It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 10 years since Al-Hassan Toure burst onto the national stage, as a 16-year-old phenom playing for the Croydon Kings in the SA NPL.

Toure’s power, pace and trickery had many within the sport proclaiming him as the next big thing in Australian football.

However, after a decade filled with trials and tribulations, Toure finds himself back in Australia and at a crossroads – signing a contract to play with Sydney FC for season 2025/26.

Alhassan Toure of Macarthur controls the ball during the A-League Mens match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC at CommBank Stadium, on December 11, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The move has taken many Sky Blues fans by surprise and they have been quick to voice their displeasure all over social media.

After being accustomed to seeing highly paid Visa players in the team’s frontline over the past few seasons, a move for a former South Australian prodigy; who is looking to restart his career – is seen as a backwards step for a club, that always demands success each season.

While many fans will point at some puzzling transfers for Al-Hassan in recent seasons, his full potential was never reached due to persistent injuries, which have blighted his nomadic career.

Toure burst into the spotlight scoring five goals in Adelaide United’s run, winning the 2019 FFA Cup.

The following January saw Toure suffer a stress fracture of the second metatarsal of his right foot whilst away with the Olyroos.

Then in September of the same year, Toure severely injured his ankle contesting a header in a youth team match, resulting in surgery to repair his fibula and syndesmosis.

His time in Adelaide came to an abrupt end after a training ground bust-up with then-manager Carl Veart over what position suited him better – Al-Hassan wanted to play as a right winger, but Veart made it clear; that he is a centre forward in his system.

Toure’s next step in his journey was with Macarthur FC, where once again he missed several matches due to a bad ankle injury.

Living away from his tight-knit family and friends in Adelaide for the first time, was also extremely challenging.

In 2023, there was an interesting move to Eyüpspor, who at the time were the best-financed club in Turkey’s division 2 – however, he was immediately loaned out unsuccessfully to Şanlıurfaspor.

The next stop in Europe was with AC Ajaccio in France, where he was able to rekindle his goal-scoring touch, bouncing between the first team and reserves – before the dreaded injury curse struck again.

Toure missed half the season due to calf and leg-related injuries and left before Ajaccio were relegated from Ligue 2 to Championnat National on an unsuccessful appeal.

After a short team deal with FC Tulsa in the USL Championship, Al-Hassan finds himself back in Australia, hoping to rekindle his spluttering career.

Sydney FC is perhaps the hardest club Toure could’ve signed for, as many players have wilted under the weight of the badge and playing for the biggest football club in Australia.

South Australian players, however, have experienced success there though – Ian Fyfe and Ben Warland won trophies in the past, Alex Mullen played in the Asian Champions League and current players in Alex Popovic & Jordan Courtney-Perkins will be hoping to join them with Toure in season 2025/26.

Given the way Sydney FC play under head coach Ufuk Talay, a fit Al-Hassan Toure would be extremely useful in a 60-minute cameo from the start.

Perhaps it’s just my wishful thinking in knowing the player and his family personally for the better part of 15 years and remembering him run amok at the old Polonia Reserve – with a big smile on his face.

In reality, though, the season is still three months away and there is every chance the Sky Blues will splash the cash and sign a Visa #9 – relegating Toure to a bit-part role.

The big question is, can Sydney FC keep their new signing out of the physio’s rooms to contribute this upcoming season?

Sometimes the past has a way of catching up, even years later – it’s unfortunate for Toure, who could have been Australia’s generational striker with a bit more luck.