Bakary Soro is a football defender who currently plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor on loan from Osmanlıspor.
Background
Soro grew up in Anyama, the same Abidjan suburb as Ivorian internationals Arouna, and Bakari Koné, and in similar fashion to the latter, began his career at homeland club ASEC Mimosas, coming through their famed Académie de Sol Beni youth academy, run by Jean-Marc Guillou, before moving on to the ASEC first team
Career
He has represented Cote d"Ivoire at under-20 level and Burkina Faso in an exhibition game. Soro"s success did not go unnoticed, as he was called up to the Ivorian senior side for the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon on 5 October 2006, along with fellow ASEC player Didier Ya Konan. In November 2006, it was reported that he and Ya Konan had been granted trials with Premiership club Charlton Athletic, with the London-based side eventually signing him.
In January 2007, he signed a loan deal with Belgium Jupiler League Club Germinal Beerschot, making four appearances.
In August 2007 Soro moved to French Ligue 1 side Football Club Lorient, establishing himself in the first team for the 2008-2009 season. Soro left Lorient in September 2009, joining Arles on a free transfer in December 2009.
Soro represented Ivory Coast at the 2005 African Youth Championship and was named captain during the tournament. He played in games against Mali, Benin and Nigeria.
Ivory Coast were eliminated at the group stage.
Soro later switched international allegiance to Burkina Faso and participated in an exhibition game in Cannes against Gabon on 6 September 2010. He came on as a second-half substitute, making his debut under controversial Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte. Duarte gave international débuts to several non-Burkinabé players during his time as Burkina Faso head coach.
In 2012, it was announced that Burkina Faso had named Soro in their provisional squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.