao Kouassi

International career

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

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

Gervinho Yao Kouassi represented Gervinho Yao Kouassi country at the Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's tournament. After Cote d'Ivoire lost to Argentina national football team in the first match, Gervinho scored one goal and set up two others in a 4-2 victory over Serbia national football team.