Who is David Datro Fofana? Chelsea sign 19-year-old talent from Molde

This article first appeared on Dec. 15 and has been updated with new information.

Chelsea have completed their first signing of the January transfer window in the form of Molde striker David Datro Fofana. The club made the deal official on Dec. 28, 2023. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Stamford Bridge side have paid €12 million for the 19-year-old talent, who has a current market value of €7m. 

Graham Potter’s side have been in desperate need of a clear goal scorer for some time, following the sale of Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig in the summer, alongside the decision to send Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan on loan following a disastrous spell up front for the club last season. Add to that the unfortunate news that young striker Armando Broja is likely to miss the rest of the season through injury and there’s little doubt that Chelsea would be signing a forward in the forthcoming window. 

Whether or not Fofana will join the Chelsea first team upon joining the club remains to be seen. At just 19 years of age, it’s unlikely that the Ivory Coast talent will be the full extent of Chelsea’s January reinforcements, with the club also linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko and Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović. The club are also expected to complete the signing of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku at the end of the season. 

However, for now, Forfana seems to be the main transfer target for the Premier League side. So who is the young striker and what can Chelsea fans expect from the striker if and when he makes the move to his new club? 

Who is David Datro Fofana? 

After beginning his career in his native Ivory Coast for AFAD, Fofana made the move to Molde on a free transfer in February 2021. He made his debut for the club in a 3-3 UEFA Europa League tie against Hoffenheim, scoring the club’s third goal in the 74th minute and he’s rarely missed the back of the net since then. 

Over the course of 65 games for the Norwegian side, Fofana has bagged 24 goals and 10 assists in all competitions. Which works out as an impressive 0.89 goals and assists per 90 for the Eliteserien club. In the league itself, Fofana’s record stands at 15 goals and six assists in 42 appearances, which is an impressive return for such a young player. 

"The 19-year-old was already considered a huge talent before moving to Molde and finally made his breakthrough in his second season on Norwegian soil,” said Transfermarkt Norwegian market value admin “Arturus” about the young talent. “He is fast, tricky, strong in tackles and can hardly be separated from the ball, but still has weaknesses in decision-making and finishing. Nevertheless, his individual skills are so outstanding that a number of international clubs are said to have approached Molde.” Whether Fofana joins Chelsea to feature in Potter’s first team or will simply be sent back to Molde or to one of the English’s clubs many feeder sides remains to be seen. But there’s little doubt that the Stamford Bridge side have worked fast to tie down one of Norwegian football’s most promising talents.