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Mamadou Sangaré (36 Viewers)

Mamadou Sangaré

brentfordfc4ever said:
Lovely jubbly.....

I assume YY and or VJ would stay put whilst this fella runs box to box? Do I have that right?
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Sounds like he has the attributes to play a variety of midfield roles. I got the impression his ball-winning and duels were exceptional so perhaps he'll play deeper than a usual box-to-box player. Anyway, can think about that for the next few weeks. In the meantime let's just celebrate an absolutely incredible signing.
If Dams can recover his form and consistency of the season before last, we're going to have a formidable midfield when you add any one of Janelt, Jensen and Yarmo.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

stevil said:
Welcome Mamadou!

Nice little kora soundtrack on the social video... :love:
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Yep and the wonderful French! I know people have mentioned Pontus but, for me, this feels more like the Jota signing. Incredibly exciting!! :love:
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Really excited!! Feels like we’re building another decent squad! Welcomeeeee
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Any idea of a shirt number?
 

Mamadou Sangaré

relented and watched the show reel. Anticipation of Norgaard and a touch of Michael Essien. Wow.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Bigbee said:
where's this energy ball stuff coming from ? Has Chief said he wants to play that way ?
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Relentless ball doesn’t have the same ring to it
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Bigbee said:
www.nytimes.com

Mamadou Sangare is Brentford’s record signing and a star in the making – ‘The sky’s the limit for him’

The Mali international midfielder is making a rapid rise through European football. Next stop? Premier League stardom in west London
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
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Bigbee said:
soz gone behind a paywall , was ok when I found the article
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“I had just been appointed as the new national team coach of Mali and in my first squad, in September 2024, Mamadou was part of it.
“I remember Yves Bissouma asked questions of the new guys and said, ‘Which position do you prefer?’ Mamadou replied, ‘Your position’. So it showed a lot of confidence and belief.”
Tom Saintfiet, who stepped down as Mali head coach in April after two years in the role, is sharing his memories of managing Mamadou Sangare with The Athletic.
Sangare, 24 years old and one of the standout players in Ligue 1 last season, will play in the Premier League in 2026-27 after securing a €48million (£41.1m) move to Brentford — a club-record fee for the West London side.

“He’s an intelligent player, he has skills, he can play well under pressure, he is strong in ball recoveries and very smart in possession, he is a complete player,” adds Saintfiet, who has managed no fewer than 12 different national teams.
“He is a fantastic human being and a very humble guy. He’s a very serious professional and focused on his job. Sometimes I played him out of position but he always did what was asked of him to help me, and help the team. He never has any attitude problems.
“He is the new star, the new diamond, of football in Mali. People are very proud of him and he can be an example to a lot of other people.”

Sangare, who was born in the Malian capital of Bamako, began his football journey at Yeelen Olympique, a club renowned for developing some of the country’s brightest young talents and one that counts former West Ham and Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute as an ambassador.
At Yeelen Olympique, Sangare was known as ‘gaucher’ — which translates as ‘lefty’ or ‘left-footed’.
In his final season at Yeelen Olympique, the club finished as runners-up in the Malian Premiere Division, and by September 2020 his performances had seen him secure a move to Austrian side RB Salzburg on a five-year contract.

In Austria, Sangare was sent out on loan to gain first-team experience, first at RB Salzburg’s sister club FC Liefering, where he played alongside Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko and under Matthias Jaissle, who will soon replace Eddie Howe as Newcastle United head coach.
He had two further loan spells, at Grazer AK in Austria in 2021-22 and Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Pro League, for the first half of the 2022-23 before joining TSV Hartberg, also on loan, who were in the Austrian Bundesliga, in February 2023.
“He got a great deal of playing time with us, so it was a win-win situation for everyone,” Roland Puchas, from TSV Hartberg, told The Athletic.
At Hartberg, Sangare made 48 appearances, scoring three goals and registering four assists.
Puchas said there were a couple of standout moments that stuck in the memory.
“In the spring of 2023, he scored the winning goal in an away match at Altach,” he recalled. “This was particularly special because that victory secured our survival in the league.
“During another away win in Wolfsberger, he celebrated in the front row with the fans and sang along enthusiastically through the megaphone, even though he could only speak a few words of German at that time. However, he was very keen to learn, and was therefore a crowd favourite in Hartberg.


“He was technically strong, brought speed and vision to the game, and was aggressive in his tackling. He was warm, helpful and always lively. During his time at Hartberg, a fellow Malian, Ousmane Diakite (currently playing for West Bromwich Albion in England’s second tier), was also playing there. So they spent a lot of time together. They cooked together, went out together and played football on the PlayStation.

