We are delighted to announce that we have agreed a deal to sign Salford City captain Ibou Touray, on a free transfer.
Left-sided defender Ibou will officially join the club on 1st July 2023 upon the expiration of his contract at Salford, and will sign a two-year deal at Edgeley Park – becoming our first signing of the Summer in the process.
The 28-year-old leaves Salford as their record appearance maker, playing 272 times over a six-year spell at the Peninsula Stadium having joined from Nantwich Town in 2017.
A product of Everton’s academy, he was a key part of the Ammies side that won back-to-back promotions into the EFL, winning the National League North title in 2018 before emerging victorious in the National League play-offs the following season. Ibou played, scored and set one up in their 3-0 Wembley win over Dave Challinor’s AFC Fylde in the final, earning the club a first ever spell in the Football League.
He was back at Wembley the following season too, as Salford marked their first EFL campaign by winning the Papa John’s Trophy, beating Portsmouth on penalties in the final. Touray’s performances that season saw him voted as the club’s Supporters’ and Club Player of the Year.
Last season he played in 45 of Salford’s 46 league outings, with the only game he missed coming because of international duty. His performances down the left-hand side saw him register nine assists and contribute to 14 clean sheets, earning himself a place in the League Two Team of the Season for the second time in three years as Salford recorded their highest ever league finish.
Ibou is also a full international with Gambia, with 19 caps to his name since making his debut for the African nation in 2015. He was part of The Scorpions side that made history in 2021 by qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, the country’s first ever appearance at a continental tournament.
Touray was on international duty again as recently as Wednesday, starting in Gambia’s 3-2 win against South Sudan – a result that keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2024 AFCON in January.
Like many of his new teammates, Ibou suffered the agony of play-off penalty shootout defeat last season and will be looking to go one better this time around. He will officially join up for training at the end of the month, ahead of our pre-season trip to Pinatar.
Welcome to County, Ibby!
Director of Football, Simon Wilson said:
“Ibby is unlikely to need much introduction after his significant contributions to Salford over the last six years. He is a versatile, left sided player with all the ingredients we look for, is in probably the peak years of his career and we are delighted to have been chosen by him for his next chapter.
“We see his characteristics and experiences as a great complement to our younger players on that left hand side, and hope together we can achieve our collective ambition of promotion.”
First-Team Manager, Dave Challinor said:
“Ibby is a fantastic addition to our squad – what he’ll add down the left hand side of the pitch will be invaluable to us. He’s developed as a leader over his time at Salford and his consistent high level performances were recognised last season with his inclusion in the EFL League Two Team of the Season.
“He’s at a great age, at the peak of his career, and not only will he be a great addition to our group, we believe there’s growth and improvement in him which is really exciting. We are really looking forward to welcoming him into the squad in the coming weeks as we focus on another exciting season ahead.”
Watch Ibou’s first County interview below:
