Powerful central midfielder Seko Fofana will take his talents to Portugal after the Ivorian international secured a loan transfer to FC Porto on Monday.
The 30-year-old joins Nigerian striker Terem Moffi as a fellow acquisition on loan as well as former Brazil national team legend Thiago Silva as winter signings for the Portuguese Primeira Liga club. Currently top of the table in the Portuguese top flight with four points separating them from defending champions Sporting CP, the leaders have fortified the squad for a final title push.
And Fofana can make a massive difference on the pitch with his spirited performances and ability to contribut on both ends of the pitch. He arrives from Stade Rennais after an injury-plagued first half of the season with the French Ligue 1 club, where he made 12 appearances and contributed 1 goal.
He arrives without an option for the Portuguese club to purchase him permanently. His contract with Rennes expires in June 2029.
Despite Fofana’s injury issues, he did represent Ivory Coast at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as the Elephants reached the quarterfinals. His role was limited with one start and three substitute appearances in Morocco as 19-year-old starlet Christ Inao Oulai established himself in coach Emerse Faé’s XI during the tournament.
Fofana was a key contributor during the Elephants’ title-winning run at the 2023 AFCON on home soil as Ivory Coast became African champions. He featured in all seven matchs, providing a goal and an assist.
Three players? No problem for Seko Fofana 😎
The #MoveOfTheDay from the Côte d’Ivoire magician 🪄 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @RexonaNG pic.twitter.com/fS0oI6rIzI
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 30, 2024
Seko Fofana’s club career
After previous stops in his club career with Italian Serie A club Udinese as well as Ligue 1 club RC Lens, his performances at the 2023 AFCON led to a big-money move to Saudi football with Al Nassr. He struggled to make an impact at the club, moving on loan to fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq before returning to France with Rennes midway through the 2024-25 season.
Born in Paris, Fofana began his youth career with Paris FC before finishing his youth career with Manchester City. His first senior appearances came with Fulham FC in England’s second tier EFL Championship on loan from City during the 2014-15 season before spending another campaign on loan at Ligue 1 club Bastia the following season.
The French youth international elected to represent the national team of Ivory Coast in April 2017. He has 7 goals and 3 assists in 30 appearances for the Elephants.
