Arthur Zagré, a promising left-back who honed his skills at Paris Saint-Germain and represented France at youth international levels, has made the significant decision to switch his sporting allegiance to Burkina Faso.
The 24-year-old, a former French youth international with 23 appearances and 2 goals across the U18 and U19 categories, is now set to don the colors of Burkina Faso. This versatile left-back, who developed within the esteemed Paris Saint-Germain academy system, currently plays for Excelsior Rotterdam, where he has contributed 3 goals and 2 assists in the Eredivisie this season. His decision to represent the nation of his ancestors marks a new chapter in his career.
Under the guidance of coach Amir Abdou, who took the helm in March, the Étalons are anticipated to integrate this significant addition into their squad as early as the June friendly matches, where they are scheduled to face Belarus and Russia.
Tuchel’s faith: a Ligue 1 debut and career trajectory
Zagré, a player adept at operating further up the wing or even in a defensive midfield role, is currently navigating his third season in the Netherlands with Excelsior Rotterdam. His senior career saw a notable acceleration when he made his Ligue 1 debut during the third matchday of the 2019-2020 campaign, under then-Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel. Hailing from Neuilly-sur-Seine in the Parisian region, his subsequent move to AS Monaco came as a surprise to many within the footballing world.
Following loan spells at Dijon, Utrecht, and ultimately Excelsior Rotterdam, this left-footed player, known for his powerful shot, found stability in the port city. With his contract with the Roodzwarten concluding this June, the diminutive yet agile player (1m68) is widely expected to seek a new challenge this summer. Before any potential club transfer, however, his immediate focus will be on making his inaugural appearances for his new national team.