Salomon Kalou: Ex-Chelsea And Lille Star Joins Djibouti Side Arta Solar

Former Chelsea and Lille attacker Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou has completed a move to Djiboutian club AS Arta Solar 7 on a short term contract.

The 36-year-old has been a free agent since April 2021 when his contract with Brazilian outfit Botafogo expired.

Arta won last season’s Djibouti Premier League which automatically guarantees them a place in next season’s African Champions League.

The former Ivory Coast star, Kalou joins other African stars in the club led by Cameroonian trio of Carlos Kameni, Alexander Song, Dany Nounkeu and Burkina Faso’s Aloin Traore who are on the club’s books.

Kalou started his career in Ivory Coast with local giants ASEC Mimosas before joining Dutch side Feyenoord in 2003.

After two seasons in the Dutch top-flight, Kalou signed for English Premier League side Chelsea FC for a fee around £9 million.

He won the Premier League, FA Cup (4 times), League Cup, Community Shield and the UEFA Champions League during his time in England from 2006 to 2012.

Kalou made his international debut in 2007 after Dutch rejected his application for citizenship and won a total of 89 caps.

He was part of the Ivory Coast side pipped to the ANC title by Zambia in 2012 and played in the team that won the trophy against Ghana in 2020.

Additional information: CAFOnline