Ansu Toure

Ansu Toure (born 18 October 1981) is a Liberian footaller who currently plays for Persiba Balikpapan in the Indonesia Super League.

Career

Youth and Amateur

Toure played five years of youth soccer with Genesis Football Club in his native Liberia, before moving with his family to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1999. He graduated from Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, before taking courses in sport management at North Hennepin Community College in 2005 and 2006. The midfielder's elementary school in Liberia was known as 'Mission for Today'. Toure also netted 27 goals in 14 appearances for the St. Paul Twin Stars in the National Premier Soccer League in 2006.

Professional

Toure first entered the United Soccer Leagues First Division with Minnesota Thunder in July 2006, and in two seasons with the Thunder, Toure scored six goals and added one assist in 34 appearances. Prior to the start of his second season in Minnesota, Toure played in eight preseason matches during a two-month trial with New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. During his spell with the Red Bulls, Toure scored a goal against Houston Dynamo as well as the game-winner against D.C. United. Bruce Arena commented on Toure that he had a nice hard shot and was getting better every week. Despite Toure impressing Red Bulls coach Arena he was not offered a contract.