Elhadji Babacar Khouma (born 17 March 1993), known as Khouma Babacar, is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Turkish TFF 1. Lig club Sarıyer.
Club career Born in Thiès, Babacar began his career in the academy of US Rail in his hometown. Two years later, aged only 14, he moved to Italy and signed with Delfino Pescara 1936 after a successful trial.
In July 2008, Babacar signed with another club in the latter country, ACF Fiorentina, after also being tracked by another Serie A side, Genoa CFC. In the 2009–10 season he began training with the first team, coached by Cesare Prandelli.
On 14 January 2010, at the age of 16 years and 10 months, Babacar made his official debut for the Viola, starting against A.C. ChievoVerona in the Coppa Italia and scoring the 2–2 equaliser in the 75th minute of an eventual 3–2 home win. He scored his first league goal on 20 March, netting the third in a 3–0 home victory over Genoa.
On 31 January 2012, Babacar was loaned to Spain's Racing de Santander. He maiden appearance in La Liga took place 11 days later, when he came on as late substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Atlético Madrid.
Babacar netted ten times in 22 matches in the 2016–17 campaign, helping his team finish in eighth place. In January 2018, he joined U.S. Sassuolo Calcio on loan until 30 June as part of a swap deal involving Diego Falcinelli – his new club also secured an option to sign him permanently.
On 2 September 2019, Babacar was loaned to newly promoted U.S. Lecce on a season-long move.
On 21 January 2022, he signed a contract with Danish club Copenhagen until the summer of 2025. In August 2024, he had his contract terminated by mutual consent having not featured for the club in almost two years.
International career Babacar made his debut for Senegal on 27 March 2017, playing the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw with Ivory Coast that had to be abandoned in the 88th minute due to a pitch invasion.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFiorentina2009–10Serie A4111—522010–1118032—2122011–121000—102014–1520730522892015–1618510522472016–172210108431142017–1816421—185Total992711418812839Racing Santander (loan)2011–12La Liga8000—80Padova (loan)2012–13Serie B16111—172Modena (loan)2013–14Serie B412010—4220Sassuolo2017–18Serie A13200—1322018–1929720—317Total42920—449Lecce (loan)2019–20Serie A25300—253Alanyaspor (loan)2020–21Süper Lig258241028122021–2216313—176Total411137104518Copenhagen2021–22Danish Superliga14300001432022–2330000030Total1730000173Career total28974181219832694
Honours Copenhagen Danish Superliga: 2021–22
References
External links
Gazzetta dello Sport profile