Pape Souaré


Pape N'Diaye Souaré is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a left back for French Ligue 2 club Troyes.

Club career

Born in Mbao, Pikine Department, Souaré spent his early career with Diambars, Lille II, Lille and Reims.
He moved to Crystal Palace on a three-and-a half-year deal in January 2015 for an undisclosed fee, reported as £3.45 million. He made his Palace debut on 14 February in the fifth round of the FA Cup, a 2–1 home loss to Liverpool, and was described by Dominic Fifield of The Observer as looking "rusty and susceptible".
On 22 January 2016, it was announced that Souaré had signed a new three-and-a half-year contract with Palace. He was sent off on 13 February at the end of a 2–1 loss to Watford at Selhurst Park, for fouling Valon Behrami.
After over a year out of football following a car crash, Souaré made his first appearance on 19 September 2017 in a 1–0 home win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the EFL Cup. He was praised for his performance by manager Roy Hodgson.
In August 2019, after his contract with Crystal Palace expired, Souaré joined French Ligue 2 club Troyes on a one-season contract with an option of a further 12 months.

International career

Souaré made his international debut for Senegal on 29 February 2012, in a goalless friendly draw against South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. He later competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and was a squad member at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored his first international goal from a 20-yard free kick on 29 March 2016 as the Lions de Teranga won 2–1 away to Niger in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Following his car crash, he returned to the national team in March 2018.
He was not included in Senegal's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Personal life

On 11 September 2016, Souaré was airlifted to hospital after being involved in a road accident on the M4. He sustained injuries to his thigh and jawbone. It was thought that he would be out for six months, although he returned to training after 11 months.

Career statistics

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.29 March 2016Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey, Niger2–02–12017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Lille
Crystal Palace