“It’s remarkable that he’s made such rapid progress. But it doesn’t come as a surprise to us, we knew he’d go places. We’re delighted for him.”
Sangare’s performances for TSV Hartberg put him on the radar of Rapid Vienna, one of Austria’s most decorated clubs, who felt they could prise him away from RB Salzburg.
“We organised a video call and convinced him to join our club,” Markus Katzer, Rapid Vienna’s sporting director, tells The Athletic.
Katzer remembers how, on the call, Sangare spoke fluent German, which impressed him, while he was equally happy to chat in English.
Katzer negotiated a deal with RB Salzburg and they managed to sign Sangare for €700k.
He says they told Sangare they wouldn’t stand in his way if a bigger club came in for him the following summer.
It was at Rapid Vienna that Sangare’s career really took off, with the midfielder earning an international call up for the first time. He made his debut for Mali under Saintfiet against Mozambique on September 6, 2024. He has since played 16 times for his country, one of Africa’s biggest footballing nations never to have played at a World Cup.
“He’s a great human, he’s a guy who loves competition, who always wants to win, who loves to develop himself and work hard on himself to get better and better,” Katzer said. “He did so well for us, he was a bit unlucky with the red card that he got in the quarter final of the Europa Conference against Djurgården, it was after about five minutes. But in all the other games, he was one of the best players on the pitch. I could see that he had the potential for much, much more.
“I remember he played against Austria Vienna in the derby, it’s a really huge game, it’s the most important game for the supporters and the club, and he scored an unbelievable goal. He always played so well in the European games.
“He’s technically very strong, he can dribble and he can always find solutions in really, really tight spaces. And then how he wins balls is his biggest strength. He’s a mix between a six and an eight. He was crazy about getting better, he was addicted to it. He always wanted to be outside on the pitch longer and working on his game with the assistant coaches to improve himself.”

However, there were some issues with his disciplinary record, as he picked up 16 yellow cards and two reds in 44 appearances across all competitions — something he has worked to rectify.
Away from the pitch, Katzer described Sangare as down to earth.
He recalled how he used to arrive at training from his nearby apartment on an electric scooter every day, wearing Crocs.
“He was always in his apartment, he was just focused on football,” he added. “He said, ‘I just love football, so I play football and I play PlayStation at home.’ He was also very religious and a practising Muslim.”
Katzer said he is still in touch with Sangare and he was joking recently about trying to bring him back to Rapid Vienna.
After starring for Rapid Vienna, Sangare signed for RC Lens in Ligue 1 for €8million (including bonuses), with the Austrian club retaining a 10 to 15 per cent sell-on clause.

RC Lens, who finished eighth the previous season, had recently installed Pierre Sage as their new head coach, following the departure of Will Still to Southampton.
In one of Europe’s most exciting storylines of last season, RC Lens ran Paris Saint-Germain close for the title, finishing as runners-up, while they won the Coupe de France for the first time in their history, sparking wild celebrations.
Starring alongside captain Adrien Thomasson in central midfield, Sangare was one of Ligue 1’s best players. He was named in Ligue 1’s team of the season, while he also won the Marc-Vivien Foe Award for the best African player in the league.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Le Havre match in January, which The Athletic attended, Sangare spoke about his desire to keep improving.
“I was trained as an attacking midfielder, but I feel really comfortable in the double pivot here,” he said in quotes published on the club’s website. “I’m a versatile player. I’ve had technical ability since I was very young. I was lacking in physicality when I first arrived in Austria, so I worked a lot on that aspect during my various loan spells. I’m still young, so I have room for improvement, both technically and physically.
“Sometimes I lose possession and lack concentration; those are things I need to work on. My style is really based on playing forward. It comes naturally to me. Finishing is something I’m really working on. I’m determined to improve; I want to be a bit more decisive for the team.”

In an interview with RFI in May, Sangare spoke about how he’d quickly had to get to grips with life in Austria after moving from Mali.
“I had to adapt to the language, culture and the way football is played in Europe,” he told the publication. “All of that helped me gain experience, mature, and improve a great deal.”
RC Lens’ president Joseph Oughourlian described Sangare as an “amazing player” and knew there would be interest after his fantastic performances last season.
He told The Athletic how a number of clubs came to watch Sangare last season but it was Brentford who decided to make their interest concrete, with a club-record fee.
“Our fabric is that we’re able to replace players and find new players,” Oughourlian explained.
Crystal Palace, who brought in Sage from Lens as their new manager earlier this summer, had been interested in Sangare, but were not able to match the financial package offered by Brentford.
So how far can Sangare go?
“Given his quality and his young age, the sky’s the limit for him,” Puchas said.
“It’s very impressive how in his first season in Ligue 1, he played such a major role,” Saintfiet added. “I can see similar things happening at Brentford, I can imagine him immediately showing his quality.
“He doesn’t show his quality by talking, he shows it on the pitch.”
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Well they have gone and done it, he's signed and it looks like a major coup to me, there were a few chasing him but PG has got it over the line before them.
Looking forward to seeing him in the red and white and making the Chelsea thug look very ordinary
 

Mamadou Sangaré

I admit I hadn’t heard of him about 5 days ago. This signing shows huge ambition. And also that we can attract players of this calibre (and huge potential).

I can’t wait to see him against Spurs, playing Tonali off the park.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Brings our midfield quality up to the top levels even within the premier league. I’m incredibly excited to see what this team can do this season
 

Mamadou Sangaré

In all seriousness I'll be the first to temper expectations.

