Serge Aurier
Ivorian footballer.
Serge Aurier currently plays for Galatasaray in Turkey, having joined the club in February 2024. The Ivorian right-back's move to Galatasaray marks the latest chapter in a career that has seen him play for several top European clubs. Prior to his Turkish adventure, Aurier spent a season and a half with Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, where he made 33 appearances across all competitions. His time at Forest was preceded by a brief stint with Villarreal in Spain, where he featured in 19 La Liga matches and played a role in the club's UEFA Champions League campaign.Aurier's most notable spell in England came during his four years with Tottenham from 2017 to 2021. At Spurs, he established himself as a regular in the team, making 110 appearances and contributing to the club's run to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final.
Before moving to England, Aurier spent three successful years with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won multiple domestic titles and gained valuable experience in European competitions.The defender's professional career began in France with Lens, where he progressed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut. His performances at Lens caught the attention of Toulouse, who signed him in 2012. It was at Toulouse where Aurier truly began to make a name for himself, impressing with his attacking contributions from right-back and earning a move to PSG in 2014.Throughout his career, Aurier has demonstrated his versatility, playing as a right-back, right wing-back, and occasionally as a center-back. His journey from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, La Liga, and now the Turkish Süper Lig showcases his ability to adapt to different leagues and playing styles.
At 31 years old, Aurier brings a wealth of experience to Galatasaray, including 87 international caps for Côte d'Ivoire and participation in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Early life & youth football
Serge Aurier's early life and youth career laid the foundation for his successful professional journey. Born on December 24, 1992, in Ouragahio, Côte d'Ivoire, Aurier moved to France with his family at a young age. It was in France where his football journey truly began, joining the youth academy of Racing Club de Lens in 2009 at the age of 16.At Lens, Aurier quickly progressed through the youth ranks, impressing coaches with his physical attributes and technical skills. His performances for the youth teams caught the attention of the senior coaching staff, and he made his professional debut for Lens in 2009 at just 17 years old. Over the next two and a half years, Aurier continued to develop at Lens, making 40 appearances for the club across all competitions.
During his time in the Lens academy and early professional years, Aurier's potential was evident. He showcased his versatility by playing in various defensive positions, though it was at right-back where he began to truly excel. His attacking instincts and physical prowess made him stand out, and he quickly became one of the most promising young defenders in French football.
Professional career
Serge Aurier's professional career began with RC Lens, where he progressed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut. He joined the Lens academy in 2009 at the age of 16 and quickly impressed the coaching staff with his physical attributes and technical skills.Aurier made his professional debut for Lens on 22 December 2009 in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Lorient, coming on as a late substitute. His Ligue 1 debut followed on 13 January 2010 against Saint-Étienne.
Despite Lens being relegated at the end of the 2010-11 season, Aurier remained with the club for their campaign in Ligue 2.During his time at Lens, Aurier made a total of 40 appearances across all competitions over three seasons. He played in various defensive positions, showcasing his versatility, but it was at right-back where he began to truly excel. His performances in Ligue 2 during the first half of the 2011-12 season caught the attention of several Ligue 1 clubs.
On 26 January 2012, Aurier made the move to Toulouse, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal for a reported transfer fee of €1.5 million. This transfer marked a significant step up in his career, providing him with the opportunity to play regular top-flight football.Aurier made an immediate impact at Toulouse, making his debut just two days after signing in a 2-1 win over Caen.
He scored his first goal for the club on 1 April 2012 in a 2-1 loss against Lille. However, his first half-season at Toulouse was interrupted by an ankle sprain that saw him miss six matches. In total, he made 10 appearances for Toulouse in the latter half of the 2011-12 season.The 2012-13 season saw Aurier establish himself as a regular starter for Toulouse.
He made 28 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring one goal and providing three assists. His performances began to attract attention from larger clubs, but Aurier remained committed to his development at Toulouse.It was in the 2013-14 season that Aurier truly broke out as one of the most promising young defenders in French football. Under the management of Alain Casanova, Aurier was deployed in a 3-5-2 formation, playing both as a right-sided center-back in a three-man defense and as a wing-back.
This tactical flexibility allowed Aurier to showcase his attacking prowess while also developing his defensive skills.Aurier's performances in the 2013-14 season were outstanding. He made 34 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring six goals and providing six assists - remarkable statistics for a defender. His attacking contributions, combined with his solid defensive work, earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
Some of Aurier's notable performances that season included a goal in a 2-1 loss against Evian on 2 November 2013, and goals in back-to-back games against Reims and Rennes in February 2014. His consistent high-level performances throughout the season caught the eye of several top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain.Aurier's time at Toulouse was crucial for his development as a player. He matured from a promising youngster into one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe.
