Hamed Junior Touré has completed a loan move to Olympique de Marseille from Bournemouth, marking his return to French football after a standout season with Auxerre.
The Ivorian international, who scored 10 goals in 26 matches during a highly productive spell at Auxerre, now joins Marseille on a temporary basis with an option for the Ligue 1 club to make the move permanent.
Touré arrived at Marignane Airport earlier this week, where he shared his first impressions with La Provence, expressing excitement about the new chapter in his career.
“It’s a great club, a club that really wanted me,” Touré said. “I’m happy to be here. Now I hope to help the team, enjoy myself as much as possible, and try to achieve our objectives.”
One of the decisive factors in his move to the Stade Vélodrome was the presence of Roberto De Zerbi, the newly appointed Marseille manager and Touré’s former coach at Sassuolo.
Their previous collaboration in Italy left a lasting impression on the midfielder, who credited De Zerbi’s influence as a key reason for choosing Marseille.
“I’m happy to be back with him,” Touré added. “He’s a great coach. Everything went well during our time together in Italy. His presence definitely played a role in my decision.”
Touré’s arrival is seen as a boost to Marseille’s midfield options ahead of the new Ligue 1 campaign. Known for his energy, goal-scoring ability, and versatility, the 24-year-old is expected to bring both creativity and physical presence to De Zerbi’s squad.
His impressive run at Auxerre, despite the team’s relegation from Ligue 1, caught the attention of several clubs, but it was Marseille who moved decisively to secure his services.
The deal, structured as a loan with a purchase option, gives OM the flexibility to assess his fit within the team before committing to a permanent transfer.
Should Touré continue his upward trajectory, the move could prove to be a valuable long-term addition for a club aiming to return to the upper echelons of French football.
Touré began his professional career in Italy, making a name for himself with Empoli before joining Sassuolo, where he flourished under De Zerbi’s management.
His move to Bournemouth in the Premier League was seen as a step forward, but limited playing time prompted a loan switch to Auxerre last season, where he re-established his form with a series of strong performances.
His return to France, and now to one of the country’s most storied clubs, marks a fresh opportunity to compete at the top level and contribute to a side looking to make an impact both domestically and in Europe.
Touré has already joined pre-season training with Marseille and could feature in their upcoming friendly fixtures as the squad prepares for the new campaign. Fans at the Vélodrome will be eager to see whether the midfielder can replicate his Auxerre form in Marseille colours—and perhaps earn himself a long-term place in De Zerbi’s plans.
