Kalou completes Auxerre switch
Friday, July 11, 2003
Article summary
Feyenoord's Ivory Coast forward Bonaventure Kalou has signed for AJ Auxerre on a five-year contract.
Article body
Five-year contract
The 25-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the French club and will join his new team-mates at a pre-season training camp in Switzerland. The move from Rotterdam means Kalou has left one UEFA Cup contender for another.
UEFA Cup success
The Ivory Coast international, renowned for his trickery on the ball, had a year left on his contract with Feyenoord, where he had played since December 1997. During his spell with the club, he helped them win the Dutch title in 1999 and the UEFA Cup in 2002.
Ambitious at Auxerre
"It is time for me to develop my career elsewhere," said Kalou. "I want to win more trophies. Under Guy Roux that might happen at Auxerre. But I will leave Feyenoord with a lot of special memories."
Brother staying
Kalou played 149 league games for Feyenoord, scoring 35 goals. His preferred position is at the centre of the attack, although he was often used at De Kuip in a right-wing role. He leaves behind younger brother Salomon, a 19-year-old who recently signed a four-year contract with Feyenoord.
