Ibrahim Touré (footballer, born 1985)
Quick Facts
Biography
Ibrahim Obyala Touré (27 September 1985 – 19 June 2014) was a footballer who played as a striker most recently for Al-Safa.
He was the younger brother of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré and Celtic defender Kolo Touré. He died at age 28 following a battle with cancer.
Career
Touré began his senior career with Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk in 2003, before joining French team Nice, originally on loan, following a successful trial. In 2009, he joined Syrian club Al-Ittihad, then signed for Makasa the following year and loaned to Telephonat until June 2012. He then transferred to Al-Safa, scoring six goals in ten league games.
International
Unlike his two brothers, Ibrahim never appeared in an international team match. He was only eligible for his country of birth, the Ivory Coast. Both of his brothers travelled to feature in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments of the FIFA World Cup.
Death
Touré died on 19 June 2014 in Manchester, England, after a short battle with cancer. His brothers Yaya and Kolo were in Brazil at the time, representing the Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup. In an announcement, the Ivorian Football Federation said that "just a few hours after" the match against Colombia (which the Ivory Coast lost 2–1), the Tourés received news of Ibrahim's death. Manchester City and Liverpool, where Yaya and Kolo respectively played at club level, sent their condolences to the Touré family, along with club teammates, such as Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany of Belgium. Yaya and Kolo, however, were told by their father to remain in Brazil for the remainder of the World Cup.