Didier Ya Konan


Didier Ya Konan is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Club career

Ya Konan started his professional career at ASEC Mimosas in 2003. A club that previously had produced players as Kolo Touré and Didier Zokora. Ya Konan was joint top scorer in the African Champions League competition that season, with ASEC eventually failing in the semi finals, to Egyptian club Al Ahly.
In December 2006, he signed for Rosenborg, for a three-year contract in the Norwegian Premier League.
In January 2007, Ya Konan was nominated for the Ivorian Footballer of the Year award for 2006, which was eventually won by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. He was one of two homeland based players at the time to be nominated, the other being former ASEC teammate Bakary Soro.
On 11 August 2009, Ya Konan moved to Bundesliga side Hannover 96, initially signing a three-year contract.
Following the 2013–14 season he left Germany and completed a move to Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Professional League.
On 27 January 2015, he returned to Hannover 96, where he signed a one-year contract.
On 25 June 2015, Ya Konan signed a two-year deal with Fortuna Düsseldorf.

International career

Ya Konan was called up to the Ivory Coast national team for the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon on 5 October 2006. In March 2007, he was one of four players to receive a late call-up for the Ivorian's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in Antananarivo, due to injuries to other members of the squad.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
18 February 2011Stade Georges Pompidou, Valence, France1–01–0Friendly
211 May 2011Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast4–15–1Friendly
35 June 2011Stade de l'Amitié, Cotonou, Benin1–0'6–22012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
410 August 2011Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland1–04–3Friendly
53 September 2011Stade Amahoro, Kigali, Rwanda4–05–02012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
614 November 2012Linzer Stadion, Linz, Austria1–03–0Friendly
714 January 2013Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates4–24–2Friendly
826 January 2013Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa3–03–02013 Africa Cup of Nations

Honours

ASEC Mimosas
Rosenborg
Ivory Coast