The remarkable career path of Tidiane Touré

From the U23s to the senior squad: Tidiane Touré has made the most of his opportunity over the past few months and is now a permanent member of the Schalke first team. During the training camp in Neustift, the 20-year-old right-back sat down with schalke04.de to talk about his footballing journey so far and the special role the sport plays in his life. The interview also touches on his close bond with his family, advice from 2. Bundesliga legend Willi Landgraf, and preparations for the upcoming season.

A close-up of Tidiane Touré smiling

Tidi, it’s been a whirlwind few months for you – your 2. Bundesliga debut, your first professional contract, and the start of pre-season training in front of more than 3,000 fans at Schalke’s training ground. What was your personal highlight from the past few weeks?
That’s a tough one because all three moments were hugely important to me, and I’m incredibly grateful I got to experience them. Getting my first minutes in the 2. Bundesliga felt amazing, and signing my contract was just as emotional – especially with my parents there. Sharing that moment with them meant a lot, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. And of course, the first day of pre-season was a massive highlight too. I’d never trained in front of so many fans before.

You officially joined Schalke on 1st July 2024, arriving from the 1. FC Köln U23s to play for the Royal Blues’ Regionalliga side. Did you imagine when you made the move that just a year later you’d be part of the first-team squad?
When I spoke with the Schalke management, they showed me a path forward. There was a shared belief – both from the club and from me – in how I could develop step by step. There were no guarantees, of course. But I had a good feeling right away and sensed that things could work out, provided I gave everything each and every day. Now, being part of the senior squad is another important step in my journey – but I’m far from done. I learn something new in every training session and every match, and I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given. I also want to thank Jakob Fimpel and his U23 coaching staff, who supported and guided me along the way. They didn’t just point out what I was doing well – more importantly, they helped me identify ways to keep improving.

I’d never trained in front of so many fans before.

Tidiane Touré

Willi Landgraf, the all-time record holder for 2. Bundesliga appearances, was part of the U23 coaching staff and also played as a right-back. Was he able to give you any specific advice?
Definitely. We had a lot of great conversations. What really stood out to me was Willi’s mentality. That drive and determination really rubbed off on me.

You trained with the first team several times before making your 2. Bundesliga debut on matchday 29 in Regensburg. What went through your mind when you found out you’d be part of the squad for that match?
I was just really happy to be on the bus and take in a new experience. When the coaching staff told me I was in the matchday squad, I didn’t expect to actually get on the pitch. So when I was subbed in during the second half, I was over the moon. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the match – a victory would’ve made the weekend perfect.

Tidiane Touré answers questions during an interview

What did it feel like stepping onto the pitch?
I was totally focused and tried to block everything else out. My only priority was doing my job on the pitch. Of course, it’s a different feeling when you’re playing in front of 15,000 fans in Regensburg compared to 500 in a Regionalliga match. But at the end of the day, it’s the same game – football.

Just a few days after that debut, you signed a professional contract with the first team through to 30th June 2028.
That was a huge vote of confidence. Now it’s on me to make the most of this opportunity. I’m giving my all in training and trying to show my best self so I can earn more minutes on the pitch – and hopefully soon play in front of more than 60,000 fans at the VELTINS-Arena.

The coach leads by example – he expects full commitment.

Tidiane Touré

You’ve had just over two weeks of pre-season now, with the first two friendlies behind you. And right now you’re deep into the training camp in Stubaital. How heavy are the legs at the moment?
Very heavy – and not just the legs! Mentally it’s tough too, because we’re getting a lot of input. But that’s just part of pre-season. The coach leads by example – Miron Muslic wants us to push ourselves and give everything. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s our job to be as well prepared as possible when the first competitive match comes around.

What’s it like now being recognised by the fans? At the start of pre-season and in the friendlies, you must have signed well over 2,000 autographs.
I haven’t kept count, but that sounds about right (laughs). It’s all completely new to me, and I’m still getting used to it. I don’t really see myself as someone special – I’m still just Tidiane Touré. But of course it makes me happy if I can make someone’s day by signing an autograph or taking a photo. I was the same when I was a kid. That’s why I’m always happy to take the time when someone asks for a signature or a selfie.

A close-up of Tidiane Touré talking during an interview

Your main position is right-back. Have you always played in defence?
No, not at all. I started out up front as a centre forward. Then I moved out wide, and sometimes played as a number 10. It wasn’t until the U17s at Holstein Kiel that I became more of a defensive player. Back then, our team didn’t use wingers, and while I could’ve played as an 8, I didn’t feel like the role suited me 100%. So we gave full-back a try – and looking back, it wasn’t a bad decision (laughs).

Your career path is fascinating. You were born in Tours, France, and began playing football at FC Beauzelle. Then you moved to SV Lurup, a local club in Hamburg. How did the move from France to Germany come about? You were only eight years old at the time.
It wasn’t for sporting reasons – the explanation is simple: my dad works for Airbus, and his job moved from France to Hamburg. So our whole family relocated to Germany.

Thanks to football, I made friends quickly and learnt the language fast.

Tidiane Touré

What were your first few weeks and months like in a new country? Did you speak any German before the move?
No, not a single word. So the first few weeks weren’t easy. But thanks to football, I made friends quickly and that helped me learn the language fast. When you’re out on the pitch every day, you naturally start interacting with people and picking things up.

After spells at SV Lurup and Niendorfer TSV, you joined the youth academy at Holstein Kiel in 2020. How did that move come about?
I was playing for the Hamburg state XI and caught the eye of some Kiel scouts. For me, it was a huge opportunity – one I definitely wanted to take. Moving to 1. FC Köln was another big step forward after that.

A close-up of Tidiane Touré smiling

Was pursuing a professional football career in the U17 and U19 teams always your plan A? Or did you have a backup in case things didn’t work out?
It was always important to me to finish school as well. I got my A-levels, which means I could start a degree if I wanted. But for some time now, my full focus has been on football. If I had gone to university, I would’ve chosen something related to sport and management.

You mentioned your family earlier. How closely do your parents follow your matches?
They come to games whenever they can. Last season, my parents and my brother were in the stands for several of my U23 matches. That support means the world to me. My family still lives in Hamburg and regularly makes the long drive down to see me play. They’ll be visiting again for Schalke Day on 26th July. As soon as they heard there would be a friendly at the VELTINS-Arena, they asked me straight away to get them tickets. I’m really looking forward to that day. But there’s still time before then – right now, it’s all about the training camp. And I’m giving it everything to show what I can do.

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