Farewell and thank you Youssouf

Youssouf was born in 1993 in Chesnay, near Paris. He started out with La Celle-Saint-Cloud before transferring to the PSG academy, where he eventually turned pro in 2013. Looking for game time, he spent two seasons on loan with Evian Thonon Gaillard, making 71 appearances. He also spent a season with Nantes (30 matches) before joining the Girondins, initially on loan.

Youssouf arrived in the summer of 2016, and immediately marked himself out as an important addition to the squad. With 30 appearances and 5 assists in L1 in his first season, he played a major role in securing European qualification for the following season. The next campaign was even better, as the Girondins again qualified for Europe and Youssouf racked up 35 matches and 6 assists. The following two seasons were trickier, as Youssouf had to contend with a series of injuries. But his commitment and professionalism were never in doubt, and he continued to give his all for the team. Those qualities were on full display this season, when he battled through the tough times to produce some fine performances and even score his first goal for Bordeaux, sealing the crucial, season-saving victory over Lens (3-0, M37).

In the meantime, he has forged an impressive international career. After winning the U20 World Cup with France U19 in 2013, he chose to represent Senegal at senior level in 2017. He featured in the 2018 World Cup, and reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Youssouf has earned an enviable reputation here in Bordeaux. He is a strong player, technically gifted and implacable in defence, but above all a true professional. Always smiling, but always serious, Youssouf has been a model of commitment to the club, always giving his best. We wish him every success in the rest of his career.