Guinean striker Mai Traore has joined Sligo Rovers on loan from English League Two side Notts County until the end of June.
The 26-year-old links up with the Bit O’Red having played in several leagues across the continent before joining County. He has been capped at underage level for his country.
Traore started off in Congo with AC Ujana before signing up with Swedish side Vasalunds, scoring 23 times, contributing eight assists and winning a league with them in 2020.
Current Norwegian champions Viking snapped up Traore and he actually scored against Sligo in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Conference League in 2022.
The Conakry native has also spent time on loan in Belgium and with Norwegian side Tromso before a spell with Fredrikstad, with whom he scooped the Norwegian Cup, saw him earn the move to Nottingham one year ago.
"We wanted to bring in a centre forward who has pace and is direct in transitions and Mai matched those characteristics," Rovers boss John Russell said of his latest signing.
"He has played at a really good level in his career so far. We obviously know him first hand from the Viking game a few years ago so we’ve seen just what he can do and how he can punish teams.
"He has excellent movement in the box and with the attacking talent we have within our team, we can create chances for him.
"I know there’s a great motivation within Mai to come here, make an impact and score goals. We’re really delighted that he’s joined us."
Traore is also excited to play in front of the Showgrounds faithful once again, with a mark having been left on him since his last visit almost four years ago.
"Rovers feels like the right club for me at the moment," the striker stated.
"I already knew the club from playing against them in Europe and that gave me a good understanding of the environment and what the club is like.
"Viking obviously had a four-goal lead going into that second leg so it was so incredible to see the Showgrounds sold out, the noise was fantastic. It felt like the whole place had come out to support the club and the team certainly fed off that.
"I want to play in front of such an atmosphere and I cannot wait to make my debut."
