BRADENTON, Fla. – Just one week after joining the Revolution for preseason training in Florida, Mamadou Fofana is already starting to feel at home. The 27-year-old center back, who joins New England from Amiens SC in France, is eager to contribute to his new team as they build for the season ahead.
“Everybody has welcomed me here,” he said. “The first week was perfect. We are here, we work [well], we keep pushing, and I speak with the coach and the coach [explained] what he expects of me and what he wants me to do. I am very excited to play with my new team.”
According to Fofana, he had known Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo for many years, as Onalfo had been keeping tabs on him since he played at FC Metz in 2018-19. This year, with the Revs in need of defensive reinforcements, Onalfo decided to pick up the phone and give Fofana the call.
“I saw the project. I saw that they were building a new team and yes, I said, ‘Why not?’” Fofana explained. “I know it’s a big challenge for me. I have to work to help the team to have a great season.”
This will be Fofana’s first experience playing in MLS after most recently featuring with Amiens SC in the French Ligue 2. In addition to his time at Amiens SC, Fofana made 80 appearances for FC Metz, which included 37 appearances in the French Ligue 1. He has also represented his home country of Mali 44 times on the international stage and played with Turkish Süper Lig side Alanyaspor.
Fofana is excited about the opportunity to play in the United States and believes MLS is a place where he can find growth in his career. “I see MLS is a strong league," he said. "I know I can do one step more in my career. So, I know the league is very hard and I will work to help the team.”
Joining the team midway through preseason, Fofana has started to gain a strong understanding of the team’s training expectations. “You do one training, but a hard training, and after we rest,” he said. “So, it’s good. I can see the intensity. We work every day defensively, in the midfield, and when we attack.” Fofana has been working hard alongside fellow center back Brayan Ceballos, as they seek to build a strong connection on the Revolution backline.
Fofana’s relationship with head coach Caleb Porter is blossoming, as well, saying that he and Porter are aligned on the vision for what Fofana will bring to the pitch this season. “Before I came here, I spoke with him and he explained to me what he wants me to do. So, now I am here and all day we speak to each other and he tells me what he wants, and I try to do this,” he said. “But yes, we have a great relationship and I hope we will continue like this.”
With a strong foundation of experience in top European leagues and international competition, Fofana is ready to embrace the challenge of MLS and contribute to New England’s aspirations for the season. “I want to work, I want to improve myself, and I want to help the team to have a good season,” he said. “That’s why I say I am very excited, and let’s see what we’re going to do.”