Cheikhou Kouyaté (born 21 December 1989) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for the Senegal national team.
Kouyaté moved from Senegal to Belgium in 2006, having been offered a youth contract at RWDM Brussels. He played ten games before moving to Anderlecht aged 19, where he made 206 appearances and won the Belgian First Division A four times. In June 2014, he joined West Ham United of the Premier League, and four years later he transferred to Crystal Palace for an estimated £9.5 million.
Kouyaté represented the Senegal national team at the 2012 Olympics. He played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including Senegal's victory in 2021.
Africa Cup of Nations 2021 Senegal |
2007-2008 |
2008-2014 |
2008-2009 (Loan) |
2014-2018 |
2018-2022 |
2022-2024 |
2018-2022 |
2022-2024 |
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