Wilfried Bony

Wilfried Bony was born on December 10, 1988, in Bingerville, Ivory Coast. He would go on to become a professional footballer, known for his powerful playing style as a forward. Throughout his career, Bony would play for various clubs across different leagues, including in the Netherlands, England, and Turkey, and would also represent his country internationally.

In January 2011, Wilfried Bony joined the Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem from Sparta Prague. At Vitesse, he quickly established himself as a key player, earning the Eredivisie top goalscorer title in the 2012-2013 season. Bony's performance at Vitesse caught the attention of larger European clubs, setting the stage for his future move to the English Premier League.

On July 11, 2013, Wilfried Bony made his move to the Premier League, joining Swansea City for a club record fee of £12 million. Bony's debut season in the English top-flight was impressive, as he became the club's top scorer and showcased his ability to compete in one of the world's most challenging leagues. His time at Swansea helped solidify his reputation as a proficient striker.

Wilfried Bony transferred to Manchester City on January 14, 2015, for a reported fee of £28 million. This move to one of England's biggest clubs marked the peak of Bony's career at the top level. Despite high expectations, Bony struggled to secure a regular start in a side filled with talented forwards. His tenure at Manchester City was a challenging period in his football career.

Wilfried Bony was part of the Ivory Coast national team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. The tournament took place in Equatorial Guinea, and Ivory Coast emerged victorious after defeating Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final. Bony's role in the national team's success added an international honor to his list of achievements.

On August 31, 2016, Wilfried Bony moved to Stoke City on a season-long loan from Manchester City. During his time at Stoke, Bony struggled to find the back of the net consistently and was unable to replicate the form he had shown at his previous clubs. This loan period was a part of Bony's career where he faced significant challenges in the Premier League.

Wilfried Bony rejoined Swansea City on August 31, 2017, after his stint with Manchester City did not work out as hoped. This marked a return to the club where he had achieved significant success. His return was seen as a boost for Swansea, though his second time at the club was marred by injuries and inconsistency in form.

In February 2019, Wilfried Bony went on loan to Qatari club Al-Arabi from Swansea City. This move was part of his attempt to restart his career after injury setbacks. His time at Al-Arabi provided him with an opportunity to play regular football and regain match fitness, and while the league level was different from Europe's, it was an important step for his career recovery.

Wilfried Bony signed with Al-Ittihad on August 15, 2020, marking another chapter in his career outside of Europe. At Al-Ittihad, Bony aimed to bring his experience and skill to the Saudi Arabian league, continuing his football journey with ambitions of performing at a high level and contributing to his team's success in the league.

In December 2021, Wilfried Bony joined NEC Nijmegen on a free transfer, returning to Dutch football where he had previously excelled. At NEC, Bony aimed to add veteran experience and contribute to the team with his goal-scoring capability, providing leadership to the younger players and hoping to find stability in the later stages of his career.