Great season last year by all accounts but still only 29 appearances - and in Ligue 1, which is not Premier League standard. It's a different level of intensity and consistency needed.

Was playing at a much much lower level before that in Austria, predominantly on loan having never broken in at Salzburg. Interestingly enough, during that time Salzburg has bought Mads Bidstrup from us and played him instead in that position.

Lots of potential but we paid more for Dango who we'd all agree is a work-in-progress, I'd expect the same kind of first season from Sangare as well.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Mamadou Sangaré

This account is followed by BFC so I assume it’s the genuine article.

Translation:

There are adventures that mark a career, and others that mark a life.

Even though this chapter lasted only one season, it will remain forever etched in my heart.

Thank you to RC Lens, to my teammates, to the staff, to the leaders, and to all those who work behind the scenes for this club. Thank you to the supporters for your passion, your support, and the love you showed me from the moment I arrived.

We shared unforgettable moments: a French Cup won for the first time in the club's history, a qualification for the Champions League, and emotions I will never forget.

Today, it is time for me to write a new page. I leave with a lot of pride, gratitude, and memories for life.

Lens will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you for everything…
See you soon, Blood and Gold❤️💛


View: https://x.com/msangare2002/status/2083595613447352336?s=46&t=SQP7mje7Pimu8X-ugPnQnQ
 

Mamadou Sangaré

BFC1997 said:
In all seriousness I'll be the first to temper expectations.

Great season last year by all accounts but still only 29 appearances - and in Ligue 1, which is not Premier League standard. It's a different level of intensity and consistency needed.

Was playing at a much much lower level before that in Austria, predominantly on loan having never broken in at Salzburg. Interestingly enough, during that time Salzburg has bought Mads Bidstrup from us and played him instead in that position.

Lots of potential but we paid more for Dango who we'd all agree is a work-in-progress, I'd expect the same kind of first season from Sangare as well.
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Well that's cheered me up no end.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

BFC1997 said:
In all seriousness I'll be the first to temper expectations.

Great season last year by all accounts but still only 29 appearances - and in Ligue 1, which is not Premier League standard. It's a different level of intensity and consistency needed.

Was playing at a much much lower level before that in Austria, predominantly on loan having never broken in at Salzburg. Interestingly enough, during that time Salzburg has bought Mads Bidstrup from us and played him instead in that position.

Lots of potential but we paid more for Dango who we'd all agree is a work-in-progress, I'd expect the same kind of first season from Sangare as well.
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Any reason why you didn't pick Michael Kayode, Sepp vdB, Igor Thiago, Caoimhin Kelleher as comparisons? They all had similar back stories (or worse) so why pick on the one player who was judged (harshly imo) to be disappointing?
 
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Mamadou Sangaré

Les Beeavinu said:
Any reason why you didn't pick Michael Kayode, Sepp VdB, Igor Thiago, Caoimhin Kelleher as comparisons? They all had similar back stories (or worse) so why pick on the one player who was judged (harshly imo) to be disappointing?
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Because we signed him a year ago for the same kind of money as Sangare (actually, more).

The others you mentioned were signed for £15-20m each*, their signings were not met with the same kind of fanfare as Sangare's is now.

*With the exception of Thiago who was reportedly closer to £30m.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

BFC1997 said:
Because we signed him a year ago for the same kind of money as Sangare (actually, more).

The others you mentioned were signed for £15-20m each*, their signings were not met with the same kind of fanfare as Sangare's is now.

*With the exception of Thiago who was reportedly closer to £30m.
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Flimsiest of arguments. More money means he might be disappointing compared to players who have been successful but cost less. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

cliffbee said:
Sounds like he has the attributes to play a variety of midfield roles. I got the impression his ball-winning and duels were exceptional so perhaps he'll play deeper than a usual box-to-box player. Anyway, can think about that for the next few weeks. In the meantime let's just celebrate an absolutely incredible signing.
If Dams can recover his form and consistency of the season before last, we're going to have a formidable midfield when you add any one of Janelt, Jensen and Yarmo.
Click to expand...
Callum Wilson picked out Dams when he genuinely looked surprised/impressd with our talent
 

Mamadou Sangaré

Les Beeavinu said:
Flimsiest of arguments. More money means he might be disappointing compared to players who have been successful but cost less. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
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You're making my point for me, which was that we shouldn't set unfair, immediate expectations on this player predominantly based on the fee we are paying for him.
Every confidence he will come good, but I do expect some level of inconsistency to begin with.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

stevendamico said:
I have a hunch we are going to have some new friends from Mali on the boards. Welcome in advance!

Immense signing, just from a showing where we are standpoint.
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Free Sangaré.

I can’t wait for all the African United fans to pipe up.
 

Mamadou Sangaré

BFC1997 said:
You're making my point for me, which was that we shouldn't set unfair, immediate expectations on this player predominantly based on the fee we are paying for him.
Every confidence he will come good, but I do expect some level of inconsistency to begin with.
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Why is he going to be inconsistent but the others weren't because they cost less? It doesn't make any sense.
 
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