His versatility, attacking contributions, and defensive solidity made him an attractive prospect for bigger clubs.In total, Aurier made 72 appearances for Toulouse across all competitions, scoring eight goals. His progression at the club was remarkable, going from a young player finding his feet in Ligue 1 to a key player who was named in the league's Team of the Year.Aurier's performances at Toulouse also earned him international recognition.
He made his debut for the Ivory Coast national team in June 2013, and his club form played a significant role in establishing him as a regular for his country.The experience gained at Lens and Toulouse laid the foundation for Aurier's subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2015. Serge Aurier joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on July 23, 2014, initially on a season-long loan from Toulouse with an option to buy. His move to PSG was seen as a potential replacement for incumbent right-back Christophe Jallet.
Aurier made his PSG debut in the 2014-15 Ligue 1 season, coming on as a substitute for Gregory van der Wiel in a 2-0 win over Bastia on August 16, 2014. He scored his first goal for PSG in the Round of 16 of Coupe de la Ligue in a 3-1 victory over Ajaccio.The first half of his loan season was challenging, as Aurier struggled to establish himself in the first team due to injuries and international commitments. However, he began to feature more regularly in the second half of the season.
On April 29, 2015, Aurier secured a permanent move to PSG, signing a four-year contract. His first game after signing permanently came in the Trophée des Champions against Lyon, where he scored his first PSG goal in a 2-0 win.During his time at PSG, Aurier faced competition for the right-back position from Van der Wiel. Despite this, he managed to make significant contributions to the team's success.
In the 2015-16 season, Aurier scored his first league goal for PSG on September 26, 2015, in a 4-1 win over Nantes.Aurier's PSG career was not without controversy. During a UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea, he found himself in trouble with UEFA after criticizing referee Björn Kuipers in a video posted on Facebook. As a result, he was suspended for three matches.
Despite these setbacks, Aurier continued to be an important player for PSG. He was part of the team that won multiple domestic titles, including Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue. His performances in the 2016-17 season were particularly notable, as he made 21 league appearances and provided 3 assists.During his time at PSG, Aurier made a total of 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals and providing 15 assists.
He won three Ligue 1 titles (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17), three Coupe de France titles (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17), three Coupe de la Ligue titles (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17), and three Trophée des Champions (2014, 2015, 2016).Aurier's time at PSG came to an end in August 2017 when he transferred to Tottenham for a reported fee of £23 million. Aurier joined Tottenham on August 31, 2017, for a reported fee of £23 million. He made his debut for the club on September 13, 2017, in a 3-1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
His Premier League debut came on September 23 against West Ham United, where he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a 3-2 win.Throughout the season, Aurier competed with Kieran Trippier for the right-back position. He made a total of 24 appearances across all competitions, including 17 in the Premier League. Aurier scored his first goal for Tottenham on December 13, 2017, in a 2-0 home win against Brighton.
In the Champions League, Aurier featured in 6 matches, providing 1 assist as Tottenham reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Juventus. His performances were generally solid, though inconsistent at times, as he adapted to the Premier League.Aurier's second season at Tottenham saw him struggle for regular playing time. He made only 17 appearances across all competitions, with just 8 coming in the Premier League.
Despite the limited opportunities, he managed to score 2 goals, both coming in cup competitions.His first goal of the season came in a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over West Ham on October 31, 2018. Aurier also scored in Tottenham's 7-0 FA Cup win against Tranmere Rovers on January 4, 2019.In the Champions League, Aurier played a part in Tottenham's remarkable run to the final.
He made 5 appearances in the competition, including starts in both legs of the quarter-final against Manchester City. However, he was an unused substitute in the final, which Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool.The 2019/20 season saw Aurier become a more regular fixture in the Tottenham lineup, particularly after the appointment of José Mourinho as manager in November 2019. He made 42 appearances across all competitions, 33 of which came in the Premier League.
Aurier scored 2 goals and provided 8 assists during this season, showcasing his attacking contributions from the right-back position. His first goal came in a 4-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 14, 2019. He also scored in a 2-1 victory over Wolves on December 15, 2019.In the Champions League, Aurier made 5 appearances as Tottenham were eliminated in the round of 16 by RB Leipzig.
He also featured in Tottenham's FA Cup run, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Norwich City in the fifth round.Despite his increased playing time, Aurier's defensive performances were sometimes criticized, with some high-profile errors leading to goals for the opposition.Aurier's final full season at Tottenham saw him make 27 appearances across all competitions, with 19 coming in the Premier League. He scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists during this campaign.
