Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou
Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou (born 5 August 1985) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Botafogo in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He is the younger brother of Bonaventure Kalou.
Kalou began his career in the Ivory Coast with ASEC Mimosas before moving to the Netherlands to play for Feyenoord. In 2006, he joined Chelsea in the Premier League, where he spent six seasons and won the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. In 2012, he moved to Lille in France, and two years later he joined Hertha BSC in Germany. In 2020, he returned to Brazil to play for Botafogo.
Kalou has represented Ivory Coast at the FIFA World Cup in 2006, 2010, and 2014. He has also played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, winning the tournament in 2012.
Early life
Salomon Kalou was born in Oumé, Ivory Coast, on 5 August 1985. He is the son of Armand Kalou, a teacher, and Suzanne Kalou, a nurse. He has an older brother, Bonaventure Kalou, who is also a professional footballer.
Kalou began playing football at an early age, joining the youth academy of ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan. He quickly progressed through the ranks, and in 2003 he was promoted to the first team.
Club career
ASEC Mimosas
Kalou made his professional debut for ASEC Mimosas in the 2003–04 season. He quickly became a regular starter, and in two seasons he helped the club win the Ivory Coast Premier Division twice.
Feyenoord
In 2005, Kalou moved to the Netherlands to join Feyenoord. He made his debut for the club on 13 August 2005, in a 2–0 loss to Ajax. He scored his first goal for Feyenoord on 27 August 2005, in a 3–1 win over ADO Den Haag.
Kalou quickly established himself as a key player for Feyenoord. In the 2005–06 season, he scored 15 goals in 35 appearances, helping the club finish third in the Eredivisie. He also helped Feyenoord reach the final of the KNVB Cup, where they lost 1–0 to PSV Eindhoven.
Chelsea
In 2006, Kalou joined Chelsea in the Premier League for a fee of £9 million. He made his debut for the club on 23 August 2006, in a 2–1 win over Blackburn Rovers. He scored his first goal for Chelsea on 26 August 2006, in a 3–0 win over Manchester City.
Kalou spent six seasons at Chelsea, making 254 appearances and scoring 64 goals. He helped the club win the Premier League title in 2010, the FA Cup in 2007 and 2010, and the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
Lille
In 2012, Kalou moved to Lille in France. He made his debut for the club on 11 August 2012, in a 2–1 win over Lorient. He scored his first goal for Lille on 25 August 2012, in a 3–1 win over Saint-Étienne.
Kalou spent two seasons at Lille, making 74 appearances and scoring 20 goals. He helped the club finish third in the Ligue 1 in 2013–14.
Hertha BSC
In 2014, Kalou moved to Hertha BSC in Germany. He made his debut for the club on 23 August 2014, in a 2–0 loss to Borussia Dortmund. He scored his first goal for Hertha BSC on 27 September 2014, in a 2–1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kalou spent four seasons at Hertha BSC, making 120 appearances and scoring 36 goals. He helped the club finish sixth in the Bundesliga in 2016–17.
Botafogo
In 2020, Kalou returned to Brazil to play for Botafogo. He made his debut for the club on 13 March 2020, in a 2–1 win over Fluminense. He scored his first goal for Botafogo on 20 March 2020, in a 3–1 win over Atlético Mineiro.
Kalou has made 25 appearances and scored 6 goals for Botafogo. He has helped the club finish ninth in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2020 and 2021.
