Going back-to-back is the mission for Western United and the defending A-League Men champions have added further title-winning experience to the squad in the form of Tongo Doumbia.
Mali international midfielder Doumbia links up with Western for the 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season after the club announced the signing of 2018-19 ALM champion Jacob Tratt on Monday.
The 33-year-old Doumbia brings European and Asian pedigree to John Aloisi’s squad, having won the league and cup double with Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb in 2017-18.
Doumbia – born in France – also reached the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup final during his time with UAE giants Al Ain, coming up against LaLiga juggernaut Real Madrid.
“I’m happy and excited to sign for Western United,” said Doumbia, who represented Mali at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
“When I spoke with the coach, I felt a good feeling and my decision to come was very quick.
“I heard many good things about the squad so I want to meet them as soon as possible. I saw the team won the league last year and hopefully I can be part of a great season again.”
Doumbia started his senior career at French club Chateauroux in Ligue 2 – the former home of ex-stars Florent Malouda (a Premier League and Champions League winner with Chelsea) and former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse.
A move to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes followed in 2009, playing alongside the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Yann M’Vila and Carlos Bocanegra.
After three years at Roazhon Park, a switch to English side Wolves – in the Championship at the time – transpired, initially on loan in 2012.
There were also stints with French clubs Valenciennes and Toulouse before Doumbia landed in Zagreb, where he teamed up with future stars Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig and Borna Sosa (Stuttgart) to help lead Dinamo to Hrvatska nogometna liga and Croatian Cup glory in 2017-18.
Doumbia then swapped Europe for Asia as he joined Zoran Mamic’s Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, featuring in a memorable Club World Cup campaign.
He scored in the first-round win over Team Wellington before Al Ain overcame Esperance de Tunis and River Plate prior to losing 4-1 to Santiago Solari’s Madrid in Abu Dhabi.
Since then, Doumbia has represented Ajman and Kazakh side Aktobe.
“Tongo is an incredibly powerful midfield player, with big size and great defensive attributes that will serve us really well,” Aloisi said.
“On top of that, he has great experience in Europe and in Asia, which will be important for us. I look forward to having him join us and seeing his impact on the team.”
