Khouma Babacar     18      Winger/Forward     Fiorentina

Identified as a raw but gifted fourteen year old in his native Senegal by Pescara, robust attacker Babacar duly arrived in Italy in 2007. 

A string of impressive performances at junior level for the Serie B club alerted the attention of Genoa and Fiorentina, with the latter fending off stiff competition to secure the services of the teenager in 2008.  A good run of form for La Viola’s B side during 2009-10 persuaded Cesare Prandelli to call the youngster up to the first team squad.

Sensibly used sparingly by Fiorentina, who are carefully nurturing several exciting talents, Babacar is just 18 but great things are anticipated - although the ‘new Drogba’ tags which have surfaced in the Italian media are unlikely to do him any favours. 

Yet to make the bench for his club in 2011-12 which suggests this might be another year of gradual progress rather than an explosive season and a loan move could be a possibility later in the year. 

“Bristling with strength and goalscoring menace, the Senegalese boy they call Baba has struggled to get first team action in Florence. He declined to go out on loan in the summer in order to stay and fight for a place in the Viola attack but he has so far failed to find favour.” – Giancarlo Rinaldi (Journalist)

"Big, strong, powerful. Seems ideal as a supersub and has been used that way, but hasn't really made an impact yet. Might need Alberto Gilardino to leave, so he can partner Stevan Jovetic." - Michael Cox (Zonal Marking)

C-      Keep it going kid.