Morike Sako

Morike Sako (born 17 November 1981 in Paris) is a French professional football player.

Morike Sako
Personal information
Full name Morike Sako
Date of birth (1981-11-17) 17 November 1981
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Position(s) Midfielder, Forward
Youth career
US D'Ivry
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 US D'Ivry
2004–2005 SR Delémont 5 (1)
2005–2006 Torquay United 25 (3)
2006 Rochdale 17 (3)
2007–2010 FC St. Pauli 71 (8)
2009–2010 FC St. Pauli II[1] 3 (4)
2010–2011 Arminia Bielefeld 10 (0)
2013–2014 Hessen Kassel[2] 14 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 June 2014

Club career

Early career

Sako began his career in France with US Ivry, leaving in 2004 to join Swiss side SR Delémont.

Torquay United

Sako joined Torquay United in July 2005, one of three French players, the others being Mamadoli Sow and Carl Priso signed at the same time by then Torquay manager Leroy Rosenior.[3] Sako was the most successful and popular of the three, playing 27 times and scoring three goals the following season, his league debut coming in a 3–0 defeat away to Mansfield Town on 13 August 2005. He was one of six players transfer-listed in October 2005 as Torquay struggled in the league,[4] but regained his place in the side and was taken off the list in January 2006 after Rosenior had been replaced by John Cornforth.[5] Torquay chairman Mike Bateson turned down an offer for Sako on the transfer deadline day at the end of that month.[6] He was surprisingly released by new manager Ian Atkins at the end of the season, despite playing in some crucial games as Torquay successfully fought off relegation to the Conference National.

He had trials with a number of clubs after being released from Torquay, including League One clubs Bristol City[7] and Blackpool.

Rochdale

In August 2006, Sako signed for League Two club Rochdale having impressed manager Steve Parkin.[8]

At the end of December 2006, Sako left Rochdale after being told his contract would not be renewed. He played twenty times for the club, scoring three goals.

He was on then trial at League One club, AFC Bournemouth.

FC St. Pauli

In January 2007, Sako signed a short-term contract until the end of the 2006–07 season to play for German 2. Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli after rejecting an offer from League 2 side Bury.[9] He later signed a contract with St. Pauli until the end of the 2008–09 season. Sako went on to play 71 matches for St. Pauli and to score eight goals. In the 2009–10 season, Sako helped St. Pauli to gain promotion to the Bundesliga.

DSC Arminia Bielefeld

In September 2010, Sako signed a one-year contract with an optional year's extension with 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld. He was released after one year, then spent two years without a club before signing for Hessen Kassel.

Attributes

Sako can play as either a striker or a midfielder – his height being used to win headers and flick-ons.

Personal life

Sako is the older brother of crystal palace midfielder Bakary Sako.[10]

References
  1. "Morike Sako" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  2. "Sako, Morike" (in German). kicker.de. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  3. "Rosenior squad nears completion". BBC Sport. 19 July 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  4. "Six put on list by Torquay boss". BBC Sport. 31 October 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  5. "Gulls hope to complete Affull loan". BBC Sport. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  6. "Gulls rebuff bids for forward duo". BBC Sport. 1 February 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  7. "Sako given more time by Johnson". BBC Sport. 17 July 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. "Rochdale secure services of Sako". BBC Sport. 25 August 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  9. Görtzen, Christian (31 January 2007). "Morike Sako wird beim FC St. Pauli zur logischen Alternative im Sturm" (in German). Welt Online. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  10. "Journal des Aigles 2/2 : Moriké Sako buteur !" (in French). Mali Football. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
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