Burkinabè international Aboubacar Dango Ouattara has officially joined Brentford from Bournemouth on 16 August 2025, in a club-record move valued at about €43 million (around 28 billion CFA francs). The 23-year-old attacker signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year, making him the Bees’ most expensive signing ever and the most costly footballer in Burkina Faso’s history, surpassing Edmond Tapsoba.
Ouattara’s arrival comes as Brentford look to fill the void left by Bryan Mbeumo, who has moved to Manchester United. The deal signals the club’s intent to bolster its attacking options with a player capable of operating on the left wing, and also provides tactical flexibility to Brentford’s front line.
Career and rise
Formerly with SC Majestic in Burkina Faso, Ouattara moved to France with FC Lorient in 2020 before heading to Bournemouth in January 2023 for a then-record transfer of €22.5 million. In roughly a year and a half with his previous club, he racked up 88 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists. In a recent interview with Africafoot, Ouattara expressed pride at the transfer, saying he is excited to represent his country and family at this level and eager to show that African players, and those from Burkina Faso, can be trusted and valued on the world stage. He also highlighted his motivation to compete in one of the world’s premier leagues and to help Brentford achieve their objectives.
Why Brentford invested
The record fee reflects Brentford’s belief in Ouattara’s potential to deliver immediate impact on a squad that thrives on pace, versatility, and attacking dynamism. The attacker’s ability to play on either wing as well as centrally gives Brentford tactical flexibility to adapt to different opponents and match situations. The club hopes Ouattara’s explosive style and untapped potential will energize the attack and “make the crowds roar,” while providing a long-term asset as Brentford continue to push for consistency at the higher end of the Premier League.
What to expect next
– Role at Brentford: A key option on the left flank who can also contribute on the right or through the middle, providing goals, assists, and speed to stretch defenses.
– Immediate impact: A new source of pace and left-footed width that should help Brentford stretch teams and create scoring chances from wide areas.
– Broader significance: Ouattara’s move underscores the Premier League’s ongoing appeal to African talents and highlights Brentford’s ambition to climb higher in a competitive league.
Positive note
This transfer marks a historic milestone for both Brentford and Burkina Faso football, reflecting an exciting chapter for Ouattara as he embarks on a new challenge in English football. If he settles quickly and remains injury-free, he could become a defining figure for Brentford’s attacking play in the seasons ahead.
Summary
Aboubacar Dango Ouattara’s record-breaking move to Brentford from Bournemouth on a five-year deal positions him as a pivotal addition to the Bees’ attack, tasked with filling Mbeumo’s void and driving Brentford’s ambitions in the Premier League, while delivering a historic moment for Burkinabè football.