Guinean Defender Zainoul Cherif Haidara Joins Tournai from Oud-Heverlee Leuven
Guinean central defender Zainoul Cherif Haidara has signed with Belgian third division side Tournai, as the club looks to bolster its squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Standing at 1.95 metres, the imposing 22-year-old was previously on the books of Oud-Heverlee Leuven but failed to break into the first team. Instead, he spent his time developing in the youth setup before opting for a move in search of regular senior football.
Haidara, who is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, is expected to bring both physical presence and versatility to Tournai’s midfield. His arrival reflects the club’s ambition to strengthen its squad early in preparation for a competitive campaign in the Belgian third tier.
Prior to his time in Belgium, Haidara played in Guinea’s top flight with Espoirs de Labé, a club based in the Fouta region, where he participated in multiple national championship campaigns. He also underwent trials at several notable clubs, including France’s OGC Nice and Belgium’s Racing Genk and KV Kortrijk — experiences that have broadened his footballing education despite not resulting in contracts.
While his effectiveness on the pitch will be judged in the coming months, the swift move by Tournai’s management to secure Haidara’s services demonstrates a clear intent to build a more competitive squad.
Tournai fans will be eager to see how the Guinean defender adapts to senior football and whether he can become a cornerstone in the club’s push for promotion.
