Patrick Ouotro: Ivory Coast forward set to join CS Maritimo after AS Nancy Lorraine spell

Ivory Coast striker Patrick Ouotro is poised to join Portuguese side CS Maritimo, with the former LYS Sassandra forward expected to sign a long-term deal with the club from Funchal on the island of Madeira.

The agreement will see the young centre-forward move to Portugal as CS Maritimo prepare for their return to the top flight, having been crowned champions of the Portuguese second division and earning promotion to the first division for the coming season.

Maritimo are looking to strengthen their attacking options ahead of their comeback in the elite, and view Ouotro as a key addition capable of adding depth and competition in the final third.

Long-term project in Madeira

Ouotro is set to commit to a contract of significant length, underlining Maritimo’s intention to build around emerging talents as they seek to re-establish themselves at the highest level of Portuguese football.

The club, based in Funchal, has been working actively on its squad planning since securing promotion, targeting players it believes can adapt quickly to the demands of the first division.

The recruitment of the Ivorian forward forms part of that strategy, with Maritimo aiming to consolidate their place in the top tier following their title-winning campaign in the second division.

Productive season in France

The move comes on the back of a promising season for Ouotro at AS Nancy Lorraine, where he produced a solid return in his first campaign in French football.

Last season, the attacker recorded four goals and one assist in 22 appearances in all competitions for AS Nancy Lorraine, figures that helped raise his profile and attract interest from abroad.

His performances in France followed his earlier spell at LYS Sassandra in Ivory Coast, where he first made his name as a goalscorer before earning the opportunity to move to Europe.

Now, with a long-term agreement in Portugal on the horizon, Ouotro is set for the next step in his career as he joins a CS Maritimo side focused on making an impact on their return to the Portuguese top flight.