Eric Simpore has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Jong KAA Gent, with the Belgian Challenger Pro League side reportedly exploring a move for the young centre-back from Ivorian club SO Armée.
The 19-year-old defender, listed as having no recorded market value, is understood to be on the radar of Gent’s under-21 set-up as they scour West Africa for affordable prospects. Transfer listings currently show the move as speculative, with the probability of a deal marked only as “?”, underlining that talks, if any, remain at an early and uncertain stage.
Simpore is contracted to Société Omnisports de l’Armée in Côte d’Ivoire, but with no public information on his contract start or expiry dates, observers have noted the possibility that a low-cost switch or even a free-agent scenario could develop if the Ivorian club opts not to stand in his way. For Jong KAA Gent, who compete in Belgium’s second tier, the chance to secure an unproven but physically developing centre-back without a stated market valuation may represent a calculated gamble.
Born on 8 October 2006, Simpore has been deployed primarily as a central defender for SO Armée, where his performances at domestic level have reportedly begun to attract overseas attention. While detailed match data is sparse, recent fixtures for the Ivorian side have continued to showcase his role at the heart of their back line, offering scouts a clearer picture of his positional discipline and defensive instincts.
Capped only at club level so far and representing Côte d’Ivoire nationally by eligibility, Simpore would join a growing cohort of West African talents using Belgium as a first step into European football. Should the rumoured move materialise, a successful bedding-in period at Jong KAA Gent could prove pivotal, potentially transforming the little-known teenager into a recognised defensive prospect on the European stage.
