Youssoufa Moukoko has 99 appearances and 18 goals for Borussia Dortmund as a 20-year-old. This sounds like the start of a huge success story. Behind the numbers, it turns out to be a convoluted process since the striker made his debut as a 16-year-old and was hailed by Haaland as the greatest talent, now it will be a transfer that is of the unusual kind.
It was in the match against Hertha Berlin in 2020 that sixteen-year-old Moukoko made his debut in Dortmund’s senior team. Erling Haaland had scored four goals in this game, but young Haaland was more concerned with praising the record debutant.
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Moukoku signed on as the youngest Bundesliga debutant ever, when he was substituted for Haaland after eighty-five minutes.
“I would also like to play with him! He’s the biggest talent in the world right now. A very strong player and only 16 years old – unbelievable! He’s got a great career ahead of him,” Haaland told Sky Sports after the 2020 game.
After this, there has mostly been trouble between the player/agent and the Dortmund management. The German striker has always demanded special treatment, but has been met with demands to deliver, work hard and be patient. Last summer, Moukoku was linked to several big clubs, but there was never a transfer. Now it has happened.
Not a bad word about Ståle Solbakken’s former club, FC Copenhagen, but any big club on a European scale, the capital club is not. So when “the world’s greatest talent” is applauded as an FC Copenhagen player, this is a surprising choice.
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Danish Bold reports FCK will pay around 4.5 million euros plus bonuses, where the 20-year-old has accepted a significant salary cut. According to Bild, Borussia Dortmund have also secured 12.5 percent of future sales revenue on Moukoko.
We wish the 20-year-old the best of luck on his new journey. Probably a positive “stick-finger-in-the-soil” adjustment for the 20-year-old. A good reminder that talent is not enough.