His first goal of the season came in a 3-3 draw with West Ham on October 18, 2020. Aurier also scored in a 3-0 win against Leeds United on January 2, 2021. In the Europa League, he made 5 appearances as Tottenham reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb in a shock result.Throughout the season, Aurier continued to compete for the right-back position, this time with Matt Doherty, who had been signed from Wolves.
José Mourinho's departure in April 2021 and the appointment of Ryan Mason as interim manager saw Aurier's playing time reduced towards the end of the season. After leaving Tottenham by mutual consent in August 2021, Aurier joined Spanish side Villarreal on October 4, 2021, signing until the end of the 2021/22 season. His debut came on October 24 in a 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao, where he came on as a 65th-minute substitute.Aurier's time at Villarreal was hampered by injuries, and he found himself as the second-choice right-back behind Juan Foyth.
He made 19 appearances in La Liga, providing one assist but failing to score any goals. Despite his limited playing time, Aurier was part of the Villarreal squad that reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where they were eliminated by Liverpool.On September 7, 2022, Aurier signed for newly-promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest. He made his debut for the club on October 10 in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Aurier quickly established himself as a regular in the Forest lineup, providing experience and defensive stability to the team.On January 1, 2023, Aurier scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea. This goal was particularly significant as it helped Forest secure a valuable point in their fight against relegation.Throughout the season, Aurier made 24 appearances for Forest across all competitions, scoring one goal.
His performances were crucial in helping the club avoid relegation, as they finished 16th in the Premier League table.Aurier continued to be an important player for Nottingham Forest in the 2023/24 season. He featured regularly in the first half of the season, making 13 appearances in the Premier League and starting 11 of those matches.Statistically, Aurier's performances were solid.
He won 71 duels, made 33 clearances, and had 9 interceptions. In terms of passing, he completed 336 successful short passes and 9 successful long passes, demonstrating his ability to contribute to Forest's build-up play.However, on February 2, 2024, Aurier made a surprising move to Turkish side Galatasaray. The transfer came late in the January transfer window and saw Aurier join the Turkish giants until the end of the season.
At Galatasaray, Aurier has made 4 appearances in the Süper Lig as of the latest available data. He's yet to score or assist for his new club but has been integrating into the team and adjusting to Turkish football.
National team
Serge Aurier's international career with Côte d'Ivoire has been a significant part of his football journey. He made his debut for the national team in June 2013 at the age of 20, quickly establishing himself as a key player for Les Éléphants. Aurier's international career has been marked by his participation in multiple major tournaments and his consistent performances for his country.One of the highlights of Aurier's international career came in 2015 when he played a crucial role in Côte d'Ivoire's Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
He featured in all six matches during the tournament, providing three assists and helping his team secure their second AFCON title. His performances in the tournament showcased his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, cementing his status as one of Africa's top right-backs.Aurier has represented Côte d'Ivoire in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2023 edition held in his home country. In the 2023 tournament, he made five appearances and captained the team, demonstrating his leadership qualities and importance to the squad. Despite the team's elimination in the round of 16, Aurier's experience and commitment to the national team remained evident.In addition to continental competitions, Aurier has also featured for Côte d'Ivoire in FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns.
He has played a key role in the team's efforts to qualify for the World Cup, though they have yet to reach the finals during his time with the national team. His performances in these high-pressure qualifiers have further underlined his importance to the Ivorian setup.Throughout his international career, Aurier has amassed 87 caps for Côte d'Ivoire, scoring four goals and providing ten assists.
Player’s style
Serge Aurier's style of play is characterized by his attacking prowess from the right-back position, combined with his physical strength and defensive capabilities. Known for his energy and stamina, Aurier is often seen making lung-busting runs up and down the right flank, contributing both to his team's attack and defense.Offensively, Aurier is a threat with his crossing ability and willingness to take on defenders. He possesses good technical skills, allowing him to beat opponents in one-on-one situations and deliver accurate crosses into the box.
His attacking instincts often see him overlap with wingers, providing width and creating overloads in the final third.Defensively, Aurier utilizes his strength and pace to contain opposition wingers. He's adept at making timely tackles and interceptions, though his aggressive style can sometimes lead to fouls. His aerial ability makes him an asset in defending set-pieces and allows him to contribute offensively from corners and free-kicks.
Aurier's versatility is another key aspect of his play. While primarily a right-back, he has also been deployed as a wing-back in systems using three center-backs, and occasionally as a center-back. This adaptability makes him a valuable asset to his teams, allowing managers to adjust tactics without necessarily making substitutions.However, Aurier's style is not without its drawbacks.
His attacking instincts can sometimes leave his team exposed defensively, and his decision-making in crucial moments has been questioned at times. Despite these occasional lapses, Aurier's overall game makes him a dynamic and impactful player, capable of influencing matches from his defensive position.