APR FC has secured the services of Burkina Faso international striker Djibril Ouattara on a two-year contract, following his recent departure from Algerian champions JS Kabylie. Ouattara, who had been heavily linked with Moroccan side Ittihad Tanger, brings a wealth of experience and scoring prowess to the Rwandan Premier League club.
According to recent reports, Ouattara’s move to APR FC was unexpected, as many believed he would join Ittihad Tanger after leaving JS Kabylie. However, the striker has chosen to continue his career in Rwanda, signing with APR FC for the next two seasons.
The 25-year-old will be looking to make an immediate impact at APR FC, where he will vie for a starting position alongside forwards like Victor Mbaoma, Mamadou Sy, and Arsène Tuyisenge. Ouattara becomes the third signing for APR FC this month, following Ugandan players Hakim Kiwanuka and Denis Omedi, who have joined the team as wingers.
Born in 1999, Ouattara’s football journey began at Vitesse FC in Burkina Faso. His early career was marked by significant achievements, including being the top scorer in the Burkinabé Premier League in 2017 and 2018 with ASF Bobo-Dioulasso, which won the championship during those seasons. His performance in the 2017-2018 season, where he scored 15 goals, led to his transfer to Moroccan club RS Berkane.
At RS Berkane, Ouattara played a pivotal role, helping the team reach the finals of the CAF Confederation Cup in both the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, securing the title in the latter. His contributions were instrumental in winning the Moroccan Super Cup in 2022, and he also participated in the CAF Super Cup in 2021.
Ouattara’s tenure at RS Berkane was briefly interrupted by a short stint at OC Safi in 2021 and 2022 before returning to Berkane. In July 2024, he moved to JS Kabylie, where he played 13 matches before his contract was terminated.
Ouattara has been a part of the Burkina Faso national team since 2018, accumulating 15 caps and scoring two goals. One of his notable achievements is winning the gold medal at the 2019 African Games with the Burkina Faso U-20 team, where he was also the top scorer. His international highlight includes scoring against Cameroon in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing to Burkina Faso’s third-place finish in the tournament.
With this signing, APR FC aims to bolster their attack as they pursue their sixth championship title in the Rwandan league. Fans and coaches alike will be eager to see how Ouattara adapts to his new environment and what impact he can have on the team’s performance.
